Wow – we’ve reached Organizing Mission #52! Can you believe it?

If you’ve been following along with the missions week by week, you’ll have made enormous changes to your home, productivity and life. You’ll have simplified, decluttered and organized many, many areas. Awesome!

In this mission, we’re going to set some resolutions to help maintain the gains we’ve achieved, using my 3-Cubed Formula.

If you want to hold on to your simplified, decluttered and organized home, work and life, then read on!

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #52:
Simplify Your Life

Think about how much more time, energy and happiness you have now that your life is a little more organized. Good, huh?

To hold on to these good feelings, all you have to do is make a few changes to your habits. Nothing drastic; just simple, practical principles that will help you maintain a sense of order and keep clutter at bay.

So with that in mind, get yourself a pen and some paper or open a new document on your computer, and let’s get started.

Step 1: Make 3 Simplifying, Decluttering or Organizing Resolutions (20 mins)

Decide on 3 simplifying, decluttering or organizing principles you’re choosing to live by.

They don’t have to be huge.

Small changes are fine, and can be a good way to gradually increase your confidence so you want to take on more challenging goals.

I suggest starting with 3 resolutions. Any time you feel you’ve got something pretty much under your belt, replace it with another.

You don’t have to be perfect.

You can stuff up from time to time and just start again the next day. No problemo. It still works.

Here are some examples of resolutions you can choose from – or make up your own:

• I only shop when I need something, not to pass the time
• When I shop, I stick to a list
• I don’t buy things just because they’re on sale or a bargain
• Whenever I buy something new, I donate or discard something old
• I add at least one item to my donation basket every day
• I include cleaning up as part of the task
• I do not join catalogue mailing lists
• I respect my home’s boundaries and only buy/keep what I can neatly store
• I make quick decisions about where things go
• Every time I feel clutter accumulating I fill a trash bag, declutter 50 items or donate 50 items
• I repeat the 52 Organizing Missions program every year.

Choose your 3 resolutions and write or type them up neatly.

Step 2: Place Copies of Your Resolutions in 3 Places
(10 mins)

Make 3 copies of the resolutions and put them in 3 places around your home, car, office, or wherever they’re most relevant and useful.

For example, you could place them:

• In your wallet
• On your bathroom mirror
• In your diary
• By your bedside
• On your noticeboard
• On your fridge
• On the microwave
• In the car glove box
• On the car dashboard
• On the TV
• As your computer screensaver
• As a recurring appointment in your PDA or iPhone.

Choose your 3 places and put a copy of your resolutions in each one.

Step 3: Read Your Resolutions 3 Times a Day (ongoing)

Your mission is mostly done.

Now all you have to do is keep your focus on these simplifying, decluttering or organizing resolutions. A good way to do that is to read them to yourself 3 times, most days.

If you’ve chosen good spots, this will happen organically as you go about your day. If not, you may have to experiment with different places.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t seek perfection with your resolutions; aim for progress instead. You’re more likely to achieve it, and less likely to drive yourself and everyone else mad.
• Do replace a resolution that has become a habit with a new one. That way you’ll keep on expanding the benefits of a beautifully simplified, decluttered and organized life.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do this mission as a family. Agree on resolutions you’re all committed to for a more harmonious and ordered home and family life, and encourage and support each other as you put them into practice.
• Do this mission with a group of friends. Choose your resolutions individually, but decide to meet or touch base once a week. You can then review your resolutions together, and support one another in turning your resolutions into habits.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment. 

[Image: by annia316]