What are your New Year's Resolutions

  Let’s talk about all those Resolutions.

Those things that we say we are going to do with good intentions but for some reason never follow through.

Your list can be huge but here are the top 3 things I hear over and over from my clients. I want,

1. Less "stuff" coming into my house.
2. A place for everything. i.e. bills, toys, storage
3. To say 'No' and not feel guilty about it.

Less stuff - In order not to be an impulse shopper I ask myself these questions:

• Do I really need that item
• Will I use it often
• Do I have a place to put it or will it fit into the space I'm thinking about.

And then I walk away.

I might just walk around the store looking at other things for a few minutes but 95% of the time I don't buy the item because I realize that I really do not need it or have come up with something I already have in my house that I can use for this purpose.

If you still think you want it and have not measured the space go home and do so. Often we envision that something will fit into a space but when we measure the width, depth and height we find that it won't fit or will just be too awkward for the spot.

A place for everything – many of us feel that our homes do not have enough space. In some homes this is very true but in most there is lots of wasted space. Once systems are in place you will be pleasantly surprised that the space where things were tossed into actually holds everything that should be there.

Get my Free Report "15 Days to a Clutter Free Home" for the solutions.

To say No and without the guilt – Be clear on what is important to you.

When you say 'yes' to one thing, it usually means saying 'no' to something else.

No individual can or should take on every single request

and expect to emerge from the undertaking

feeling calm, balanced or relaxed.

The word no does not register in the brain and through the years I have learned to avoid using it.

I have always been asked to volunteer for lots of things and of course I love to volunteer. But I cannot do everything nor do them all well.

Try something like "thank you for thinking of me". "I appreciate you thinking so highly of me but I will have to decline this time". And if it is something of some interest leave the door open by adding, "Perhaps if this or a similar opportunity comes up again in 6 months or a year you will call to see what is in my schedule".

Keep it short. You do not need to offer details. It only makes us feel like we're making excuses. You don't need any! Once I learned how to do this the guilt stopped. You have done so politely. Most people would not be offended and appreciate your honesty.

And surprisingly, someone else will step up and do the job when you are not available. I was the secretary for a local business group for 3 years. I got voted in each year because no one wanted the job. I didn't always want the job either but no one was stepping up to do it. Well, this year I missed the meeting and therefore could not be voted in. 3 days later when I got the business minutes, surprise, there was a new secretary.

So think about these things. Be sure they are the things that you really want to do or it means that you will be giving up something you really love – perhaps time with your family and friends.

Still feeling over whelmed by all your stuff or know someone who is?

See my latest New Year's special with 2 package Options.

Wishing you a wonderful, bright New Year filled with love, friendship and prosperity!