Information to help you let go Copyright 20092010 Cena Block Sane Spaces Organizing tips brought to you by Sane Spaces Designed by Cena Block The MomPreneur Clarity Catalyst ID: 187680
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Conquering Clutter: Information to help you let go(Copyright 2009-2010 – Cena Block, Sane Spaces)
Organizing tips brought to you by Sane Spaces
Designed by Cena Block “The Mom-Preneur Clarity Catalyst” Owner of Sane Spaces Organizing & Productivity Consulting
Presented by
INSERT YOUR LOGO & TITLE HERESlide2
Sane Spaces MissionSane Spaces helps you get ‘unstuck’
using a whole systems approach. We’ll eliminate clutter and get you organized at home or in the office so you can stop wasting time and money. Creating, working and living in
a supportive environment gives you the freedom to live the life you want. Slide3
Have you ever said things like…
I may use this some day…How long am I supposed to keep this? My best friend gave me this… what if she asks about it?
I hate it but I’m afraid to get rid of it because she will come over and ask where it is…I’m going to finish this someday when I have more time!
But it’s perfectly ‘good’ … there is nothing wrong with it!
It’s part of a collection!Slide4
The DefinitionInsanity is defined as: Doing the same things over and over again
yet expecting different results.Albert EinsteinSlide5
Asking & Answering Why
Reflecting on what you do and why you do it gives you the power, freedom and choice to change your behavior.Slide6
Why People Keep Things
Unresolved Anger/Sadness EmotionsPerceived Value
Incomplete Past/ ChildhoodPerceived Importance
Past Happiness or Reward
Incomplete Past
FearSlide7
ThoughtsBeliefs
EmotionsActions
Acquiring/SavingAvoidanceFatigueSelf Worth
LovabilityVulnerability
Pleasure
Pride
Satisfaction
Fear
Grief or Loss
Guilt
Anger
Thoughts, Emotions, Actions ModelSlide8
Thought StrategiesExamine and Evaluate Your BeliefsUse List of Questions to challenge beliefsUse Socratic questioning to examine the logic of beliefs
Do the beliefs match common knowledge and facts?Use other cognitive strategies such as taking another perspective, pros and consUse behavioral experimentsSource: Gail Steketee, PhD Dean and Professor Boston University School of Social WorkCo-Author: “Buried In Treasures”Slide9
Detoxify Your Thoughts About ThingsMaking Peace with the Things in Your LifeCindy Glovinsky, M.S.W., A.C.S.W.
Consider changing your negative thing thoughts…‘Should’ Statements – Trying to meet “other’s” expectationsAll or Nothing Thinking – If it’s not perfect, it’s condemnedMind-reading – Imagining critical thoughts of others… don’t assumeDiscounting The Positive – When one room is messy – you say “the house is a disaster”Personalization - When others mess and you say it’s youBlame – Blaming others for the messLabeling - Using words like “slob, packrat , pig”Horriblizing – Exaggerating the circumstances and “as-is” condition: “It’s hideous, a nightmare, a disaster, it looks like tornado came through here!”
Source: Gail Steketee, PhD Dean and Professor Boston University School of Social WorkCo-Author: “Buried In Treasures”Slide10
Downward Arrow TechniqueThe following techniques developed by Gail Steketee, PhDDean of Boston School of Social Work & Co Author: Buried in Treasures
What would happen if you threw that out?“I’ll never find it again.”Why would that be so bad?“I would lose an opportunity.”What would be so bad about that?“I’d be stupid for not taking advantage of an opportunity.”What’s the worst part about that?“Just that, I’d be a stupid person.”It sounds like you are worried that if you threw this out, that would mean you were a stupid person. Let’s take a look at that idea. “I guess I never thought about it. I do worry about doing something stupid.”Sounds like you also worry that you might be a stupid person. Does that seem right?
“Yeah, I guess so. All through school….”Slide11
Questions for Feelings of LossGiven your goals and values, if you get rid of this, what have you lost? What have you gained?
Can you tolerate this (negative) feeling until it goes away?Is there another way to think about this?Should we hold a funeral to help you with what the loss of this item represents? I’m serious.Source: Gail Steketee, PhD Dean and Professor Boston University School of Social WorkCo-Author: “Buried In Treasures”Slide12
Socratic Questioning: Thinking it Through LogicallyHow likely is the negative outcome you fear?What evidence is there to support the belief?How catastrophic would this be?
How well could you cope with not having this?How much distress would you feel?How long would the distress last?Can you tolerate with feeling? Is this coming from sometime or someone in your past?Source: Gail Steketee, PhD Dean and Professor Boston University School of Social WorkCo-Author: “Buried In Treasures”Slide13
Identify What You Must KeepPrioritizeSlide14
Legal RecordsWarning! Information provided by Sane Spaces is not legal advice! Please seek legal counsel to determine your actions
Birth, Death, AdoptionMarriage & Divorce RecordsReligious RecordsBlueprints, Deeds & TitlesLease AgreementsStocks, Bonds & InvestmentsPersonal Property InsuranceHousehold Items/AppliancesAppraisals for Valuable Items (including sales receipts)Legal PapersLiving WillsPowers of AttorneyMilitary DocumentsPassport & Travel DocsMedical Records & DocumentsX-Ray RecordsGovernment Records Original Contracts Regulatory Compliance RecordsBanking Information
Salary, Benefits & Pension RecordsUnion ContractsSlide15
Legal RecordsWarning! Information provided by Sane Spaces is not legal advice! Please seek legal counsel to determine your actions
Check with legal counsel to determine what is a legal record “anything that sets the information in time”Records must be stored in a cd format and be unalterable Storage systems need controls to ensure integrity, accuracy and reliabilityMust have an audit trail with a complete and accurate transfer of records to have courts to see a document as legalIs a scanned document a legal record? If system has:Reasonable controls to prevent and detect deteriorationIndexing system to assist in finding recordsSystem must have the ability to print copies of the recordsMust be able to cross-reference the other systems and softwareSlide16
How To PurgeDon’t ask hypothetical questions, ask behaviorally significant questions based on today
Do I love it? Do I love how it looks/makes me feel?Is it treasured or beautiful?Does the item make me happy?Do I need this to function?Do I have space for it?Do I have a plan to use this? Can I get it elsewhere?Will someone else benefit more from this at this time?Does holding on to this item keep me in the past?Does keeping this help meet my personal goals?
Will getting rid of this help my hoarding problem?Have I used it in the past year?~ if > 1 year, toss, bag or remove from the space and check back in 6 monthsSource: Gail Steketee, PhD. Dean & Professor Boston University School of Social Work Co-Author: “Buried In Treasures”Slide17
Household ItemsSee Handouts – www.thenest.comIdentify what is outdated:Kitchen
PantryBathBasementAtticAreas where consumable goods are storedSlide18
File and Paper Storage“…so HOW do I do it?”Records Categories
Permanent FilesRotating (Remove/Replace) FilesActive Files/Action FilesMonthly FilesTax FilesArchive FilesResource FilesFor more information: Paper Management 101- Cena Block Sane SpacesPower Office! – Cena Block Sane Spaceswww.FreedomFiler.com; www.PaperTiger.comSlide19
Storage“…and where does it all go?”Storage
Back up electronic information n separate locationLockable File Cabinet/ Safe/ Safety Deposit BoxFireproof Safe Electronic Media needs to be regulated for electronic media – In a real fire, the fireproof box has a lower temperature melt because paper is more sturdy, but there is a higher theft riskOpen Bookshelves/Traditional Filing SystemUsual for paper, books, open filing cabinetElectronic Files Reduce searchable space, cannot work when power is out, set the information in time – different states and laws may require data to be kept in a specific formSlide20
Where did all this information come from?www.storyofstuff.comSites to help declutter and reduce:
www.irs.govwww.thenest.comwww.spicecheckchallenge.comwww.findnfile.comwww.freedomfiler.comwww.securita.comwww.vitalvault.comwww.storyofstuff.comwww.sanespaces.com
Products Tab: Time To Toss It!Google Search: “how long do I keep ___”Slide21
Conquering Clutter: Information to help you let go
Copyright 2009-2010. Cena BlockThis is an informational packet and does not serve as counsel or legal advice. Please seek the advice of a CPA or Attorney for your unique situation. You can find a great recycling article on my website.Cena Block is the owner of Sane Spaces Professional Organizing and Productivity Consulting, a professional services firm that offers residential and business organizing, training, life coaching, and motivational speaking to individuals and organizations. Contact Cena at (570) 351-7146, by e-mail at
cena@sanespaces.com, or visit www.sanespaces.com