Kick Butt Tip: Your Daily Effort is What Makes the Difference

If you're like me when you hear the name Jenny Craig, you think of weight loss and nutrition right? In fact, Jenny Craig and her husband actually designed their famous program in Australia back in the early 80's. In the mid-eighties, they brought that same program to the United States. To say it was a success would be an understatement.

A big thanks to Jenny Craig who gives us today's Kick Butt Tip of the Day. "It's not what you do once in a while. It's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference."

We both know exactly what we would like to happen in reference to our dreams, our goals and things that we just need to get done. But, just getting started is often the most difficult part of the process. What we need to do is just take action and just do what needs to be done.

Let me help you out with a couple of great stories.

According to those that know Michael Jordan, Michael was always, not occasionally, Michael was always the first player in the gym when he was at the top of his game playing for the World Champion Chicago Bulls. Teammates also would say that Michael had one of the most intense training regimens ever.

If you play golf, you probably have heard about The Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus and what it took to be the best golfer in the world. Some says that Nicklaus hit hundreds of golf balls every day while he was the number one player in the world. That is commitment to being the best.

So my friend, if you want it, it's probably not going to fall in your lap. You might have to get out of that recliner or out of that office chair and take action.

Remember, God don't make no junk. You are awesome! Now go be awesome.

- Don Chase's Kick Butt Tip of the Day is a daily motivational feature designed to give you the inspiration you need to power through your day. Check out all the Kick Butt Tips here.

As we step into the New Year, it's a great time to clean up our homes and get a fresh start. A survey by Cinch Home Services found that many people have been on a cleaning spree. According to the survey by the home warranty provider, 70.3% of respondents have engaged in a cleaning spree since the start of last year, with 62.6% expressing a "very or extremely" committed attitude toward maintaining cleanliness. Despite these efforts, 45.9% still admit feeling embarrassed about the current state of their living spaces.

In light of these findings, it's worth considering the impact of physical clutter on our cognitive processes. Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other brain-mapping tools, discovered that an abundance of objects in our visual fields hinders information processing. Essentially, the presence of too much stuff limits our ability to focus on the task at hand.

Additionally, a sleep study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed that people sleeping in cluttered rooms are more prone to developing sleep problems and are at a higher risk of developing hoarding disorders.

Recognizing the challenge of finding motivation for decluttering, The Spruce, a home and lifestyle website, provides helpful tips. They recommend using a decluttering checklist to simplify the process, making decisions about what to clear out more manageable. Additionally, using such a checklist allows you to track your progress by checking items off as you work through it. It’s a simple yet motivating and empowering act.

The Spruce recommends focusing on little victories instead of trying to tackle everything at once. This makes the whole process less overwhelming.

For more help, The Spruce breaks down which rooms to clean first and what items to get rid of in each room.  You can find their complete guide here.

Check out some of the top items below.

Expired items take the lead on their bathroom decluttering agenda. This includes makeup that has expired or is no longer used, along with medicines and prescriptions that have reached their expiration date or are no longer necessary. Additionally, items like dried-out nail polish, skincare products, and makeup samples are on their bathroom declutter list.

Paper clutter tops the list for decluttering the bedroom, followed by books that won't be revisited and old magazines. It's perfectly fine to part ways with these items, especially if they've been sitting around gathering dust. You can even opt for something digital instead of having paper as your go-to.

A common decluttering challenge we all face is the overflowing closet. According to The Spruce, the first step is to address clothes that no longer fit. They also advise getting rid of items that haven't been worn in over nine months.

When it comes to your kitchen, duplicate kitchen tools take precedence on their decluttering list. This includes items like extra vegetable peelers, bottle openers, and garlic presses. They also recommend getting rid of appliances that you use only once a year or less. Yes, even if it's that toaster oven collecting dust on your counter.