Organizing Dilemma Number Two

Today's Dilemma is from Karen Burke, MBA, ACC, ELI-MP Mobius Business Coaching, LLC
I am giving away half of what we own this year - and writing about it - I look forward to sharing the journey along the way -  I would also like your advice! I was wondering how would you recommend someone get rid of half of what they own? What steps would you advice - that is my question!

Here are some steps that I would suggest in devising the list of what to send on to the universe.

1. Just as if you were planning a move.  Separate your stuff by:   Love and use, donate, toss (trash), needs mending or repair.
2. Supply yourself with boxes to make it easy to put items aside as you identify they are no longer to be part of your life, but could be part of someone else’s
3. First, be clear about what you love and use on a regular basis. As an example, for clothing, hang everything with the hanger tops facing forward (you have to hook them on the rod from underneath) When you use something turn the hanger to face the usual way,  If at the end of the season you have not used the item the hanger will still be facing the wrong way.  These items are no longer in the stream of what you are using and can be sent on.
4. Household items: To identify what you are really using, make a list of all the items you use each day. Another way to know what you are really using is to mark it with a stick on dot when you use it. Put a dot on the bottom of an item each time you use it (buy them at any office supply store).  At the end of each month items that are most used will be dotted and those that were not used are bare and are candidates for downsizing. If you are fearful of damaging items with the dots use a small piece of paper or post-it note and make hash marks on the paper each time you use the item.
   
5. If you are thinking “maybe” you can put items in a box and if in 6 months you haven’t had the need to open the box those items can go.
6. Play a game with your family called, “I can’t live without”… Make slips of paper with the names of items you really wonder if you need and when you play the game each family member picks out a slip and reads it aloud and you find out why it is important and to whom.  Maybe there are items the girls will want but you and your husband do not. If you use it and love it, you will likely keep it and feel good about it.
7. Items that are tough choices can be easier to let go of, if you can identify a way for them to live on.  I try always to have resources lined up so that things do not end up in the trash, unless they really are trash.
8. Another exercise is to make a list called WE NEED:  for example
   1. Dinner service for 8
   2. Utensils for ......
      
   3. Serving pieces……..
   4. Pots and pans
   5. Small Appliances
   6. Kitchen tools…..
   7. How many pair of black pants of black jackets or khaki shorts or tennis shoes etc…
   8. Continue in this manner for each space in your home or garage.
9. Ask are these two things just like the others? Does this item do something similar to something else I own.  Like a knife vs. a chopper.  A food processor vs. a blender…Which one do you use most and really want to keep?
10. Divide by 50 % gather all of the items that you own in a specific category and give yourself a time limit to pare down by 50%.  If after the first round of evaluations of a category you have not made your goal.  Set a new appointment with yourself to divide again until you have met your 50% goal.
11. Involve friends who know you well to ask questions like, does this really look good on me, suit me, and support the life I want to live.