Practice the One In, One Out Rule, especially if you’d like to reduce the current amount you have.  For example, every time you purchase a new purse, donate, sell, or pass on an old purse.  Every time you’re given a new coffee mug, re-purpose, recycle, or pass on an old one.  Practicing this Rule will help prevent needless accumulation and stockpiling of unwanted items.

I’d recommend a modification of the Rule with items that we inadvertently bring into our space, for example,  plastic grocery store bags, food storage containers, shipping boxes, gift bags, tissue paper, swag gifts, and free samples of products we don’t use.    I’d recommend you practice the One In, Three (or more) Out Rule.

Read your E-mail with your calendar, date book or planner (whether it’s paper or electronic) right next to you so you can immediately jot down dates, notes and reminders.  This will make it easier to delete those E-mails, since the information will already be noted in your calendar.