It is often said that a cluttered desk is the sign of a creative mind. But in reality, instead of breeding creativity, clutter has the exact opposite effect. Having too many things lying around can actually inhibit creativity for a multitude of reasons.

1) Clutter is distracting. Having clutter around, while we are trying to do something, throws us off track. Instead of inspiring us, clutter competes for our attention and draws us away from whatever we're supposed to be focusing on. It's impossible to give our full attention to something, when we're surrounded by visual chaos. When I'm working on something, whether it's something for my business or a hobby, like scrapbooking, I clear my work area of everything except what I'm using at the moment. Doing so gives me a sense of calm, and draws my mind directly to the project I'm doing.

2) Clutter sends a 'not done' message. Think of your creativity as a construction job site. When construction is underway, there tends to be things everywhere, as anyone who has ever built a house can tell you. As the project draws to an end, there are fewer and fewer things left lying around until finally the construction is complete. Completion translates into order and neatness. When clutter surrounds you, it sends a 'not done' message to your brain slowing the creative process.

3) Clutter slows progress. Having a lot of things lying around can be a recipe for disaster in the creativity department. Having to rummage through piles of paper in order to locate misplaced files or notes can significantly slow down your progress, as well as interrupt your flow of ideas.

4) Even when it's undercover, clutter can wreak havoc. We probably think of clutter as tangible objects in our homes or workspace. Although that is true, not all clutter is tangible. Digital clutter can have the same damaging effects as the physical type. The constant buzzing or dinging of incoming email/text/social media messages and notifications can easily draw your attention away from your task at hand and onto your device. When you want to get something done, 'quiet' the clutter. You can get back to email during your scheduled email checking time. Temporarily silence social media notifications.

5) Clutter can take over your mind. Emotional clutter is much like physical clutter. It stems from hanging onto old emotions long after the moment has passed. This can be from something that happened a few hours ago, or a few weeks ago, or even longer. Whatever the case, emotional clutter will continue to hang around unless we ourselves choose to let it go. Having emotional clutter can really hurt our creativity because our mind is overtaken with things that have happened in the past, (or that MIGHT happen), instead of what's occurring right now.

I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day that says it all...

'Clutter is anything unfinished, unused, unresolved or disorganized. When you clear your clutter, you create space for new things and your energy and creativity will increase.'

The Get Organized Now!
Garage Sale Tool Kit...
Get Rid of Clutter
AND Plan, Promote and Profit
at Your Next Garage Sale

getorganizednow.com/garage-sale-toolkit.html

Garage sales are a WONDERFUL way to get rid of your clutter. Yet, it's no fun planning and setting up for a garage sale, just to find out you have just a few customers throughout your day, little more than your starting cash, and a whole lot of your stuff at the end of your sale.

If you've been frustrated with the work and energy you put into your garage sales...with little profit to show for it when you're done...the Get Organized Now! Garage Sale Tool Kit is for you!

The methods shown in the Get Organized Now! Garage Sale Tool Kit have helped people get rid of stuff they don't need, plus make $500, $750, even $1,000+ at their Garage Sales--and it can help you do the same.

Here are all the components:

• How to Make a Bundle at Your Next Garage Sale
  
  
• Garage Sale Countdown: Your 6-Week Checklist
  
  
• Garage Sale Tools and Equipment Checklist
  
  
• Sample Garage Sale ADS That Work
  
  
• Garage Sale Examples of Signs, Flyers and Stickers

GON Top Ten: Top 10 everyday routines that can damage your body
getorganizednow.com/topten-damage-body.html




GON Featured Video: Would you share a meal with a stranger?
getorganizednow.com/video-meal-stranger.html






Dirty Little Secret: This 2-ingredient concoction can keep your feet soft and smooth...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-feet-smooth.html




Mini Challenges: Do you ever have the type of week when it's a challenge to even put your shoes away? Here are 7 mini challenges that you can get done... even if you're having a rough week.

getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-rough-week.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

GON Monthly Organizing Checklist: March into a super-organized month. Start today with our NEW March 2018 Organizing Checklist!
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Do You Know?: What percentage of adults haven't read a single book in the past year? What's one of the highest forms of relaxation? Find out on our home page
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Social Media Feature: Give your best organizing advice in 4 words or less. Access the link to this social media feature on our home page
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Web Poll: Which of the following do you do:
* Drift off into never-never land when others are talking
* Focus on my cell phone way more than humans
* Bite my nails
* Procrastinate...the word 'later' is one of my favorite words
* Snack when I'm not hungry
* Buy things that I can't afford
* None of the above. I'm pretty perfect!

Visit our home page and vote in our new web poll. Choose all that apply. You'll get to see up-to-date results immediately.
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Theme of the Week: Our theme of the week is 'worries' and my home page quotes reflect that.
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1) Spring forward. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 11th. If applicable where you live, don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. Plus, maybe get yourself, and your family, to bed an hour earlier, since you're losing an hour of rest.

2) What chores do you want to get done this spring? Spring is fast approaching. Get a head start on spring cleaning by simply 'knowing' what TO DOs are coming up. Make a list of everything you want to clean, repair, build, etc. once winter is officially over. This goes for home AND your job or business.

3) Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure they're working properly. When you spring forward, get those batteries replaced. Be sure you test each detector in your house. If the unit does not respond properly when tested, get a new unit immediately. Most only last 8 to 10 years before the entire unit needs to be replaced.

'Do other people, I wonder, find the same keen pleasure that I do in periodically undertaking a pilgrimage all over the house to wage a war of extermination upon its accumulations of rubbish?'


--~Chiffon, 'The Woman of To-Day,' 1898




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2018 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

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