Crop Circles Inspire Organizing Clutter

When I opened Google today there were these pretty little circles at the top of the screen and I clicked on it to find out what they were. I found out they are crop circles. These are patterns created by the flattening of crops such as wheat, barley, rye, or corn.

Many people think these circles are formed by the paranormal or by ball lightning or vortices in the wind. Others believe the circles are man-made hoaxes.

Some of these circles aren’t actually circles at all but are beautiful geometric patterns but the name circle has stuck as a generic term for crop patterns.

Do you feel like you are caught in the generic world of organizing? Do you feel like you are just going around in circles? Do you organize clutter in your home the same way you have always done it but it just isn’t working for you? Does clutter keep piling up and you feel like you never get ahead of it? If this is the case it is probably time to look at what you are doing and what you can change so it is working for you.

Crop circles have had a profound effect on thousands of people who have seen them and studied them through the years. No matter how they have come to be they have had the positive effect on people learning and understanding as they have worked to understand the meaning and purpose behind them.

In 1978 Bower and Chorley claimed to have started the crop circle phenomenon and were actually awarded the lg Nobel Prize in 1992 for their crop circle hoaxing. This award is a parody of the Nobel Prizes and are given each year for ten achievements that “first make people laugh, and then make them think.” They are organized by the scientific humor magazine.

Now is the time as you are organizing clutter to step back and first laugh and then think, how can I do this differently, lighten up. Just as there are many different shapes and designs of crop circles; all are unique, beautiful and interesting. Take time to evaluate what works for you and what isn’t working for you as you are organizing clutter.

Reasons organizing clutter is a problem:

·Children are the problem---You set the example. Make sure you get organized before you expect everyone else in the family be organized. Children follow what their parents do and say. Make organizing a normal routine around your home.

·There are no clear and reasonable expectations. Write down each chore and what is to be done to accomplish it.

·Create a responsibility chart (chore chart sounds like drudgery to me). This is a great visual tool to remind everyone what they are to be doing. When a task is done put a star by it. This gives positive visual feedback.

·There are no rewards for doing a good job. Having a reward can be a good motivator. The rewards will be different for everyone in the family. We don’t all like the same things. Create rewards specific to each person.

·It’s boring to organize clutter. Make it fun, turn on upbeat music, make a game out of it, set a timer and make it a race to get done faster.

·Strengths are overlooked. Determine what family members are good at organizing. Build on those strengths.

· Everyone in the family thinks organizing clutter means something different. Get on the same page as to what organizing clutter means.

Organizing clutter doesn’t have to be a big mystery like the beautiful crop circles. Take time to see what is working and build on those strengths, get everyone in the family involved and soon organizing clutter will be done quickly and effortlessly.

Marilyn is a professional organizer and invites you to visit her website www.marilynbohn.com, She is a sought after public speaker and author who is passionate about teaching ways to organize your life and how to reduce clutter. She works with women in their homes and offices. On her web site she teaches you to get rid of clutter by using her Lights On Organizing System. She provides practical information on how to declutter your home, office and life. In her blogs, articles, and videos she gives timely tips on how to clear clutter and how to declutter everything in your home and office. She is the author of a book called Go Organize! Conquer clutter in three simple steps which will be in major bookstores in December 2009.