It’s spring and everyone is psychologically motivated to purge, de clutter, get organised etc. This mania of Spring Cleaning is a phenomenon that is popular in the West but not necessarily ‘a thing’ in other areas of the world. Some have expressed admiration for this annual purge that we embrace.
As with all de clutter projects, there is the remnant pile of items that need addressing. They are things you have decided to keep but they need attention. This is called the backlog. Primarily, the backlog is a real issue when it comes to paperwork. Boxes of papers that you have not dealt with and they are now taunting you with chants of guilt and failure.
Many are focussing on maintaining their daily tasks so as to function better long term. Great, but what about the old stuff we have neglected over time? Two words – PACE YOURSELF.
Decide to decide, once and for all. Choose a regular, reasonable time to start dealing with it. This is very subjective; it may be 30 minutes a day, 3 hours a week, one day a month etc. Stick to your schedule, put it in your calendar and keep the date with yourself. Set yourself up for success – eat before you start, go to the bathroom, put a show on or a playlist and dig in. Set your timer and just start. When the timer goes, you are officially done.
Tidy up and leave it ready to start again on your next backlog attack date. These dates may be a part of your routine for many months. They may only take a few days or weeks.
Regardless, you will be making progress and gaining gradual control of your space. The very fact that you have started will be very powerful in ensuring your success.
As with all de clutter projects, there is the remnant pile of items that need addressing. They are things you have decided to keep but they need attention. This is called the backlog. Primarily, the backlog is a real issue when it comes to paperwork. Boxes of papers that you have not dealt with and they are now taunting you with chants of guilt and failure.
Many are focussing on maintaining their daily tasks so as to function better long term. Great, but what about the old stuff we have neglected over time? Two words – PACE YOURSELF.
Decide to decide, once and for all. Choose a regular, reasonable time to start dealing with it. This is very subjective; it may be 30 minutes a day, 3 hours a week, one day a month etc. Stick to your schedule, put it in your calendar and keep the date with yourself. Set yourself up for success – eat before you start, go to the bathroom, put a show on or a playlist and dig in. Set your timer and just start. When the timer goes, you are officially done.
Tidy up and leave it ready to start again on your next backlog attack date. These dates may be a part of your routine for many months. They may only take a few days or weeks.
Regardless, you will be making progress and gaining gradual control of your space. The very fact that you have started will be very powerful in ensuring your success.
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