I’ll never forget visiting a client for the second time, years ago. It had been six months since our first visit and at the time I’d reviewed all of her samples and provided guidance and selection. I urged her to get rid of those that didn’t work, after all, samples don’t improve with age. Unfortunately she didn’t heed my advice and had the same old samples hanging around when I went for my second visit. Not only had she not gotten rid of any but she’d not made any forward progress on her project.

When you have samples of any kind, in any business, you need to determine if they are going to work and go ahead and order or return or toss them. Sample hoarding only adds clutter and chaos not just to your business but to your mind. It is like a grand series of open decisions that you haven’t confirmed and closed. This is noise in your mind as well as actual junk on your shelves, in your closet, around your office, and in your car.  (No you can’t skip the car, too many professionals these days make it an office on wheels, what does yours look like?)

I’m often amazed at how hard showrooms have to chase my colleagues in design who have a “sample closet.” This closet is overflowing, dangerously so in many cases, with out of date fabrics, faded paint chips, expired wallpaper books, no longer available furniture pieces and more. It is a weight around the business and around you. I’ve never had a closet, instead I’ve always kept strictly the samples that are approved and ordered in a neat file for each client. What is the benefit of hoarding those pieces that got nixed, weren’t a fit, and will get out of date?

Perhaps it’s the advent of the A&E show Hoarders that reminded me of the importance of cleaning out, or just my naturally neat habits. (Yes, I was one of those annoying kids nicknamed a “neatnik” by my sisters.) Regardless, of whether it’s the start of your year or someplace in the middle, get rid of the clutter, ditch the chaos, and you’ll find yourself inviting new opportunities by the droves. The universe has taught us all that it hates a vacuum and for every bit of clearing out and cleaning up that you do, more new ways to fill that space will appear.

Oh, and did you know that there is a significant cost involved with samples in every industry? So by returning those you don’t need or want to keep on hand for future reference, you will actually help cut down the cost of goods sold and help to ensure that industry pricing doesn’t skyrocket due to professional abuses! C’mon now, time to clean it up and clear it out.

Your comments are always welcome and I invite you to share stories of how getting organized and letting go of the clutter has opened your life and business to new possibilities.