7 Tips for Staying Clutter-Free

3. Timebox Each Task

It's a well-known fact that all jobs expand to fill their allotted time limit, so if you tell yourself you will clear your stuff until it's done, don't be surprised if the process takes forever. Timebox each job. Break each task down into chunks, decide how long it will take you to complete each one, and then set your timer. Work against the clock to do each chunk within the timebox you have set yourself.

You can also use this technique to accomplish other types of tasks. For example, if you're doing a job at your computer, you might use one of the great timer software programs out there. Instead of a boring alarm sound when time's up, you can set the program to burst into life with any soundtrack you have on your computer. I revised and updated most of this book in sixty-minute timeboxes using this technique.

If you're the kind of person who procrastinates because you love the adrenaline rush of getting something done just in time for a deadline, you'll adore timeboxing. You won't have to wait for a big deadline but can get your fix many times a day. However, I have to warn you that with practice, you'll be able to timebox yourself with­ out a clock, and will routinely start completing jobs on time. So use this technique only if the rest of your life is interesting enough not to need adrenaline highs ( your kidneys will thank you for this and serve you longer because of it).

4. Play Upbeat Music

Some people prefer to clutter clear in silence, but many find they are able to keep going two to three times longer if they have the right music playing. If this works for you, be sure to use external speakers (not headphones) and set the volume loud enough to make your body feel like dancing. For best results, set your player to automatic repeat so that it just keeps going. Avoid alternating fast and slow songs — the ballads will cause you to lose momentum. If you have a lot of clutter to clear, it would be a good investment of your time to make your own music compilation especially for this purpose. But don’t let doing this be yet another delay to making a start!

5. Wear Something Red

Just as red dancing shoes make your feet feel like moving, so does wearing red clothes make you feel like taking action. If you don’t have anything red, then wear colors from the warm end of the spectrum (orange, yellow, etc.) rather than cool colors like blue. Many people keep clutter as a way of comforting themselves. Warm colors are more emotionally comforting than cool ones, so if you wear colors from the warmer end of the spectrum while sorting through your stuff, you’ll probably find it easier to let things go.

6. Don’t Wear Black or Gray

Black attracts low-level vibrations and will quickly make you feel tired when clearing clutter. Gray is also not a good color to wear because it can cause you to be indecisive about what stays and what goes.

7. Reward Yourself for a Job Well Done

It's human nature to seek gratification, so if you reward yourself in some way after you've clutter cleared, part of you remembers this and is more inclined to want to do it again. Promise yourself that when the job is done, you'll reward yourself with a massage, watch a movie, go out with a friend, or whatever kind of treat is possible, affordable, and meaningful for you.