One of my greatest tips for ruling wisely is this: learn to use the power of no.
The power of no is your strategic weapon for staying on task until the project is complete. After all, it’s easy to start anything; the trouble most of us have is finishing well.
Here’s how you can use the power of no to help you tame an unruly closet (click here to see photos and a detailed description of the complete project).
No, I don’t have time right now. Now isn’t always the best time for everything that presents itself. Instead, look at your schedule and decide the best time for you. Maybe it’s a Saturday when you don’t have to rush. Maybe it’s tomorrow night, after you put the kids to bed. Maybe it’s at 5am while most of the world is still asleep and distractions are minimal. Whenever it works best for you, get it scheduled.
No, I don’t really need . . . Notice how I didn’t mention anything specific here. Why? Because each person’s needs are different. Think about what type of clothing you need in the types of roles you fill (business executive, mom, gardener, plumber, teacher, etc.). Different roles require different clothes. A few of you really may need 1o pairs of jeans, but probably most of you don’t. So get rid of all the extras that have accumulated since the last time you cleaned your closet. Handy tip: If you have trouble getting rid of stuff, volunteer to help people who are less fortunate than yourself. It just may change the way you view your “wants” and “needs”.
No, this doesn’t look good on me. Maybe it’s because you’ve lost weight and it’s too baggy (wouldn’t that be great!), or maybe the color isn’t the most flattering with your skin tone. Go through each clothing item and be honest. The clothing that doesn’t look good on you might look good on someone else, so give it away. Tip: Call a friend and ask them to help in the judging process.
Recommendation: I like donating to Arc’s Value Village.
No, it’s beyond repair. Recognize when a piece of clothing is beyond repair and needs to be converted to a rag, or just throw it away. Don’t feel bad about it, because things wear out. It’s the Law of Entropy.
No, it doesn’t belong here. Sometimes you’ll come across items that don’t belong in your clothes closet . . . dishes, a stack of unopened mail, a crow bar (unless you need it to get into that skinny pair of jeans), or your son’s toy trucks. Put these items in a basket. At the end of your sorting and cleaning process, go on a mission: replace, and put things back in their proper location.
No, I can’t do that right now, I’m working on an important project. Expect distractions (kids, phone calls, feeling the need to check your e-mail, your favorite magazine that calls out, “Read me!”, etc.), but you can overcome any distraction if you plan your response ahead of time: “No, not right now.” Exceptions: Always allow time for a few short food and beverage breaks to keep you strong, and DO allow distraction for real emergencies.
Conclusion: By using the power of no, you’ll end with a victorious “YES! It’s done!”
