Growth is a good thing. However, on the topic of clutter, growth might seem a natural phenomenon and can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.

Often we walk into a room or open a closet door, only to quickly turn around and close the door, so to avoid the overwhelming sensation of dread. You ask yourself how you are ever going to get through those piles and realize that you do not have hours of uninterrupted time.

I recommend that you break your piles down into achievable tasks. Instead of 7 hours uninterrupted, you may only have 15 or 20 minutes. Set your kitchen timer or watch and give yourself permission for 15 or 20 minutes only. Select a reward (and buying more stuff, is not an option!).

Once the timer goes off, allow yourself to celebrate your success in completing 15 or 20 minutes. Reward yourself by calling that friend you have not spoken to for some time or curling up on the sofa to read a magazine. As an adult, we often berate ourselves for what has not been accomplished, instead of celebrating what we have accomplished.

15 or 20 minutes a day can really add up. Just think, 15 minutes each day is 1 hour & 15 minutes in a work week. This is 5 hours in one month, which is 5 hours more that what you would have accomplished if you had tried to tackle the whole pile all at once.

By breaking things down into achievable blocks of time and motivating yourself with a reward, you can be assured of progress. Once you start, you will build momentum and your 15 minutes a day will quickly increase.