Do you really try to get organized yet still find yourself overwhelmed with stuff, to-do’s, clutter? It can be really frustrated (I know, trust me!) to put effort towards getting more organized and then finding yourself back to a now defeated square one. (Which can be worse than original square one because you really did try – and now feel like a failure.) If you can relate, here are four things (Happy 4th, btw!) to be aware of next time you’re in the (get more organized) mood: 1.  Over stuffing: We find the perfect container. Print a neat label. And fill the container to the top. Making best use of space is good. However, being too efficient with space can work against us if:

• no room left for future stuff (so it goes elsewhere = clutter)
• breakables are packed too tight (and they do just that – break)

2.  No easy access:  Those neatly labeled containers – when hard to reach – can cause us to set aside that item (soon to be clutter) for storing “later.” 3.  Priorities off:  Tackling those old photos. Re-organizing your desk. Not that these are bad to do. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and think, “If I just get those photos in order, I’ll feel much more on top of it,” you’re probably overlooking (or subconsciously avoiding!) something bigger. Understanding what’s causing you the most overwhelm, and then finding a solution – huge! 4.  Clutter free! (but stashing elsewhere):  We’re fed up with the stuff on our counters, in the playroom, on our desk. Or we have company coming over in 15 minutes. So… we gather, place in a container (containerizing is a good organizing tactic, right?!) and then magically it disappears. Until it reappears in a much more daunting way. Just being aware of these (and our other) tendencies can be big. For bigger help with, be on the lookout for a special program I’m introducing next week. It won’t be on my website – it’s an offer just for my subscribers. So make sure you’re on the list!