It’s amazing that we have so much stuff. Between paperwork, toys, clothing and gadgets, our homes are fuller and we have less time to maintain it than ever before. So how do you say goodbye to the clutter before company comes and (gasp!) looks in the closet. Never fear. Read on for a foolproof plan to motivate and encourage you to say goodbye to the clutter for good.

1. Schedule a time

Decluttering, especially in large amounts, is something that is best done when you’ve set aside specific time to do it. Commit to only focusing on cleaning the clutter; don’t get distracted with other things. You’re bound to come across things that you need to do. Put those things on a to do pile or to do box and deal with them after you’ve spent time decluttering.

2. Get your tools ready

As with any task, the proper tools make all the difference. My favorites? Garbage bags, boxes, a folding table, markers, measuring tape, pen and note pad and a labelmaker (if you have one). Garbage bags are great for gathering donations and trash, of course. Boxes have a nice open “mouth” for tossing things in. The best use for boxes that I’ve found is to put things in that I want to put in another room, paperwork to shred, etc. A folding table is great for using while sorting through the stuff so you have a work area rather than straining your back bending over. Markers can label boxes. Measuring tape is invaluable. Use it to measure spaces where you need shelving or container bins so you’re sure of the fit. Pens and notepads are great for jotting down things that you need to do that come up while you’re decluttering. To dos get written down as well as put on a pile so you won’t forget what’s on that pile! Having a labelmaker doesn’t make you organized, but it sure can help you get there. Labelmakers are much better than they used to be. It’s like have a portable computer and printer with you. Feel free to go overboard with labels. By labeling a specific spot, you’re designating that place for something specific. It’s powerful stuff!

3. Stop moving stuff from one spot to another

One of the main reasons that people hire an organizer is because they’ve tried and failed to get out of the habit of moving things in a particular room from one spot to another and then back again. The key is to determine the best location for the item you are currently holding and then get it in that general direction without leaving the room. For example, if you are in the home office and have cups and plates in there, move these items to the door to go to the kitchen, if you have photos and they belong in the home office closet, but that closet isn’t yet organized, simply designate a box or two for photos and start to put all of you photos in that box. Group like items together even if they aren’t in their “permanent” home. By doing this, you’ll quickly start to create order to the room. Even in the midst of mess, if you know that you’re gathering all of your office supplies in one box, you’ll simply drop office supplies in that spot rather than trying to shove it in an over-stuffed closet until you are able to get the closet cleaned out.

4. Don’t let it get out of hand

Don’t dread organizing. It’s an ongoing process. Even after a system is created, it must be maintained, but a good, well planned system is truly a joy to maintain. Once a week, you can do filing, work through your to do pile and be on top of anything that you need to get done without being overwhelmed. If you avoid maintaining your system or don’t have a good flow after cleaning, you’ll find that it will quickly return to disarray. Perhaps being organized is on your to do list, but you just need a little bit of help. Find a professional organizer in your area and get started. For motivation and more information, visit my website at http://www.organizeitall.com.

Organizing helps you to keep your mind focused on the more important things. If there’s a particular room in your home that you avoid, then it’s time to set aside the time to organize!