I use a ‘do it now’ rule as I write down my to-do lists. If the task takes less than 3 minutes to do, it’s better to do it now than to even write it down! This can be anything from sending a quick text message to returning a phone call or even something like picking up the dog toys or brushing your teeth. It’s not worth the time to write these tasks down on your list. Instead of writing it out, just do the actual task! Even if it delays you writing out the rest of your list. You will feel more confident about tackling your list, knowing you already have a head start!
The ‘touch it once’ rule can apply to any clutter in the house! I especially love using it for surface clutter. We get a lot of random things placed on the kitchen counter. Anything from dishes and cookware to gum wrappers, remote control cars, or even the occasional dog toy! No thanks!! To touch something only once means that you pick it up where you found it, and you put it away where it belongs. There is no putting it down anywhere, but it’s final resting place! Don’t move it to the other counter or the other room. Pick it up and put it away. It’s that simple!
When you mix the two rules, I tell you, that’s when simple magic happens!
Sometimes, you may need to make a to-do list if you’re really deep cleaning the kitchen or any room. Then, sometimes, you just gotta jump in and tackle the clutter. Writing down tasks like “remove the remote control car from the counter” may take more time to write than just moving the car! But if you want to make a big impact in the room in a very short period of time, then mix the two rules!
Not only are you picking up that remote control car, but you are putting it where it belongs – better yet, get whoever put it there to pick it up and put it away in the exact location where it belongs!!
Start by standing in one corner of the room that you want tidied. Just tackle one item at a time! Even if it means you are picking up over 100 items in a relatively short period of time! That means that over 100 items were dealt with! Whether they went into a donate area, garbage area, or put away in their homes. That’s a lot of tidying and, hopefully, decluttering!! It might be a slower process for decluttering, but it is definitely more thorough and more finished!
It’s easy to focus on the room, but that can also make you too overwhelmed to bother to start decluttering and tidying.
Change your focus to each item. Start now! Touch each item only one time. Hold it to take it where it goes and put it down where it belongs!
Combining these two rules can help streamline your thought process about each item. As long as you are touching it, you have to deal with it!
So, do it now, and touch it once! And, get rid of that clutter!!
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