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Links and Resources for the Chronically Disorganized

N S G C D | Home

I’m still in a de-cluttering mode these days (more on that soon), so I was intrigued by this resource, which arrived this morning via Mrs. Folders.

While primarily a trade group for “professional organizers,” the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization site has some handy documents and links to help with identifying and solving pathological problems with clutter and hoarding.

If you can tolerate the site’s gruesome ardor for PDFs, you’ll find some informative and eye-opening stuff. From their fact sheets page:

I really liked some of the Tips for Overcoming Procrastination for the Chronically Disorganized Individual or Household (excerpted):

  • Remember that it is motivation that gets you started and habits that keep you going. Resolve to get started.
  • Delay until you have enough information but not all the information. Have the courage to make decisions with less than 80% of the facts.
  • Break up your projects into small pieces and avoid “all or nothing” thinking.

Good stuff. The Now Habit, anyone?

janotte's picture

drowning in paper

I note that Merlin’s concern about this is seconded by at least one of the POs commenting in here but it do find it slightly amusing that a site which is supported by people who see the first aim as ‘turning off the tap’ of cr@p coming into their world chooses to supply their info in the printer orientated PDF format.

I can see the piles of printed out fact sheets etc being added on top of the mountain as a substitute for actually clearing a path.

While mostly simply (very slightly) amusing (perhaps only to small minds) it is one of those times when we do need to ‘walk that talk’ and have this stuff designed for online use with admonishments AGAINST printing unless there is an extremely good reason. (99% clutter prevention - 1% reduced resource use)

I hope this comment might be of some use to Emily in her efforts to have the NSGCD site changed to better demonstrate the habits its ‘owners’ intend to promote. It is made with good intentions.

A good site which could be the foundation on which to build a great site!

Peace all. Jan

 
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Inbox Zero

The original 43 Folders series looking at the skills, tools, and attitude needed to empty your email inbox — and then keep it that way. Don’t miss the free video of Merlin’s Inbox Zero presentation.

Making Time

3-part series on attention management for artists and makers. Read Bad Correspondence, The Job You Think You Have, and One Clear Line.