ow that the New Year is here, I have been thinking about some of the things I want to accomplish this year. The more I thought about it, the more I decided that my biggest opportunity is just accomplishing more things in the year 2000. I don't want to have a list of another 10 things to do if I haven't accomplished the last list!

Here are my top ten organization resolutions:

1. Have less "stuff" coming into my living space.
2. A place for everything. Have a place for the bills, statements, and so on that are necessary to keep around.
3. Say no. While I love to be the recipient of hand-me-down reading material, I'm going to be putting my foot down in this area.
4. Toss it. I'm getting rid of everything that fit me 10 years ago because I have no vain imaginings that I will be that age again.
5. Simplify, simplify, simplify. I don't need 5 serving bowls, six hair conditioners, six household cleaners and 7 sets of sheets.
6. Stop thinking "I was saving this for you" or "I thought you could use this." They probably can't.
7. Be true to my vision and stop inconveniencing myself with others' agendas.
8. Write it down. I have a fear of lists, that they will define me as a failure rather than just be a reminder. I resolve to overcome this fear.
9. Stop envying others. Do what I need to do to make my life and my goals realistic. I have the power to stop biting off more than I can chew.
10. Make monthly deposits to Salvation Army or a battered women's shelter

Take a few moments to enumerate your top ten. It's okay if the goals are simple. Don't think of it as a mandate but rather a mission statement. If ten seems too overwhelming, start with five. If you get nine, no big deal.
Remember, they're your goals, not someone else's.

Nita Jackson is a self-desc ribed "recovering messie" and the woman behind the OrganizeWize [1] website, where you'll find organizational help for the holidays. She says "I began my messy journey like this: Nerve damage for five years now from a car wreck that was not my fault. I am in pain 24 hours a day so I can no longer work harder, I have to work smarter! I read Sandra Felton's 'Messies' books and they changed my life! My passion to get my life in order has spilled over into a web site on time management and organizing." This article © 1997-2003 Nita Jackson. Used by permission.

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