The ABCs of Decluttering Your Home

Having trouble being bit by the organizing bug? It's really as easy as A-B-C. Just follow these simple steps and see a change in your home in a short amount of time.

A: AIM TO REDUCE CLUTTER BY A DEFINITE NUMBER. When getting rid of items, have a specific goal in mind. Instead of saying you want to get rid of SOME of the books on your overstuffed bookshelf, say you want to get rid of 50%. Don't say you want to get rid of a FEW pairs of shoes, state you want to donate 10 pairs to charity. Focus on reaching your goal.

B: BRIBE YOURSELF. Make something you really love to do dependant on the completion of today's task. If you promise yourself you won't call your best friend until you organize your medicine cabinet, you're sure to finish the small task. No cheating!

C: CHOOSE A SPECIFIC SPOT FOR KEYS. Take the time to return keys to the chosen spot after each use.

D: DUMP JUNK MAIL into the recycling bin or trashcan the moment you receive it. Deal with other mail at least once a week.

E: ESTABLISH MINI-GOALS. If you can't face organizing an entire room, break the job down into manageable tasks. When cleaning your closet, sort shirts one day, skirts the next, shoes the next, and so on. This way you won't be put off decluttering because it is too big of a task.

F: FIX IT OR DITCH IT. Have you ever put aside broken items to fix "one day"? Chances are these items are still broken. Immediately schedule a date on your calendar (one week from today is ideal) and repair them by the time the date rolls around or finally toss them. If they're not important enough to repair, they're not important enough to keep.

G: GIVE EVERYONE THINGS TO DO. Organizational chores should never rest on a single person's shoulders. Hold every capable member of the household responsible for their own clutter. Penalize people for noncompliance.

H: HANG A LARGE FAMILY CALENDAR IN THE KITCHEN. Write appointments, lessons, meetings, etc. on the calendar so everyone can see what's happening this week. Each family member should have his or her own color so you can tell who's doing what with a single glance.