My inspiration-this gentleman that has reduced down to living in his truck and traveling the country!

Your secret is out!  I know you have somewhere in your house, your basement, or your storage unit that BIG project you keep putting off.  You want to create or plant something new but your energy is drained by all the stuff already started and sitting undone. If you are like me it might be years of accumulation on your computer that you keep saying you will go through (yes, this includes photos).  Or maybe you have boxes of memorabilia stashed in the closet that you just add to each year and close your eyes. Maybe it’s the room to you started to create for painting and it is still waiting.  Let’s get real, most of us have at least one project we want badly to do but life never allows us a year off to get it done.  I have hope for you and a simple solution.

I was inspired to write this yesterday when speaking to a NAWBO (National Association of Woemn Business Owners) group on freeing themselves from the clutter to be more present in their business.  Everyone shared what organizing project would be most meaningful to take on this spring.  I heard a familiar story.  “I have mountains of piles and so many boxes filled with photos and memorabilia I want to scrapbook.  And now my daughter wants to get involved and help.  But we just keep moving the piles and making a bigger mess. I don’t know where to start!”  I found myself sharing one of my golden guidelines that I now want to share with you…

Start by organizing just the stuff for this year.  Start with NOW.  Use S.T.A.C.K.S on the photos for 2011 and get a simple system in place.  Take this year to use your simple system and then when you feel ready add just 2010 to the goal for this year.  You will rediscover the joy in doing the project and enter the land of accomplishment.  I then suggested that she just keep the old stuff neatly boxed up and take one or two former years with each new year as she moves forward.   Over time the bigger project will get done or will lose its importance. 

SEE IT (Take a look at where you’ve been)

The Garage is waiting attention...

Ask yourself which ONE project would you most want to do this year?  Then simply write or share the story with a loving witness.  For my personal life I have chosen to reduce my 15 boxes of memorabilia to the true treasures, have them scanned and turned into books.  For my business, I am going paperless for most of my storage and setting up a simple present time storage system on my computer.  However, for both of these I will start with this year and work back as I am suggesting to you.  It feels fabulous!

MAP IT (Make a plan for where you want to go) 

Write down the vision or the value to you of getting the project done this year.  Commit to a person when you will be doing this.  Making a simple mind map can also help.  My vision is to be free to start new creations and live fully in present time.

DO IT (Take the steps to get it done)

The Garage is ready for play

Use S.T.A.C.K.S.  for getting the project done with joy and ease.  Remember the power of “one step at a time” for sort, toss, assign, contain, keep it up and simplify.  I have scheduled the months of May – August to complete my two biggies.  I have set up accountability for getting it done.

PLEASE share with me what project you are choosing and any success you experience along the way.  I would love to hear from you. 

Marla Dee