Low-Hanging Fruit

Recently while helping a client organize her overflow of possessions for an imminent move, I said I would begin with the low-hanging fruit. She didn't understand what I meant so I thought I'd better explain.

The World English Dictionary online defines low-hanging fruit as:

1. the fruit that grows low on the tree and is therefore easy to reach

2. a course of action that can be undertaken quickly and easily as part of a wider range of changes or solutions to a problem

At wiseGeek.com another clue:  Low-hanging fruit is ... "usually more abundant and easier to harvest... which generally means selecting the easiest targets with the least amount of effort."

Low-hanging fruit is a term I borrowed from my marketing/sales background but it applies to organizing as well. Just as we may focus on the easy sales prospects first, it's a good way to begin any organizing job particularly for those with hoarding challenges.

I advise my clients to work on what's easy and obvious first. In a hoarder's home, there are often items in the path we can pick up and put elsewhere, trash to toss, expired food, bottles and cans to recycle quickly.

Often just starting with the low-hanging fruit will lighten the load and give you a great sense of accomplishment with little emotional angst. Let me know if it works for you.