This article by Sherry Borsheim, a Paper Tiger Expert of Simply Productive, gives statistics and many reasons why it would bring a great return on investment to take time out to get organized and de-clutter everything around us! How much does your stuff or clutter cost you?
Also check out Sherry’s Organizing Bootcamps that will give you a JUMP-START on ORGANIZING your office, home and life. She will give you her trade secrets and steps to setting up your organizing systems, including recommending Paper Tiger filing system software for document management, to be organized and manage the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical stuff in your life.
Why is that we set boundaries around so many areas in our life but let our stuff take over our space and effect our quality of life? How many times do you trip over the same pile of shoes at the front door day after day or open a closet door and hope that nothing falls on your head? How much time do you waste looking for your keys every morning or are late for work because you couldn’t find anything to wear that morning?
Enough already of the insanity and stress of too much stuff! How many iPods do you really need? Stop checking your email all day long. How many shoes hurt your feet when you wear them? What clothes sit in your closet that you haven’t worn in the last 18 months? What about all the books piled on your night stand and the piles of magazines collecting dust. And how about all those greeting cards, keepsakes and sentimental items. And what is disorganization costing in your office?
According to an organization study done by Office Depot in 2006:
So why is it that only 22% actually spend the time to organize their desks, physical and electronic files, to increase their productivity every day? The study goes on to say that only 49% set aside time to organize on a monthly basis and approximately 67% are not sure how to start or maintain their organizing systems.
I’ve gathered some interesting statistics on the cost of clutter and disorganization in time, money and quality of life. Seriously consider what clutter and chaos is costing you in your home and/or business. It can be a real eye opener when you calculate the cost associated with your chaos and disorganization. It opens your eyes to the additional stress you may be putting on yourself and others, or how unproductive you are in your business. If you’re disorganized it effects your quality of work, your co-workers, your customers and family members. Disorganization has a ripple effect but often times we don’t slow down to access the real costs.
Clutter really is stuck energy and it stops you from moving forward. Clutter also attracts dust and grime which in turn affects the quality of the air you breath in every day. The effects of clutter, chaos and disorganization impacts your life and those around you more than you may want to admit. All good reasons to de-clutter your stuff. Mental clutter is another area that shows up in your physical space. If you have a cluttered mind, often times, your space is cluttered too.
The good news is you may only need to spend a few days or a few weeks to be more organized and then the quality of your life improves, your productivity soars and new opportunities may even open up for you. 3M survey says that individuals rank ‘getting organized’ in the top 5 items for their New Year’s resolution. So, how are you doing with your New Year’s Resolutions? If you need some help, we have many resources at Simply Productive to help you de-clutter your home and office.
Take a few minutes to review the Organizing and Time Management Statistics and check off the ones that apply to you.
Tags: Clutter, Declutter, get organized, Productivity, professional organizer
I just spent 4 weeks in California, cleaning out a house that was in utter chaos. I ended up throwing out the equivalent to 6 dumpsters full of stuff. During my archival dig, I found a $100 savings bond. It took longer than I wanted to, but felt good when I got done with what I could before having to leave for home in Arizona.
Arriving home was a little deflating. I have same situation here that I had there. I am taking one step at a time. It will be hard but the success I feel is gratifying. Tomorrow is my day to do paperwork. I have my filing coded and ready to put away. I got Paper Tiger software several years ago and love it. There has been several times that I needed to find a document, and was able to put my hands on it fast. I recommend this program often.
Lorie,
Thanks so much for your commenting on our blog post from Sherry’s article. It sounds like you had a huge job. Best wishes on the accomplishment of getting your 2nd home organized! We appreciate you using Paper Tiger, and so glad to hear that our software helps you find your paper files when you need them. Don’t forget that you can index other physical items as you’re organizing. When you’re done, you’ll be able to find anything fast – not just paper! Thanks again, Janet of the Paper Tiger team