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It's About Time
Ruth Wong
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Reality check on progress
Is this the year you are really getting organized? As we near the end of 2005, here's a recap of this year's columns to view tips presented, with the suggested action steps.
If you've been taking action, I trust you are well on your way to having things under control.
1. In January, I wrote that a trade-off must be made in order to be more organized. Identify your goal; e.g., less mess and stress, less haste and waste, more time and space, more freedom and fun. Did you give up television time to organize? Or some of your "stuff" to gain more space? Are you avoiding impulse purchases that merely add to the clutter?
2. I encouraged those who've been unsuccessful following a master plan to begin organizing in bits and pieces, doing what you can in the area most frustrating to you. What areas did you organize? Have you maintained that order?
3. In February, I presented a simple system for handling mail. Have you been using "DA RAFT" and making a Decision and taking Action (Refer, Act, File, or Toss/shred)? Have you been handling each day's mail that day?
4. I shared a simple system for bill paying and filing using a shallow accordion file. Did you create a simple system for bill paying? Was it easier to find what you needed at tax time?
5. In March, I explained that putting off today's tasks just makes tomorrow's more stressful. Inventory things you've been procrastinating on and take some action each day. By doing so, did you experience the satisfaction of getting things done?
6. I also wrote about how "the smallest deed is greater than the grandest intention" and encouraged you to take the smallest action, no matter how small. That is better than big ideas that never get done.
7. In April, I invited you to join me on a Sort and Purge mission. Pick one room to start, identify and keep your treasures and things you would probably (instead of possibly) use and donate or sell the rest. Are you freer from some of your excess?
8. I encouraged you to be a gatekeeper for your home so that it doesn't become constipated with too much coming in and not enough being eliminated. Are you equalizing inflow vs. outflow? Is your home more comfortable and livable?
This brings us to the end of this year's first quarter's columns. How did you do? Have you been a doer or just a reader? If the latter, it's not too late to get into action!
See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail
features@starbulletin.com