Last week, I presented to a lovely group of women and made them laugh by expressing my love for clipboards.
I do love clipboards.
They are so useful! They keep our important papers corralled and are easy to find in a crowded briefcase. They provide a sturdy surface for writing, are inexpensive and are available in lots of snazzy colors.
I love more than just their physical attributes, though. People feel empowered when holding a clipboard, and that power shows on the outside. Imagine – a crowded room with people milling about and one is carrying a clipboard. If you need direction or information, you will go and ask the clipboard carrier.
What’s not to love?
In my Clear the Clutter presentations, I suggest that folks grab a clipboard to start their organizing plan. With Spring here and lots of projects to tackle, it’s the “Grab Your Clipboard” time of year again!
Here’s what you do:
(Updated, Spring 2022: You can achieve the benefits of the “Clipboard” by using technology, as well, or even just an extra notepad! Most of my “clipboard” notes go into Evernote and then into my Master To-Do list, but the thought process and the results are the same!)
Grab your clipboard, paper and a pen. Walk from room to room in your home and note the projects, organizing and otherwise, that you would like to accomplish in each space. For example:
- Master Bathroom: clean out under sink, find new wall art, buy new shower curtain
- Dining Room: clean out coat closet, paint trim, wash windows
- Hall closet: talk to electrician about updating the light fixture
- Home Office: organize book cases, clean out bottom file cabinet drawer, recycle old printer
You may find that some of your rooms are just fine as is. If so, congratulations! Pat yourself on the back, and move on to the next room! Keep this process up, taking notes but not action, until you’ve addressed all the areas of your home, inside and out.
Review the room-by-room list on your clipboard. You may realize that the solution to a couple of projects may be the same step. For example, “update light fixture” in the closet and “add security light to garage” would require just one call to your electrician. Or if you want to get rid of an old family room couch and bedroom dresser, you might arrange one charitable donation pick-up to take care of both.
Glancing at the list, you may also notice recurring themes. Let’s say “Move the pile of books” is on the list for every room. It seems a house-wide book review and purge may be in order!
Right now, this clipboard activity generated a wish list instead of an Action Plan. So now you need an ACTION PLAN!
Pick one project to start. Just one, not all of them at once! Pick one.
- Your #1 Priority may be clear. For example, a client who is having surgery needs the main floor bedroom organized before her surgery date. Obviously, she knows where to start! However, if you’re not sure…
- Start with the hardest project, since that may take the longest overall;
- Line up an assistant for the project requiring heavy lifting or two people;
- Start with the project that will help you right away and every day, like the kitchen cabinets or your closet; or
- Just pick the one that seems like the most fun, to boost your motivation!
- The most important step is to JUST START!
Pick your project, set aside some time on the calendar to get it done (either a big block of time on a weekend or evening, or in a handful of shorter sessions), and get going!
Keep your clipboard and list handy, and once the first project is complete, refer back to the clipboard list and tackle the next most important project. Happy Organizing and Happy Spring!
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