Papers, notes, pens, bills, receipts, books….arggghhhh! CLUTTER on and around your desk. It can become overwhelming and demotivating. It can suck the joy right out of sitting down to write…or plan…or study–whatever you do at your desk.

Some folks say they work better in a messy environment…I don’t buy it. Even if it’s on a subliminal level, you are being assaulted by disorder. Disharmony. Disassociation.

As women striving to live God’s way, order is essential. Order is one of the great laws of the universe. The restoration gospel has 520 references to order…do you think it’s important enough to be a part of our lives?

I’m not talking about a toddler’s toys scattered all over the living room that are cleaned up at the end of the day. Or a kitchen chuck full of dirty dishes from a day of cooking. Or a desk strewn with tools and ephemera for a week of scrap-booking. I’m referring to habitual, continual clutter piled everywhere everyday.

Most of us are not neat by nature. I continually battle my “nature” on every front and keeping a tidy home, yard, car and office is a spiritual and physical challenge. One of the things we can do to override our natural self is to develop good habits…one day, one hour, one minute at a time. Another thing that keeps me on track is my very own Guide To Being A Holy Woman: Proverbs 31:10-31!! I read a portion each morning during my devotionals. I love verse 27: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” This keeps me going when I’m feeling lazy (we all do), rebellious (yes, really) or overwhelmed (in a black pit). The Lord is there for you even in housework. He cares about you. He cares about your house.

Now, let’s get to the practical side; this is where the ABC rule comes in. It is one of the BEST habits I have ever added to my battle plan for neatness. And, it’s SO SIMPLE.

Imagine a circle. Then another circle around that one. And, a third circle on the outside.

Then letter each circle:

Now, imagine you are in the center circle A at your desk. Things that you use every day or very often are inside circle A with you. You can reach them by staying in your chair. Remove everything that doesn’t fit the USE-OFTEN category.

Things you use less often–weekly, bi-weekly-monthly–you set the parameters–put in circle B. That would be things stored in bookcases, file cabinets, (cute) storage boxes or tables that are out of reach from your desk. You have to get up to lay your hands on them. For me it’s receipts, colored pens/pencils, reference books on future article subjects, notebooks full of…well…notes! My circle B includes all of my office.

Then, things you need but don’t use very often are in circle C. For me it’s seasonal items, research files and books, office supplies, all that “stuff” you know you will need at some point. All that “stuff” that’s on your radar to do but not yet. It could be a closet, shelves, basement, attic or even another building such as a barn, garage, she-shed or whatever!

I promise you this works. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity. It’s often the simple things that make life easier. I follow this rule not only for my desk/office but for my kitchen, my toiletries and my wardrobe.

Begin by getting 3 boxes, bags or some kind of container. Label them ABC. Start with your desk. Go at a good pace; don’t agonize over every little object. If you haven’t used it this week it probably doesn’t belong in your desk. You can even sub-categorize. Desk-this week. Shelf or credenza beside your desk-two weeks. Bookcase behind your desk–one month.

Or, if trying to label things with a “time” is stressing you out, label them with a maybe soon and a maybe later and a maybe someday!

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” A. A. Milne

Spend some time–say just an hour–working on circle A. Remove everything you won’t use this week. Then, give yourself a 30 day trial.

“Prove herewith…”!!! See if things are more composed, quicker and calmer.

“…all things must be done in order.” Mosiah 4:27

” Let all things be done decently and in order. ” 1 Cor 14:40

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

For more organizational tools: http://lizzymckee.com/my-routines/