Comments on: Do you have a big ‘But …’?

By: Open Loops 7/7/2009: Articles I Think Worth Passing Along—SimpleProductivityBlog.com—

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:02:34 +0000

[...] asks “Do you have a big ‘But …’?” Here’s the part I like best: “We keep bad habits and clutter in our lives [...]

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:57:40 +0000

BUT… kids, cats, husband. 30 minutes every morning is enough to stay on top of the daily kitchen cleaning. An hour every morning can handle that and some laundry / cat litter / sweeping. The minute I get on top of anything i realize I haven’t opened a book in a week!

By: Leslie McKee

Leslie McKee — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:56:16 +0000

Isn’t it funny how holding on to something = not deciding! saying but…does the same thing. thanks for the extra awareness!

By: Business Development | Social Media Literacy |…words » Productivity Re-cap 29 May

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:11:42 +0000

[...] Erin Doland of Unclutterer writes about all the excuses we give not to get things organized in her article Do You Have A Big But..? http://unclutterer.com/2009/05.....a-big-but/ [...]

By: Melissa Stacey

Melissa Stacey — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:24:27 +0000

What a great post and so very true! I hear the “but” excuse so often in organizing and life in general. It is so important to let go of the fear to achieve your goals.

By: Nana

Nana — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:53:16 +0000

When I was in a support group, someone said, “Any time someone says, ‘I’d like to [fill in the blank] BUT…’ think of a pink rubber eraser eliminating the words that come before ‘but.’ That’s where you’ll find the truthful statement”

By: Teri K

Teri K — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:55:16 +0000

This is a good thing to add to a weekly GTD review. Sometimes I find myself not completing tasks on my lists. During my weekly review, I’ll need to start adding “I would finish this task but…” to help me identify what is really stopping me from completing it. Thanks Erin!

By: Shalin

Shalin — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:46:13 +0000

This post is really coming at an interesting time for me – thank you Erin!

I guess my big “But” would be the general one when it comes to change – social consequences, actually. Not being able to joke around with, hang out with, or relate to other similar clutterbug friends when I have only a handful physically near me…

Instead, I might be seen as showing them up. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. And perhaps I’d serve as an inspiration they can relate to…

–S

By: Consultant Calamities

Consultant Calamities — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:20:14 +0000

This post made me smile…I LOVED “Pee Wee’s Big adventure.” I may have to go watch it again soon (yes, I own it…)

By: knitwych

knitwych — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:08:52 +0000

I used to invoke the Big But all the time. Frequenting this blog helps me refrain from doing that, because I get regular doses of good advice as well as inspiring photos of well organized, attractive spaces. Also helpful: Telling myself “Just freaking DO IT already!” when I see some little something that needs doing. For me, tackling little things (cleaning out the junk drawer, taking the time to put the laundry away once it’s done rather than just putting the basket down in the bedroom, etc) works much better than designating an entire day or weekend to a specific project. I recently overhauled my kitchen, and even though it was a lot of work, I broke it down into little chunks.

By: L.

L. — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:41:22 +0000

Listing our house for sale this month has made my husband finally realize the value of uncluttering. Sometimes it takes an unstoppable force or immovable object to get people past their fears of change.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:38:21 +0000

I would get rid of a lot of the stuff I’ve accumulated, but….I paid for it.

I’m really trying to get past that. I have eliminated a lot of stuff that I have been dragging around for years.

By: natalie seiling

natalie seiling — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:37:59 +0000

I chanced on your web site and have found it very helpful. I try to visit it each day to motivate me. Three years ago I moved into a smaller house. I married two years ago and my husband moved in (we are in our 60′s). Now I find myself with a lot of ‘stuff’. And, like your other writers, the daily chores tire me out enough without worrying about basements, garages, etc. But, frankly, I’m too old and my health isn’t the best to have this ‘stuff’ around. Theresa is right — be open to new ideas and overcome the fear of change. Believe me, the feeling of satisfaction is worth it. So what to do?? I decided I would have a room-a-month project. Closet, drawers, etc in ONE room for a month. Little by little it’s getting done. Sometimes I promise myself a Block Buster movie or ice cream as a special treat when I accomplish something. Getting the room done entitles me to an afternoon out. May sound childish, but it works. I have some big items that have to go. Again, once a month I call a charity, they come and out it goes. I also keep a notebook of what my monthly plans are and what I have accomplished, along with words of encouragement as I take baby step by baby step through. Best of luck to all you!

By: Loren

Loren — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:35:38 +0000

My biggest is ‘I’d love to be more organized BUT I don’t know how.’ Then my BUT becomes ‘I don’t have the money to BUY those shelves to put everything’ then it is ‘BUT I don’t have the time’.
Your website has been a huge help with gaining knowledge, and as I become more organized I’ve discovered that I have more time. And when I have more time I can get creative and think up solutions to those problems that don’t involve money (or at least not as much money).

By: becoming minimalist

becoming minimalist — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:12:39 +0000

the “but” that i kept running into is, “i’d get decluttered BUT the job seems so big i don’t even know where to start.”

that was our excuse until we decided to start small – real small. declutter a vehicle or a bathroom cabinet. once you do, you’ll get a little glimpse into how much better life can be.