When it comes to decluttering, we often find more ways to not do it than the number of items that need our attention. Typically, that type of procrastination stems from thinking you have to get it all done in one shot. And while you may have problem areas that will need some work, you should also address that habits that continue to create the need to declutter.

Here are five ways that can help the former and the latter:

• Set a timer for your decluttering efforts – Rome wasn’t built in a day and that’s probably true of the areas in your home that need some work. Set a timer to work on those problem spots for a certain amount of time so that you’re not overwhelmed and discouraged. Ten minutes a day on a cluttered area can make a big difference over a week. Ten minutes is also a manageable and unthreatening amount of time.

• Find a declutter buddy – Sifting through your stuff alone makes a dreary task even more so. Find a friend or family member to either help you or just be nearby while you declutter. This not only provides you company and alters your mind frame a bit, but it gives you a sounding board or someone to cast a deciding vote on items you’re not sure about getting rid of.

• Go through your mail daily – Nothing like snail mail to create a clutter spot wherever you happen to put it. Going through your mail and siphoning out the catalogs, flyers and other things you probably don’t want is a great way to keep the mountain to a mole hill.

• Your launching pad – Everybody’s got a place where you keep the essentials–keys, glasses, wallet, etc. If you have several of those I’m guessing it’s a problem that’s making you late for work, appointments and other things. Designate a home for those things you need to have on your way out the door.

• Keep similar items together – How many of you keep the wrapping paper in a closet, tape in the kitchen and scissors at your desk? Come the holidays or birthday time, the simple wrapping of a present has you all over the house. How about keeping things that go together–e.g. wrapping paper, tape and scissors–in the same spot or at least the same area? You’d be amazed at the time you save and the stress you reduce.

For more tips of this nature, check out next month’s enewsletter. If you need some help putting some of these suggestions into play, give me a call at 508-246-6120.