This weekend I needed to get a rug for the creative office.  In keeping with the philosophy of bringing in one thing and letting something go, I chose some books I've read or have had duplicates.  Years ago I would keep my favorites in my office by buying at the Library's semi-annual book sale,  Then if someone asked to borrow it, I would freely give it and not anticipate seeing it again.  Now that I don't have anyone walking in, I realized that I have many lingering on the shelf.  Books are for the world once I read them.   I do make a notebook in Evernote ( Just started this last year ) and capture any quotes from them there.   Remember Evernote ( Apple Notes and BEAR as well ) allows you to search by words as it makes images searchable.  
     In a nutshell, you may have purchased something this weekend.  Let something else go by giving it away, recycling it, or discarding it.  

    How do keep clutter from growing?  Remember minimizing clutter is not to just get rid of stuff, it helps create opportunities for what you really want.   This is a constant battle, but here is an example slash true story.  You get a new great t-shirt that you really dig.  There is an opportunity to look at one of your existing shirts in your wardrobe.  It can be difficult especially if you have a shirt that you are sentimental about.  I will place that shirt in the donation (or hand-me-down queue) queue and solve two things.  Preventing my stuff from expanding and giving to someone who needs a shirt.  Sometimes in my mind,  I will think I want to wear that shirt.  I get to the  closet and realized that I gave it away.  
     You think I would miss the shirt?  The truth is I don't. My hope is that it has a home or has been re-purposed in some valuable way.  It's an awesome feeling.  
      Try it next time you buy something.  You will begin to realize you only have the things you want and things you love!  

     Many of us may be returning to overflowing email inboxes ( plural makes sense doesn't it ).  I systematically look at them from a urgent and effectiveness continuum.   if there is something that will collapse if I don't respond ( Rarely is that the case ).to system generated emails ( Create rules and labels. More on that in a upcoming post ).  This same thing goes for your personal email.  Unsubscribe to anything you don't want to read.  There are apps that help with that.  IOS let you unsubscribe directly and emails must put that ability at the bottom.   
     Take the day slowly and dig out systematically.  If there is someone you need to talk to, do that first.  People are more important than anything you do.  Focusing and depositing into colleagues, friends, and family are the fastest way to get things going in your direction.  
Have an awesome kickoff to your best year ever!