Show me the Stuff...

"Show me the Stuff! Show me the Stuff! Come on, you can say it! Show me the stuff! Louder now..."

I am positive that is the question I am being asked over and over again in my life. My children want stuff for their birthdays and are given so much stuff. I remember getting a few Barbies® a year as a child – my daughter got seven on one birthday. At stores I am convinced I need more stuff. I attend friends parties which are really only trying to sell me stuff. I attend a trade show, and they give me free stuff. I, myself, am guilty and buy stuff.

How much stuff do we need before our brains turn into those of stuffed animals…so squished and full we cannot think. Last night I did a presentation on Hypertasking – the next step beyond multi-tasking where you appear to be doing so much at once yet are actually accomplishing nothing. Stuff in our homes and in our minds has caused this. We can’t just clean a room – we have to move stuff. I am lucky enough to have (whoa – wrong wording – I work hard enough and feel I deserve) a cleaning lady. Yet before she comes I encourage the family to move our stuff. Clean before the cleaning lady – NO but would I rather pay her to pick up toys or vacuum and dust?

So how do we deal with the stuff? This definitely comes down to MomManagement™ as we are in charge of most of the household stuff. Our stuff (which we have little time to pay attention to), Dad’s stuff – we wash it, move it, clean it, and take care if it; kids stuff – we, well same as Dad’s stuff. The communal stuff – like towels, dishes, food, or pets – yup, those are moms as well.  

The MomManagement™ Guide to Stuff: CLEAR…yup clear it up – not necessarily out but become clear on whose stuff it is, the purpose of it, and why you have it. How do we do this…why we C.L.E.A.R. it! (By the way this works for internal stuff as well!)

C – Classify

Before we can fix a problem we have to determine what it is. What areas of your life are overwhelmed by stuff? What areas of your home drive you crazy? What are your busy times of day? What causes you stress? What is the difference in your mind between treasures, stuff, and junk? (Does your family agree?) What is the difference between being busy and overwhelmed?

Classify these pieces in your mind and decide which areas need tackling. We are all good at most of our life management pieces so only work on what drives you CRAZY…

L – Location

Where are my keys? Where is that report? Where are your library books? Where is… Location is a key part of sanity. Think about this…Right now, are you wearing underwear (if not I don’t want to know)? If yes, where did you find them this morning? Were you running around your house naked and in a panic yelling where are my undies? Where are they? I am sure I left them here yesterday?... No likely you are safely protected by your undies but are hunting for your keys, cell phone, daytimer, etc…If we can find our undies on a daily basis because they have a home, can we not find a home for other important things – a key rack, a basket at the door, a homework shelf, a file, a… the ideas are endless.

This also applies to our minds as well – location may not be a spot but a time. There is a time for email, meetings, voicemail, and most importantly time to work and focus so you accomplish your goals.

E – Extras

But…This doesn’t fit in my goals, it doesn’t have a home, it doesn’t make sense BUT it needs to be done. Life is life and is great but not perfect. We do find spare screws, knobs, keys, notes, buttons, ideas around that we have no idea where to put. For the spare stuff having an “I don’t know what to do with it or what it is” box is a great idea. For the spare paper have a miscellaneous file to put them in.

Now for all the stuff… this means at times you need to relentless. Before buying classify – is this a need, a great want, or an extra? How many blue t-shirts do I need? How many black shoes? How many...If you must have it – eliminate the extra point by getting rid of something else!

A – Action

Action means something is happening, and you are making a change. If stuff bugs you, and you want to change it – this is the time. If, however; in being totally honest with yourself you like all your stuff, this is the plan to deal with it.

Action is part of a plan – an action plan! This is when you honestly look at your stuff (physical and/or mental) and deal with it. Create a plan and become active...

Based upon your C – you have classified your trouble spots and now is the time to assign the next step L’s to them – locations. A – is the action plan to make it happen. Below is an example of how to deal with a troubled room:

1. Allow yourself enough time to complete the room (or assigned task)

   
   

2. Get everything ready

• Garbage bags

• Cleaning supplies

• Boxes

• Keep

• Give Away

• Not sure

• Snacks, music

• Paper & Pen to make notes

  
  

3. Ask yourself what is the function and purpose of this room/area?

• Bedroom – sleeping, talking, couple time

• Work

• Children

 

4. Choose 1 area of the room to begin with

• 1 drawer, closet, shelf

 

5. Ask yourself the question again, “What is the function of this area?”

   
   

6. Take everything out and for each item decide:

• Should I keep this?

• Should it be in this area?

• Should I give this away?

 

**PUT IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX**




7. Clean area out

   
   

8. Think again about the purpose of the area. Does it make sense? Maybe you should change the purpose? Maybe you should move it? Look at what comes out – this is usually a sign of what the real purpose should be.

   
   

9. Put only the things back in that are functional to the purpose

• Only socks in sock drawer, no work items beside bed

• Put everything else in appropriate box

 

10. Deal with the boxes. Put items that you want to keep in appropriate places, pack away unsure items, and give away/garbage the rest.

R - Review And Revise

Change is difficult and it takes time. After organizing an area in your life, home or work; keep tabs on it for a few weeks. Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down any comments you have – what works, what doesn’t, and new ideas. Life is always changing so be careful of looking for the non-existent perfect solution and find the practical one – for now. Continue to make changes based upon your notes and go through your “I’m not sure boxes/decisions” after about 6 months and see if you can make any plans.  If not leave them for a few more months.

By the way…We live in a society that assigns a value to having a lot of stuff. You have to decide what stuff means to you. This goes far beyond need as need versus want can be and is very hard to determine. The MomManagement™ decision line is this:

IF YOU complain you have too much stuff - YOU DO

IF YOU still buy it - ASK Yourself WHY?

Do you need it? Do you want it?

IF YOU complain you have no time - NONE of us has time, we make it

IF YOU ARE WASTING TIME - Figure out where your time is going

IF YOU … You get the picture. YOU are in control!

I would love to hear your ideas and solutions to your stuff! Please drop by the mommanagement.blogspot.com to share your favorite tips on how you deal with your stuff!

Tracy Lyn Moland is a time and mom management expert. For more information visit her website www.TracyLynMoland.com or read her best selling book, Mom Management (tgot, 2003).