Do the Closet Purge!

         Before                                            After                                    

I'm hearing a lot of "decluttering" and "simplifying" themes from my friends in discussions of New Year's resolutions for the new decade.  Finally did the "Closet Purge" myself recently: 1) Take every item OUT of the closet; 2) ONLY put back what a) fits, b) feels good, c) you think you'll actually wear; 3) Donate the rest; 4) Hang the "keep" items BACKWARDS (facing the opposite direction you normally hang them). Grand Finale:  Any items still hanging backwards at the end of the year (meaning you haven't worn them) get donated.

You may even find some long-forgotten things stuffed in the back of your closet that have come back in style (or be a trendsetter, and bring the style BACK yourself!).  Maybe even save some $$ this year, and reduce your clothing shopping.  Happy purging!

(Note:  Here are a few links to Chico organizations to consider taking your "purged" items to:  ARC, Salvation Army, The Shop (American Cancer Society), The Jesus Center)

Getting Things Done

Having read this book, Getting Things Done (The Art of Stress-Free Productivity), late last year, I wasn't surprised to hear in a review today on NPR that "Tech Junkies" have embraced some of the concepts and applied them to the Wonderful World of Computers. "GTD," as the book (and method) is apparently known by its devoted practitioners, has inspired blogs, web sites and even software.

In my personal and business life, the book truly did help to get me more organized (something I'm always striving to do). I revamped my entire filing system, instituted new "in" and "out" boxes (actually lovely baskets) for my assistant and myself, and started keeping "To Do" lists in the "Tasks" section of my computer. These are separated in the following areas: "Computer," "Phone," "Office," "Home," and "Errands." Each week I update each list in the computer and then print out updated lists, which I carry around in a clipboard folder (which I find easier to add to and check off as I go about my week).

Some of the web sites which have evolved from "GTD" are davidco.com (the author David Allen's official site), 43 Folders, LifeHacker, Getting Things Done (My Experience with Using GTD), and Office Zealot. Here's to a more organized, simplified and lower-stress life!