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This week, Erin R. Doland releases her new book, "Unclutter Your LIfe in One Week." And while that might seem pretty impossible, I've dissected a few of her tips to set you off on the right foot.

*Routines: Doland stresses the importance of routine, saying that it will actually give one time in their schedules to pursue the things that truly matter to them. If it seems as if your days fly by so fast that you barely have time to take a lunch break, then it may be time to create an effective time management strategy. Start by planning a realistic routine that you'll actually stick to. Organize in a way that best suits you, by checking out the D*Y*I* Planner templates at: www.diyplanner.com. The best part? It's free!

*Just Say No: When it comes to activities that take you away from your friends and family and drastically limit your social time, say no. At least once a week it's important to make a social obligation and stick with it. After all, your loved ones are a priority, no? Of course, for all those who can't stay still for too long, this doesn't mean you can't be productive at the same time. Plan a regular time to exercise with friends: hiking, surfing, take a dance class, etc. Or, make Sunday flea market shopping a ritual - that way you can beautify your home or search for long, lost treasures in the company of pals (who can also talk you out of those terrible impulse buys!) No matter what it is that you like to do in your spare time - make sure to keep your dates!

*Stay-At-Home: This brings us to quiet time. Doland suggests at least one night a week for alone time to take care of ourselves. Watch an entire season of your favorite guilty pleasure, create a spa in your own bathroom in order to pamper yourself, or zen out with a free online meditation tool such as one found on Discovery's Meditation Station (www.health.discovery.com/centers/stress/meditation-station)

*Make a List: We all have a lot of things we want to do, or at least the things we 'intend' to do someday...and of course, there are those things we NEED to do. And between the needs and wants, everything somehow gets muddled all together. To prevent that from happening, WRITE IT ALL DOWN. Carrying a notebook can help you put your ambitions to paper and help you focus. Writer and artist Philipp Keel came up with the Simple Diary to combat information overload and gain insight. Get yours at: www.simplediary.com. AND, most importantly - once you've written down the things you hope to accomplish - take the time to actually do them!

*Take a Class: Once you spend your hard earned money on something it becomes more of a commitment. Besides acquiring a new skill, picking up pottery, yoga, or sailing will expand your horizons socially as well. In LA for example, check out places like Home Ec in Silverlake, The New School of Cooking in Culver City or Bitter Root Pottery on Beverly Blvd.

*Make No Excuses: Putting things off feels much worse in the long run than the small, mundane tasks that seem annoying to do today. Pushed aside, these small things - like picking up the dry cleaning, avoiding that necessary trip to the bank, or ignoring a long distance phone call from your mother - compound until even the pettiest of things feels overwhelming. Yes, taking out the trash first thing on a Saturday morning may not be exactly what you want to do, but trust me, you'll feel better once it's outside where it belongs.