It's a familiar story. Our days are often filled with busyness. There are appointments to get to, places to take the kids, phone calls and emails to return, volunteer responsibilities to fulfill, job duties to stay on top of, shopping to do, and the list goes on. Many women ask me, "How am I supposed to find time to tackle the everyday clutter that seems takes over my home in just a blink of an eye?" You can do it. Here are my four secrets to taking control of the clutter in your home.

Stop and breathe. You can only do one thing at a time. Remember, your job is never done. There will always be something you have to do. However, you can prioritize. Ask yourself, "What needs to be done now?" and focus on that one task.

Be aware of the to-do list trap. To-do lists don't make us productive. What they are great for is to help us remember what it is we want to do. But, you also have to consider when you're going to do a task and how long it will take. If you are just adding items to your list in hopes that everything will find a way to get done, you might be setting yourself up for failure.

Do a quick sweep. Go through each room, one at a time, with a basket or box. Collect those items that do not belong in that room. Deliver the items back to their homes. Get the family involved by having each member put their own belongings away.

Work in follow-up time into your daily routine. Follow-up is the fifth step of my organizing process, the STUFF System™ (Sort, Take Out, Utilize a System, Fill Containers and Follow Up). When you get a space organized, it will always require follow-up. The more you use a space, the more maintenance it will demand. The time that you invest daily in your follow-up is nothing compared to the time you will regain.

You might also have to consider cutting one or two items out of your calendar. If you are feeling overwhelmed and supper busy, that's a clue that something has to go. Remember, one thing at a time. Clutter is something that takes its claim on a space quickly, but you can take back control and stay on top of it.

Paula Constable, professional organizer and speaker, works with families who want to make their daily lives easier and less stressful through organization. She is the owner of Stuff 2b Organized, LLC and she brings understanding, support and solutions to help calm the busy lives of the families she works with. To receive her free reports, 5 Must-Know Organizing Tips for Busy Moms and The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide, and to sign up for her free newsletter, visit http://www.stuff2borganized.com.

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