Here's the final installment of Julie Morgenstern's SHED reading assignments. You can catch up on the other assignments here.

Week 5: Summary and Reflection

Answer the following questions:

+ What insights did you gain about yourself from reading this book?
+ What did you learn about where the clutter is in your life?
+ How does it feel to have removed some of the clutter that was weighing you down?
+ What will your next Point of Entry be?

SHED Tip:

All in all, keep in mind that SHED is a fluid process: once you begin SHEDing one area of clutter, others begin to emerge which you tackle next.  The steps begin to cascade in order—you could be Separating the Treasures in one pocket of clutter, while already onto Embrace and Drive from earlier pockets of clutter you have already released. 

The whole process develops a flow, which every client, and reader has described as exhilarating and invigorating and energizing.  So, come on.  Are you ready to SHED?  Let’s get to it!

And, for insight into this book, read why Julie wrote it:

I’ve been an organizing and time management expert for 20 years.  And from the day I started my business, I’ve been working against the misperception in popular culture that constantly confuses “organizing” and “decluttering”. Most people think of getting organized as Organizing EQUALS Throwing things out.  In reality, these are very different processes with very different purposes. 

My earlier books focused on organizing and time management—emphasizing that you can get organizing without  throwing anything way—a concept millions found so freeing they were finally able to get organized after years of living in chaos. 

With my latest book, I felt it was time for me to finally address the topic of decluttering head-on.   What exactly is decluttering?  When is it the right thing to do?  Why is getting rid of things so hard?  And most importantly, what is missing in the popular advice out there that is preventing people from succeeding?

SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, is the result of that effort.  In it, you will discover  many Common Misconceptions about Clutter, such as:

1- Clutter is just a bunch of junk you should easily be able to toss.  Truth: Clutter represents an attachment to something you are struggling to release: an old belief system, obsolete need, or unexpressed part of you that needs to be discovered.

2- Getting rid of clutter will get you organized Truth: Decluttering will not create a system, but it will help you manage change.  Releasing the obsolete will get you unstuck—by opening up  space for something new. It creates the energy,  space to think, and time to figure out what’s next.

3- Clutter is always messy Truth: Clutter is what is obsolete, the objects, things and habits that no longer serve you—and it doesn’t have to be disorganized.

I’ve always been viewed as more of a Clutter Whisperer, than a Clutter Buster, the organizer who works from the Inside Out.  I never believed in the “tough love” approaches  that make for entertaining TV makeovers—or that people hear from genuinely well meaning friends, family, and even from inside their own heads: “Don’t think, don’t hesitate, put it in the crusher!  It’s time to move on! What good is it doing you?!  Throw it all away!” 

People who are shamed into throwing things away may comply in the moment, but they will feel sick to their stomach the entire time, and will quickly refill their barren spaces, ending up back right where they started. Cavalierly tossing things from your home, office or schedule (due to shame or pressure) never provides a lasting solution.

SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, shares the wisdom gained over 20 years by myself and my team of organizers around the country, working with clients to both organize and de-clutter. This book shares the secrets we’ve learned that make the difference between failure and success in letting go…..and converts an activity typically considered as painful as ripping of a band aid, into a nurturing, fulfilling, exhilarating process of transformation.

The unique promise of SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, is that it will help you clear the clutter for good, by taking a very different approach to the process than you’ve ever seen before.  I am very proud of this book, which makes the link between “de-cluttering” and reinvention; and hope you found it a practical and inspiring tool to create an authentic and energized life.

Thanks Julie! Do you have questions on SHED'ing? If so, leave a comment here, or email go@franklincoveyproducts.com.