Clutter Busting: The Clutter Busting Olympics

The players all want the same prize; a life of simplicity and contentment: a world free from clutter, missed appointments, and misplaced items. Their training in the past has included countless organizing books, shows, and magazine articles.  Today is the day when they find out if they have what it takes to actually use what they have learned.

There are 2 major roadblocks between our players and perceived success, and they are the previous winners, “Guilt” and “Fear”. It does not help that these two live permanently in the minds of our team mates. They may act like they are out with only the best intentions for our beloved players, but instead they can knock them to their knees and make it impossible for them to go forward. If you listen close you may even hear them talking to you right now:

“But it once was useful, or perhaps it was a gift. How can you possibly get rid of it? That is just being wasteful,” says Guilt.  Fear adds, “Now, not so fast… you may need it someday. Who knows it might even someday make you some money!”

There will be many obstacles our team members will have to navigate through:
Malls
Yard sales
Online auction sites
Holidays
Catalogs
Television shopping channels
Home parties
Supercenter stores
And more!

In order for our players to win the ultimate prize, they have to remember the 5 golden rules that their coaches have been teaching them:

#1 Stop comparing themselves to others. More than once I have heard the hoarder complain about the waster instead of focusing on his/her own issues, “Well, at least I am not as bad as him!”

#2 Start where they stand: don’t worry whether they are doing it right or wrong, just start!

#3 Let go of the excuses and the labels that they put upon themselves. The “I can’t do it, and this is the reason why…” mentality.

#4 Remember it is not about what they own, the focus needs to be on what owns them.

#5 Reach for an achievable goal; letting go of the grand perfection fantasies of a clutter-free, stress-free life! Instead look for a new goal of living life with purpose and intent!

There is no way of telling whether our players will reach success; with bags of donations loaded in the car and clear and uncluttered futures, or fall short of the gold and take the walk of shame with their carts loaded with unneeded and unnecessary items. The exciting news is that if our players fail to rise to the challenge today they don’t have to wait another 4 years! Tomorrow morning promises a fresh new day, although a warning that the champions” Fear” and “Guilt” will be waiting and watching right around every corner. One last warning to our team members: keep your eye on the new sneaky roadblocks, “You deserve it,” and “Charge it now, you can pay for it later.”

Lastly, remember the old adage, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game!” Live your life with purpose, love the people in your life more than the things that surround you, and laugh every chance you get!

Betsy