How to Be Awesome at Your Job

1073: How to Cut Clutter and Distraction from Your Life with Shira Gill

9 snips
Jul 7, 2025
Shira Gill, an organizing expert and bestselling author, shares her insights on decluttering for a more intentional life. She reveals the hidden costs of clutter and why traditional organizing tools often fall short. Shira offers practical strategies like the 'action item basket' for managing tasks and enhancing mental clarity. Emphasizing the journey toward minimalism, she discusses how reducing distractions can significantly boost professional efficiency. Tune in for transformative tips that help create a calmer, more focused life.
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ANECDOTE

Transforming Space Transformed Business

  • Elizabeth turned a cluttered guest room into a minimalist office to kickstart her executive coaching business.
  • Clearing her space transformed her motivation and confidence, enabling her to work full-time from home.
ADVICE

Edit Before Organizing

  • Don't buy organizing products before decluttering; organization is about skillfully grouping essentials.
  • Organized clutter still causes overwhelm; start by editing to keep only what helps you work effectively.
INSIGHT

Why Owning Less Is the Ultimate Productivity Hack

Shira Gill reveals that owning fewer items is actually easier and more effective than buying new organizational tools. She explains that clutter increases stress because our brains must process every item in a room, which consumes mental energy.

By cutting down possessions and focusing on essentials, your brain gets a much-needed break, leading to greater clarity and joy. For example, Shira downsized her home office to just a laptop, microphone, and notebook, which gave her freedom and efficiency.

She also highlights a common mistake: buying containers before decluttering just leads to more dust-covered clutter. Instead, start by editing what's truly necessary to avoid being overwhelmed. This minimalist approach applies beyond physical belongings to time, energy, and commitments, helping you focus on what matters most.

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