For decades, I have been promoting the concept of a “productive environment” (Thanks to Andrea Anderson for the name!), We describe a productive environment as “an intentional setting in which you can accomplish your work and enjoy your life.”

In recent months, I’ve begun to realize how few people have any clue what those two words really mean, or if they do, have NO idea how to make it a reality. So I’m going to use this opportunity to explore the concept, and more importantly, how it applies to your life!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 48 years since I ran that first ad in a New York City newspaper: “Disorganized? I organize closets, files, kitchen, you-name-it! Call Barbara Hemphill.”

Unfortunately, despite my efforts and those of thousands of “organizing consultants” who followed in my footsteps (many trained by me, but many others not), America (and many other countries!) has a clutter crisis! And rather than decreasing, it’s increasing at a faster rate than I have ever seen.

Why? Let’s start with paper! Although in the 70’s we were told we would soon be living in a paperless world, in a presentation last week I asked 60 attendees, “How many of you left home with more paper than you prefer?” More than 80% raised their hand!

How about digital – email, for example? As the founder of a newly forming NC Christian Chamber of Commerce, I have found that my email is often not the best option for communication because emails get lost and go unread!

And what about the physical “stuff?” Have you noticed that the number of off-site storage units keeps increasing? How many garages are filled with boxes instead of cars?

Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t say something to me related to “downsizing” – “we are”, “we ought to,” or, saddest of all, “we have to - quickly!” The seasons of life change, and our environment needs to change to but it often doesn’t. The result? You are living in a house that isn’t a “productive environment” for you right now, and you’re leaving an enormous task to someone else.

CRITICAL: Please tell your children (or whoever will be left to handle what you leave behind) that whatever they do with your "stuff" is fine with you, and they do not need to have any guilt about their decisions!

Our Certified Productive Environment Specialists (CPESs) spend hours with clients grieving over the loss of someone they love, AND seething over the mess they left for someone else

- As you think about downsizing, focus on asking yourself/your spouse, "What do we HAVE to have in the new location?" This is far more productive than trying to decide what you can "let go of."

- If you/they plan to have an estate sale, the sale will be more profitable if you do not remove the items you think are valuable first -- because it is the potentially valuable items that bring people to the sale who then buy more.

- To decide what is "clutter" to you, ask yourself, "Is this useful, beautiful, or loved?" If the answer is "No," it's clutter, and you can let it go.

- Research shows it's easier to let go of items if you don't touch them first -- which is the reason people who struggle with “letting go” can’t do it alone. The Bible says, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” (Read James 4:1-3, and you will see examples of emotional and spiritual clutter, which, in my experience, is frequently the root of the digital and physical clutter.

One final thought: One of the core principles of PEI is “Today’s mail is tomorrow’s pile.” As long as you are breathing, paper will continue to enter your life. The first step to freedom is to stop the problem!

If you are one of the millions of people in America who are overwhelmed with boxes of papers, stuffed file cabinets, paper piles, and cluttered countertops and desktops, I have good news! We can help – as we have helped thousands of clients through the years.

People ask, “How long will this take, and how much will it cost?” The answer “It depends.” How quickly will you make decisions? (I’ve had clients who agonized over every piece of paper – and others who tossed entire boxes!)

Most critical: Are you willing you are to go THROUGH the emotion of making those decisions in order to make your home a “productive environment” – an intentional setting in which you can accomplish your work (write that book you’ve been thinking about for decades?) and enjoy your life – AND enable those you leave behind to do the same!

P.S. Here is the link from one of our Certified Productive Environment Specialists on handling "valuables." You may be shocked, but another of the PEI principles is "Progress begins with the truth."