The basket method

I got this suggestion for a Yahoo Group I am in called Clutter Help


"Fill the Basket, Empty the Basket" strategy.


Here is what you do:


1) Pick a spot in the room in a size you think you could manage. 1ft by 1ft


for example, or 1 box, or tthe desks surface, or 1 drawer.


2) Pick up everything from that spot and put it in the basket so that the


spot is completely empty


3) Go into a different room or even the garden if you have to and put the


basket down.


4) Pick 1 item out of the basket and really look at it. Then ask the following questions:


1) Is it rubbish?


Yes - walk to the bin and throw it in the trash right now.


No - Go to step 2




2) Do I need it?


No - Go to Step 3


Yes - Go to Step 4


3) Can it be given away / donated?


Yes - Get an empty plastic grocery bag, but the item in it and write the


person's name or place it is going to on the back.


No - Throw it in the trash right now.

4) Does this item fit into my ideal home?


Yes - Take it to the place it will go in your ideal home and put it there.


Even if the area is a mess, this is where that item belongs from now on.


No - Go to Step 3


Repeat the process for every item in the basket. Then go and get another


basket. Try to do 1 new basket a day. Every day go to that area you have


cleaned and do a quick tidy of that area using the basket method.