Decluttering and Organising Like a Professional Athlete: Lessons from the Melbourne Storm Legends

Written by Julie Cliff, Declutter Coach at Space and Time and ChatGPT

Many of you would know that Space and Time Founder, Julie Cliff was the first woman to be inducted as a Melbourne Storm life member after her 15-year service to the club. The rugby league is a huge part of Julie’s life. Consequently, her interest in the habits of a professional athlete is of absolute fascination; particularly, how can “us everyday Aussies” learn from their dedication and apply it to our daily lives. Jules asked ChatGPT this question and here’s what it came up with.

Decluttering and organising our homes can often seem like a daunting task, overwhelming us with the sheer amount of stuff we accumulate over time. However, by adopting the mindset of a professional athlete, we can approach this challenge with determination, discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In this blog, we’ll explore how the legendary Melbourne Storm players, such as Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, and Cameron Smith, have honed their skills through years of practice and dedication. By emulating their work ethic, we can tackle decluttering and organisation in our lives, understanding that perfecting our craft takes time and unwavering commitment.

The One-eyed Determination of Professional Athletes

Professional athletes like those who have graced the Melbourne Storm team exhibit an unwavering determination to excel in their sport. They understand that success doesn’t come overnight and that consistent effort is required to reach the pinnacle of their abilities. Similarly, when it comes to decluttering and organising, we must adopt a one-eyed determination to persevere through the process. Remember that the clutter in your home doesn’t accumulate in a day, and it won’t disappear instantly either. Dedicate yourself to the task and stay focused on the end goal.

Practice Makes Perfect

Athletes spend countless hours perfecting their craft, fine-tuning their skills, and ironing out any weaknesses. Just as they practice relentlessly, we too must dedicate time and effort to decluttering and organising our spaces. Start by setting aside regular intervals each day or week to tackle different areas of your home. Make it a habit, and over time, you’ll notice improvements. Like a professional athlete, repetition and consistency are key to achieving mastery in decluttering.

Letting Go: Embracing Minimalism

One essential aspect of decluttering is learning to let go. Athletes often have to make tough decisions and sacrifices to achieve greatness. Similarly, we must be willing to part ways with items that no longer serve a purpose in our lives. Decluttering requires us to embrace minimalism, focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the excess. Take inspiration from athletes who prioritise their training and streamline their routines to enhance their performance. By decluttering our physical spaces, we create room for clarity, peace, and a more intentional lifestyle.

Getting Organised: Developing Systems and Routines

Professional athletes rely on meticulous planning, routines, and strategies to excel in their sport. Similarly, creating systems and routines is vital for effective organisation. Develop a personalised organisation system that suits your lifestyle and needs. This could include categorising items, utilising storage solutions, and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule. As you refine and optimise your systems, you’ll find that staying organised becomes second nature, just like the Melbourne Storm players seamlessly execute their game plans.

Embracing the Journey

The journey to becoming a professional athlete is marked by ups and downs, setbacks, and triumphs. Similarly, the process of decluttering and organising can be challenging, but it’s essential to embrace the journey. Understand that it won’t be easy overnight, but each step forward brings you closer to your goal. Like the new generation of Melbourne Storm players, such as Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, and Xavier Coates, who continue the legacy of their predecessors, commit to the long-term process of improving your organisational skills.

By approaching decluttering and organising our homes with the mindset of a professional athlete, we can transform our spaces and our lives. Just as the Melbourne Storm legends honed their skills through dedication and hard work, we too can perfect our organisational craft with consistent effort. Remember to cultivate one-eyed determination, practice regularly, embrace minimalism, develop effective systems, and enjoy the journey. Decluttering and organising will become easier over time, leading to a more harmonious and balanced living environment. So, gear up, channel your inner athlete, and let the transformation begin!