Two ideas will trouble us, and cause clutter, if we let them influence us. These two ideas are, “I’m in too big a hurry to take care of that now. I’ll get back to it later.” and, “It’s not that important.” And so we leave something undone when we could have nipped the problem in the bud, and prevented clutter, by taking care of it right away.
1. I’m in too big a hurry to take care of that now. I’ll get back to it later. This is a biggie. If you go around thinking this all day, you’ll have clutter piles everywhere when it’s time to go to bed! Examples of this kind of thinking: not putting away leftovers right away, leaving shoes by the door instead of putting them away, not hanging up clothes or towels right away, leaving an undone project out because you’ll “get back to it later.”
Sandra Felton, the Organizer Lady, says, “If something takes less than 30 seconds to do, do it right then.” I tested this theory with my nine year old. I timed him as he closed an open dresser drawer: 3 seconds. I timed him as he hung up a shirt he had left on the bed: 11 seconds.
2. It’s not all that important. It’s just too easy for us to abandon our dream for a nice, clutter-free house by forgetting what we really long for. We lose our focus temporarily and clutter results. Example: leaving cabinet doors open, not clearing the dining room or kitchen table completely.
So watch for those twin troublesome thoughts. They may fly through your brain but don’t let them build a nest there. Instead, neutralize them by saying the opposite to yourself. Repeat, preferably aloud, “I will take time to do it now,” and “It IS important. I will take care of it.” Develop good mental habits in these two areas and your life will change.
