The Assertiveness Training Guide for Organized Living - Getting Rid of Other People's Stuff

This lesson in the assertiveness training guide for organized living is based on the following right:

You have the right to abandon the care of other people’s stuff (OPS)

It is possible to change your attitude about your responsibility to take care of other's people's stuff.

OK so maybe what you are storing is not as bad as the old car pictured here, but whatever it is, just because someone has entrusted their belongings to you does not mean that you need to be responsible for them if they are becoming a burden or occupying valuable real estate in your space.

If it is not yours, you have the right not to take care of it. You even have the right to change your mind about taking care of OPS! After all when you first said yes you had no idea it would be around for this long!!

Anything that someone else has left with your for storage is not important to them or they would be taking care of it on their own.

If you believe that you must look after OPS because they have trusted you to do so then you might like to change your attitude by adopting some new beliefs. Otherwise it will be hard to achieve control.

The Assertiveness Training Guide for Organized Living suggests that there are constraining beliefs that might prevent you from asserting your rights to abandon the care of OPS. These beliefs can be replaced with more affirming beliefs that will change your attitude to a positive one.

With your change of attitude you are now ready to take action.

1. Call the other person and ask them how important these items are to them


2. Suggest that items that are not looked after are either not wanted or not important


3. Agree on a specific date for the item to be removed.


4. Investigate various removal services that might be needed to get rid of the OPS such as for removing old cars or charity pickups for donated items


5. Call and set a date for removal of the OPS for the day after the other person has agreed to come and get it


6. A few days before the agreed upon time call them and remind them “Just wanted to make sure we are still on for Thursday……….”


7. Tell them at that time that you have scheduled for removal of the item the next day, “Just in case you change your mind and do not want to pick this item up I have scheduled a removal truck for the next day.”

Following these steps in the Assertiveness Training Guide for Organized Living can help you to get rid of other people's stuff, without feeling guilty! Better yet say "No" if you really do not want to take care of OPS and you will not have to go through this exercise of getting rid of it.