Coaching Corner: Gone!!
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
This week has been a week of clearing -- first my office and then our basement! Whew! Clutter is so interesting, isn’t it? It creeps up on you, and before you realize it, formerly open spaces within your home or office are now full of the beloved items that at some point, you deemed necessary or important. Really? Think about the amount of “stuff” that comes into our homes on a daily basis, and then the amount that goes out. Typically the only items that go out are the discards that make it to the garbage. You may think by not looking at the clutter that it doesn’t impact you -- I would beg to differ!
There are several books out there that speak to the issue and impact of clutter. Today I am going to give credit to one titled “Clutter Control -- Putting Your Home on a Diet,” by Jeff Campbell of The Clean Team. Well, by golly, if he is a member of the "Clean Team," I want to hear what he has to say, right? :)
Jeff addresses the psychology of clutter in chapter 2 of the book, stating:
“In our view, clutter becomes a problem that calls for action when one or more of the following situations arise for you or for other members of the house:
- It is creating feelings of depression, anxiety, or desperation.
- The need for more or better or newer stuff seems insatiable.
- You feel like you are not the master of your own life anymore: It feels like you’re being controlled by your possessions.
- The disorder of your living space prevents you from feeling comfortable or creative or happy when you’re there.
- You deride yourself for not being more organized.
- You’re in chronic conflict with other household members over this issue.
- You’re ashamed to have friends and relatives over to the house because it’s such a mess, and you’re feeling more and more isolated or eccentric as a result.”
Interesting thoughts, aren’t they? This week, open yourself to looking fully at the spaces where you live, work, drive, etc. and determine if clutter is indeed a problem. Use the above criteria to assist you. Next week, we will look into more “how to’s” on clearing the clutter. For this week, just look -- really look! What if you needed to get your home on the market quickly? Would it be ready? Just a thought for you REALTORS!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
