On the desk of a new client sat a clear pickle jar, all tags removed, filled with golf balls.  The task at hand that day was to begin the process of de-cluttering her workspace.  While there were many things on the desk, the jar captured my curiosity.  This client did not strike me as a golf enthusiast, but I could be wrong.  When I enquired about the jar I was confused at first by the answer I received. 

“Oh, those are the important things in life.  They have to go first.”  Noticing the confusion that was very likely strewn across my face, she continued. 

“The golf balls are the important things in life, like family and time for myself.  I can fill in the space with marbles and then sand; things like work and errands, but if I fill the jar with the marbles and sand first, there will be no room for the golf balls.  When I am frustrated with something, the golf balls remind me that what I am dealing with is probably a marble, if not sand, and I can handle it.  They also remind me that I shouldn’t spend too much time on the small things; if I do the golf balls aren’t going to fit!”

Needless to say, the golf balls made the cut that day.  However, they found a place on a nearby shelf.  After all, it isn’t clutter if it has a purpose.  How do you remind yourself to focus on the important things?  Let us know on Facebook.  I can’t wait to read your responses!