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Clear the Decks! – October Clean Out 3

Decision Making· Freedom· Habits & Routines

22 Oct

If we were sailors onboard a ship, former procrastinators, we might hear the command, “Clear the decks!”   That’s prepare for action by removing anything that might hinder progress.  Maybe there’s a suspicious ship on the horizon, maybe rough seas.  We’d move any excess gear out of the way so we and the decks would be available for whatever lies ahead.  Nothing to trip over, nothing not needed.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just weeks away.  We’re starting plans for hosting, travel or both. Some of you smarties are well into shopping.  Let’s look at two areas we can declutter now in order to better use our space and time and set ourselves up for cheerier holidays.  These are “onion options” – decluttering in spots as we peel the layers of excess clutter.  If you use the Kondo method, you’ll come to these.

Perspective:  Kitchen counters are our work space.  When covered with papers, jackets, groceries, or excess decoration, the space we need is not available.  This creates stress and ill will.  Designating kitchen counters for meal prep and clean up means we ourselves, roommates, and family learn to respect that space and keep it free.  Remove clutter and designate spaces where papers, sweaters, etc. should go.

Counter Project:  Removing décor has helped our counters.  One corner has a platter on an easel.  The window sill gets a vase for flowers.  That’s it.  The biggest help has been removing seldom-used appliances.  The electric can opener left long ago.  The bread maker works just as well in the basement.  Remove seldom-used items from your everyday path.  For more on this, see Counter Clutter in Your Everyday Path September 25 , 2017.

Perspective:  The entry way of our homes greets us and others as we come in.  At our house everybody and everything comes in the front door.  It’s where we’re inclined to plop stuff as we pass through. Stuff left there is an immediate stressor when I open the door.  Again, removing excess and designating places for what’s needed helps solve the problem.

Entryway Project:  We said farewell to extra coats, caps, cracked boots, most snow gear, vacuum cleaner parts, fanny packs, leashes.  Stuff that must be in this area needs a designated spot that can be easily maintained. Shoes will not stay in a row.  Utilize baskets; mount low hooks.

Favorite tips:

  • Unsnap the back of caps and resnap around the long side of a coat hanger.  Holds a bunch and you only have to remove the cap you want.
  • Mount a shoe organizer to hold keys, gloves, sunglasses, stocking caps, etc.  Label low pockets for wee folk, higher ups for taller guys.

Key to maintaining these spaces is respecting them ourselves and reminding others to also.  That’s better than anger over a grease-stained jacket or stumbling over shoes.

We can’t create smooth seas, but we can clear the decks and free ourselves to engage in the action to come.

Which deck will you clear?  Both?

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« Recognizing Clutter – October Clean Out 2
What Disturbs the Peace? – October Clean Out 4 »

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

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2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

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Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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