4. Gather each category and measure. For example, stack all building blocks. Measure dimensions and find or buy appropriate containers.

5. Set it up. Each toy should be categorized and should have a home to make clean up quicker and easier. If children know exactly where things belong, they are more likely to put them away.

Barbara Myers is author of "Your Complete Guide to Organized Parenting." FREE "50 Ways to Manage Your Time" Tips Booklet at http://www.ineedmoretime.com

Are you: relieved, happy, proud, or exhausted? Feel it and enjoy feelings.

Sit for another minute. Take another DEEP belly breath. Slowly open your eyes and REALLY start to take actions you just pictured.

Now I know many of you might be thinking this is crazy or off wall. I also know many have excuses for their clutter - why things are way they are - or their fear of letting go. I know many get attached to not just their "things" but also their attitudes and their picture of world, as they see it. I know many don't take any action, nor never will, as they sit and watch stuff pile up around them.

I know many don't have know how to get organized. Many just don't have any organizing skills; just don't have a clue as to what to keep or not. Some need permission, to be held accountable by a friend or mentor, or take a class or get some coaching. Some need motivated or a good friend. There is certainly nothing wrong with not having or wanting and needing any of above; however if you don't make choice to take some kind of action against your clutter I guarantee you you will have bigger problems and more severe clutter problems in coming years. And it's never too late if you start right now.

Continue to practice your imaging throughout days and weeks ahead. It takes little effort, but you must work on your picturing power everyday until your action kicks in.

Make a commitment to yourself TODAY. Start TODAY! Stand up and chose to take whatever action you need.

Dr. Peale, author of Positive Imaging: The Powerful Way to Change Your Life, tells us that whatever our minds can conceive and believe, and your heart desires, you can achieve.

For those of you that read Bible, you can even read in Mark 11:24 that Jesus says, "What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them."

So why not try, practice, and work at picturing your clutter gone - what have you got to lose except some clutter?

Smiles, not Piles,

Copyright (c) 2002 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute this article so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice, and full information about author is attached.