8D Clutter Control

 What Is 8D Clutter Control?

 A close friend of mine works in the automobile manufacturing business. Well, at least he does now (December, 2008). Who knows what is going to happen with the automakers in the coming months.

Anyway, he was describing to me a problem solving method that is used in a lot of the auto industry called 8D. 8D is short for Eight Disciplines. The basic idea, as I understand it, is that there are eight steps that you must follow in sequential order from 1 through 8. Each step provides valuable information for the next step. If you skip a step or don't thoroughly complete a step you probably won't have all the input needed to solve the problem permanently. Sounds darn scientific and logical. Are scientific and logical redundant? Maybe!

That got to me thinking about the eight rules I teach my clients to help them keep their clutter under control. I can usually get my clients to let go and clean out their cluttered homes. However, if I don't help them learn how to keep it out I have only done half of the job.

So, here are my 8D (Eight Disciplines) to help you keep your home clutter-free.

Discipline # 1

Put it in its proper place. The last thing you need is tons of stray, homeless items strewn about. When you're done using something, don't put it temporarily on the table, the counter or another random surface. Put it back where it belongs---in its designated home. Don't have a designated home? Find an appropriate place and claim it as a home for this item.

If you can't find it a home, why do you have it? Get rid of it.

Discipline # 2

Be sure it meets your 'OK to Buy' criteria. If you see something at the store that you're thinking of buying, don't buy it until you know: where you're going to put it if you really need it (go home first and think about it if you're not absolutely sure). If you can't come up with a place for it don't buy it.

Discipline # 3

Keep things you love and/or use. If you have things that you never use and/or that you're not too fond of, don't take up precious space in your home with those things. Save your valuable space for those things that have lots of meaning and/or that serve an excellent purpose.

You must be self-disciplined in letting go of things that you think  you love. If it has been gathering dust stuck away or covered with other junk you don't love it enough to take care of it. Out it goes.

Discipline # 4

Ease your guilt. If you're keeping something you don't like and/or you don't use because you're feeling bad about getting rid of it, try to ease that guilt by giving away the item to someone you feel may really enjoy it and/or put it to good use. Another alternative is selling that item at your next rummage sale.

Or, give it to your favorite charity. You know that they will find a home for it where it will be appreciated and used.

Discipline # 5

Get them on your side. No matter how much you want to get and stay organized, your family members may not share your vision. Entice them to join your crusade, by rewarding them for completion of tasks such as putting their clothes in the hamper, emptying the dryer when the cycle has finished, and cleaning up their rooms at the end of each day. Perhaps they can build points or star stickers that can eventually be traded in for fun prizes like a movie outing, a new DVD or a batch of their favorite cookies. Hey, everyone could use a little bit of motivation, right?

Discipline # 6

Use the rotation system. If you have lots of things you really love, but your problem is finding space to display everything, know that you don't have to display everything you have at once. Keep a Rotation Box or two in the basement, attic or a closet. Display some things now, and store others in the boxes. When the season or the mood changes, rotate some items out of the box, and those currently on display back into the boxes. You'll be able to enjoy everything you have, without that cluttered feeling.

I rotate the stuff on my walls about 3 or 4 times a year. I'm always surprised because I have forgotten about a treasured item and finding it my rotation boxes feels like Christmas.

Discipline # 7

Ask for gifts that don't clutter. Drop hints whenever necessary to ensure you get gifts that don't add to your clutter. Some possibilities are a gift certificate for a manicure, movie tickets, homemade cookies, or free cell phone minutes. Some families and friends even go so far as to hand each other wish lists so they only receive things they will use.

Discipline # 8

Be ruthless. A big part of getting and staying organized starts in your own mind. If you're only somewhat interested in being organized, chances are your home is only going to be somewhat organized. However, if you're absolutely adamant about following systems that will help you eliminate clutter, then clutter will never have a chance.

Make it easy for you and the family to get rid of things you don't want or need. If junk mail, magazines and newspapers collect in piles around the house, put recycle waste paper cans in the rooms where these items collect.

Put a donate box close to the door(s) you use most often to exit your house. Ask the family to drop their stuff in the boxes on their way out. Put a trash can close to where you open or sort your mail. Throw all the unwanted mail in it immediately.

Conclusion

Keeping your home clutter-free is all up to you. Remind yourself - You're In Control".