You just have to devote just one week (a project a day) to creating order and you’ll be amazed what a calming influence it can be.

Monday: Organize your inbox. Come home early from work for a cleaning session. Activate your out-of-the-office e-mail reply and turn off the auto chime for two hours. Create new folders for contacts, projects and meetings. Sort them alphabetically then redirect e-mails to folders or delete them. So next time, be relentless and begin filing or deleting e-mails on arrival.

Tuesday: Organize your cabinet. Gather 2 cardboard boxes and place punch bowls and platters you haven’t used in months in basement or yard sale. Replace cabinet lining and sift through cans, teas and cracker boxes, throwing out the expired and moving older cans to the front. Place your flour, cereal and sugar into plastic containers to keep them fresh and protected against bugs. (more…)