Sigh.
The addition of some time-sensitive tasks to my already full to-do list had inadvertently invited some old habits back to roost. Apparently, my reversion to my drop and run organizational style had created more clutter than I realized.
I wanted to spring into action but, those aforementioned time-sensitive tasks?
Still not done. And still at the top of the list.
But I couldn't let it go, so I decided to chip away at it a little bit at a time. I decided that every time I passed the counter, I'd pick something up and put it away.
A few trips later, I was pleasantly surprised to see clear space -- one of the reasons I love this tactic. Here are three key reasons something so simple can be so satisfying.
It's approachable. Tackling the piles one item at a time fits into even the busiest of schedules.
It identifies what has a home...and what doesn't, making it easy to figure out which systems are working and which are not.
Progress is almost immediate. Picking up and putting way even just a few items shrinks the piles and, after a few repetitions, might even yield some clear space.
My counter is still not completely clear, but I've met my deadline so it won't be long until I can dig in in earnest. In the meantime, small steps yielded a payoff that kept things in a holding pattern until I could give the task the time it needed.
Lisa 1, Clutter 0.
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