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BY BRANDON BOGAN 2018 RC COUNCIL CHAIR JM BOGAN REMODELING Tidy as You Go The philosophy of remodeling is a complicated beast. The Remodelers Council helps us deconstruct its various parts and study each component more closely. Plus, we usually have food! Find your center at mbaks.com/rc I cannot remember the fi rst time I heard the words "tidy as you go." It's a phrase I frequently hear my father say. Of all the wise one-liners, tidy as you go has had the most profound impact on me. One might call me a compulsive when it comes to decluttering. My wife and I love to analyze perceived value versus true value. If I live clutter free, I can remain focused and creative. If I tidy as I go, spring cleaning becomes unnecessary. That said, despite my best eff orts I do fall short of my ideal, and when I do, a thorough purging is in order. This goes for both life and home. Metaphysical and practical. No matter which, when the time for a cleaning comes, I follow four steps inspired in part by renowned organizing consultant Marie Kondo. With these steps, I can return my environment to a state of zen tranquility. First, I imagine my ideal life in detail. What does it look like? Does it look cluttered and disorganized or does it look tidy? By doing this I answer the question, "Why do I want to clean?" Second, I complete the task at hand at once. I do not prolong this phase of my development. I remind myself this is not a painful exercise. Rather, this is a great event. I get to be rid of everything that does not bring joy to my life. The third step is to tidy by category, not by area. By doing this, I eff ectively take inventory as I tidy. By dealing with one thing at a time, be it tools, clothes, or decorations, I stay focused and avoid fooling myself about an object's value. This brings me to the fourth and fi nal step. With every object, I remember to ask myself, "Does this item bring me joy?" By focusing only on the things I want in my life, rather than the things I would discard, the process remains positive and hopeful. But then, wouldn't it be easier if I just tidy as I go? By dealing with one thing at a time, be it tools, clothes, or decorations, I stay focused and avoid fooling myself about an object's value. UPCOMING EVENTS REMODELERS COUNCIL DINNER MAR 22 | 6–8:30 p.m. Glendale Country Club Bellevue REMODELERS COUNCIL OFF-SITE APR 26 | 5–7:30 p.m. Contract Furnishings Mart Seattle REX/T-REX AWARDS MAY 5 | 6–9 p.m. 36 master builder master builder SPRING 2018 ±²¨³ª ´¨²µ ¶·¦ ¸·¹¤¨