Clutter Superbowl

Clutter SuperBowl I ~ You v. Clutter

Look around your home or office and find one of your clutter trouble-spots. Is it your kitchen counter. Maybe your desk? Your clothes closet? Your filing cabinet? Your dining room table? The whole family room?

Once you find it, this clutter spot is the opposing team in Clutter Superbowl.

You versus the Kitchen Counter or You versus the Closet.

Just like the actual Superbowl, your game will be comprised of 4 quarters of 15 minutes each.

1st Quarter:

Set your scoreboard (egg) timer for 15 minutes. During this time, come up with your game plan. Get all of your supplies together -- trash bags, recycle container, etc.
Setup a clear area for the things your going to keep. The 'Keep' area should be small and several yards from the clutter area. Promise yourself not to overfill the keep area. Also, by having it several yards away you will be less likely to put everything you find back into the keep area. The farther away you need to walk the better.

Turn on your voicemail/answering machine to retrieve incoming calls. Tell your family you cannot be interrupted as you're "Gearing-up" for the big game. Put some energetic music on.

Preparation is a major key that should never be skipped. When the timer buzzes, start the 2nd Quarter.

2nd Quarter:

Set your timer for 15 minutes. During this time, begin tackling your clutter. Pick each item up, one by one, and put it into one of 3 piles:

1. Keep
2. Donate/Sell/Return
3. Toss

Your goal is to have the toss and donate piles larger than the keep pile. Work quickly and make a firm decision on everything you touch. When the timer goes off, stop. Do a few stretches, and move on to the 3rd Quarter.

To help make a decision about each item (very difficult for some peopel) ask yourself the following questions and answer logically, not emotionally:

• How often do I use it?
• Have I ever used it?
• Do I have more than one of the same thing?
• If I get rid of it, will I lose the memories attached to it? ~ "No!"
• Do I have a place/spot for it where it will look good or be useful?
• Do I know someone that will use it?

3rd Quarter:

Set your timer for 15 minutes. Take the donate pile and put it in a box or trash bag right by the door that you use to get to your car. On your next trip out, put the box in the car and drive over to your local charity and drop it off. Or, if your chosen organization will pick these items up from you, make a call now to arrange a pick-up time.

If you're going to return it, put it in the car so you'll have it the next time you go to the store or friend's or relative's house.

If you're going to sell it, put it in the garage/yard "Sell" pile. Or, get the ad placed in the newspaper, the online auction or classified web site.

Take everything in toss pile, and put it in your trash receptacle or recycle container, so it's ready for the garbage or recyclable collectors. Do this until the timer sounds.

4th Quarter:

Set your timer for 15 minutes. Take everything in your keep pile and put it where it belongs. If there is not a designated place for it, either rethink your decision or find a place for it. Can't find a place? Toss or donate it, now.

If the timer sounds before you're done, go into overtime. An additional 10 to 15 minutes can bring you the winnning touchdown.

Post Game Wrap-up:

You are the Superbowl champion! Now spend some time celebrating. Take a 30 minute break. Treat yourself with your favorite dessert, drink or distraction. However, your distraction cannot be shopping for more junk to clutter your home.

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