Note: The contest will close on May 11th at midnight.

It's contest time! Read below on how doing a little spring cleaning, can help you win products to keep you organized...

By Julie Morgenstern

Years ago, spring cleaning meant beating the rugs, throwing open the windows, and getting rid of dust bunnies under the bed.  But in a year as full of change as 2009, it’s the perfect time to take spring cleaning to a whole new level.  Let’s clear out the excess from our spaces, schedules and to-do lists… so we have the energy and clarity to move forward, and discover what’s next.

I invite you to join me in a “55 Things You Don’t Need After All” Spring Cleaning Countdown, starting with 10 articles of clothing  and finishing with 1 time-hogging habit that is no longer serving you. The great thing about this challenge is that it provides you with bite-sized assignments you can get done in a week, and covers many common pockets of clutter in your life.

We start out with physical objects—clothing, books, kitchen items, toiletries, and then move onto the clutter in your schedule –which, as you know, can be just as cumbersome!  As the number of things I’m asking you to get rid of decreases, the difficulty in letting them go increases a bit.  But that’s OK—you’ll be ready.  The energy and momentum you gain from the first set of items tossed will give you the confidence and courage to tackle the tougher stuff later.

At the end of the countdown, you will have released 55 stagnant things from your life, creating cleaner spaces and room for new thoughts, adventures, ideas and experiences.

NOW—here’s the fun part. If you take up this challenge THIS WEEK , and POST your comments and questions to me on this post in the comment section below… you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win cool prizes to keep you organized!  In order to be entered into the contest, you must answer one of the suggested discussion points below.

Here's what you could win:
+ 1ST Prize-1 hour consultation with Julie

+ 2nd Prize- Julie’s On the Move Tote and pack of Switchables

+ 3rd  Prize- Julie Morgenstern Writing Center and In/Out Tray

+ Five 4th Prizes- copy of Julie’s book SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life

Okay- now it's time to make some space!

The 55 Thing Spring Fling Countdown

This week, get rid of:

10 articles of clothing that don’t fit, don’t flatter and will never be worn.   

9 books or magazines you’ve already read or know you aren’t going to get to. 

8 excess items from your bathroom – anything from outdated makeup to old cleaning supplies and near empty bottles of lotion.

7 unloved DVD’s, CDs, or VHS tapes that you haven’t listened to or watched in years.  

6 items from your fridge or pantry that will never be eaten or have passed their ideal freshness. 

5 useless pieces of kitchenware – anything from old pots and pans, outdated appliances- or that weird wiry thing you’ve never been able to identify.

4 items on your to-do list that you keep avoiding. Dive in headfirst and either do it, or delete it (if it’s really not worth your time after all).

3 regular chores (at home or work) that are no longer necessary, or that someone else can and should do instead of you. Yes, this means delegate, even if you live alone—look for low-cost services, hire a teen, barter with friend.

2 obligations in your schedule that make you cringe when you see them. I.e.-  committee work which is no longer rewarding, meetings you regret having booked, or a social engagement you are genuinely dreading.

1 time-hogging habit that is no longer serving you. I.e.- procrastination, chronic lateness, or constantly checking email.  You may not slay your habit monster in one day, but make the commitment today and comment on this post publicly proclaim your resolve. 

That's it! The 55 Spring Fling- now it's time to get the help you need to succeed.

I want to hear from you… So, talk to me!!!  Tell me how the challenge is going, what you are getting rid of,  and your experiences along the way.  I’ll be monitoring the discussion all week, and piping in with my advice, guidance and insight.

To help get your conversation juices flowing, I’ve even included a series of questions to stimulate the discussion listed below- answer any one of these questions, and you'll be entered to win the prizes above.

+ What’s the most peculiar wardrobe items you find it difficult to part with.

+ What makes books so difficult to get rid of? What criteria do you use to decide if a book is a treasure to you?

+ How many half-used or unused containers of beauty products are cluttering your bathroom? Do a count for us!

+ What is the most ridiculous old tape, DVD. Or CD you unearth in your entertainment center?

+ What is your attachment to all the kitchenware you never use?  What “good times” or “good meals” does it represent?

+ What makes it so hard to delegate? What innovative solutions have you found to successfully delegate?

+ What is your worst time wasting habit, and how many hours do you think it steals every day?

Get started today!

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CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES
The purpose of this Contest is to invite Contestants to share with us their spring cleaning process.
 There is no purchase necessary to enter or to win, nor is there any cost to register.
 All entries must be submitted on the GO Community no later than May 6, 2009.
 Winning entries will randomly selected.
 The prize may not be transferred to any other person.
 The winners will be posted online within one week after the close of the contest period. Winners will also be notified via e-mail.
 This contest is limited to U.S. residents only and Contestants must have a shipping address in the United States. This contest is void where prohibited by law. Applicable taxes are the responsibility of the Contestant, and appropriate tax identification information may be required prior to the awarding of any prize.

The Prizes:
+ 1ST Prize-1 hour consultation with Julie

+ 2nd Prize- Julie’s On the Move Tote & pack of Switchables

+ 3rd  Prize- Set of Julie’s desktop organizers

+ Five 4th Prizes- copy of Julie’s book SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life

+ No cash alternative or alternative prize is available on request, but in the event of the advertised prize being unavailable, FranklinCovey reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.

Eligibility
 The Contestant submitting the entry must be at least 21 years of age.
 The Contestant is deemed to be the holder of the established e-mail account associated with the entry.
 By submitting the entry, Contestant is granting to FranklinCovey the right to use their comments for commercial purposes for an unlimited time. Comments not selected as the winner may still be posted or used for commercial or promotional purposes.

Other
 FranklinCovey reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject and disqualify any photographs which are deemed in its sole discretion to be obscene, profane, offensive, lewd, pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate.
 FranklinCovey assumes no responsibility for entries unable to be processed for any technical reason and further reserves the right to cancel the contest if it becomes technically corrupted or because of unauthorized human intervention. FranklinCovey reserves the right in the event of such cancellation to award the prize to an eligible, non-suspect entry received prior to cancellation.
 Contestant agrees that entry and acceptance of prize constitutes permission for FranklinCovey to have the option of using the name, state, photograph, and statements of the Contestant. Such use will be without compensation and may be for editorial, public relations, promotional, or advertising purposes, or any other purpose as deemed reasonable by FranklinCovey. Documentation of such permission may be requested by FranklinCovey and failure to provide such documentation will result in forfeiture of any winner status and/or prize.
 By submitting the entry, Contestant agrees and hereby releases FranklinCovey and its affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, agents, officers, and directors from any and all liability or responsibility arising in connection with Contestant’s participation in the contest or as to any prize(s) that may be awarded.
 Employees of FranklinCovey, and its subsidiary companies, and their immediate families (parents and children) are not eligible to participate in the contest.
 This contest is sponsored and promoted by FranklinCovey, 2200 West Parkway Blvd., Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
 Any Contestant who does not agree with the above terms and conditions should not enter this contest.