a. I set my goal: de-clutter for 15 minutes in the kitchen and 15 minutes in my office.

b. I realize that I have several hours available. Plenty of time. So without thinking about it too much, I start doing other things, things that are good, but are not de-cluttering. Like eating breakfast. Like washing dishes.

c. Then I suddenly remember that phone call that was scheduled for 9:30am. Oops. Something else that is not de-cluttering.

d. After the phone call, sitting in the kitchen, I remember that I am supposed to be de-cluttering. I think to myself that 15 minutes isn’t enough, that it won’t make a dent. I feel overwhelmed by how long it would take to get rid of all the clutter. I grab some newspapers and start stacking them for recycling. “Oh, look, here’s a sudoku puzzle.” I start working on it.

e. Sudoku puzzle done. I look at my watch, and realize it’s getting late. I think to myself, well, I don’t know that I can fit this in this morning. Start watering plants. That needs to be done, too.

f. Look at watch again. Still have an hour. If I start right now, I could still do it. Come upstairs and log on to computer. Write this entry.