1.       Brainstorm then list all the spaces (home and work) that you want to de-clutter or organize. As appropriate, be sure to include storage units, piles of business cards, desk drawers, and the trunk of your car!

2.       Prioritize the list. What area(s) of your home or work space makes you the most crazy? Have you put off a home repair because clutter prevents access to that space? Do you want to start small and then work up to the messier areas?

3.       Make a list of people who might help you clear your path. You will want to work with objective, non-judgmental (and physically strong!) friends or family members. Offer to reciprocate and help your friends clear their own path of clutter and chaos.

4.       Go through your calendar for the entire year. Note the days and times when you have to be at work, the dates of long weekends, and dates for visitors, vacations, and conferences.

5.       Get a sense of when you can logically begin (and complete) a de-clutter project. For every hour that you spend de-cluttering, you will need another hour to organize. Too many people do not complete their de-clutter project simply because they didn't leave enough time to do the work.

6.       How long it will take: Depending on the mess and clutter, and with the idea that you will do this work with a friend, here are a few estimates:  Garage - 1 day; Kitchen - 4 hours; Bathroom - 2 hours; Desk - 3 or 4 hours (depends on paper piles); Living/Dining area - 4 hours; Bedroom closets - 3 hours.

7.       Together with the person(s) who assist you, plug-in your de-clutter projects into your calendar for the entire year. For projects that will take you outdoors, be sure to consider the weather!

8.       Supplies: for most projects you will need a big supply of plastic garbage bags. For the garage you may need to order a 3- or 4-yard dumpster. Other supplies may include a label maker, boxes for items to be donated, paper/felt-tip pens to mark areas for sorting (trash, donate, keep, recycle), and gloves.

9.        Avoid purchasing anything that you may think will help you become more organized. The time for buying shelves, bins, or containers is after each organizing project when you will know exactly what you plan to keep. Everything you plan to keep should have a "home" within your home.

10.   Maintain your motivation: List all the reasons why you want to de-clutter and become more organized! Post the list where you will see it often. Conceive, believe, and achieve your goals! Remember: you are not your clutter.        

11.   Good luck and call if you need me!