Getting organized can be a full-time job. Fortunately for us, personal organizers can take all the stress out of it. This guest post is by Nancy Nino— personal organizer extraordinaire in Hawaii. Today, she inspires us to cut the clutter from our tropical abodes. Her other articles include finding a personal organizer in Hawaii and styling your bungalow(or mansion).

Take it away, Nancy...

Admit it. We are pretty lucky here in paradise, what with being treated to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Isn't it ironic, then, that such picturesque beauty can provide a stark contrast to the cluttered scenes often found inside of our island homes.

As many Hawaii of us residents live in smaller spaces than our mainland counterparts, we are required to be more strategic with our space and, frankly, more committed to the organizing process. Following are four powerful tips for cutting the clutter and regaining the spacial freedom for family, friends and creativity.

1. A place for everything.

"A place for everything, and everything in its place." This is the organized person's mantra. Clutter happens when there is no specified place for things. When items are "homeless", clutter ends up accumulating in every nook and cranny, on every counter top and in every cupboard and drawer. The sum total is a sense of us wading through an overloaded sea of "things" that we end up despising as opposed to appreciating. Designate a "home" for everything in your home!

2. Avoid cluttermakers.

Cluttermakers are those unplanned-for purchases that produce clutter.

We never intended to buy them. We ran into them in a store or on the Internet one day and were intrigued by them. "This will make my life easier, better, happier...etc.," we thought to ourselves. These cluttermakers were not "on our list." We may not have even been aware of their existence before we walked into the store or visited that site. Your pocketbook as well as your psyche will appreciate your new found dedication to avoiding these little chotchskies and useless gadgets like the plague.

3. Avoid cluttersellers.

Closely related to the previous point, cluttersellers are particular stores that are loaded with cluttermakers. Big box stores are notorious for selling such items. While it's not practical or necessary to avoid these retailers altogether, resolve to visit them with a list and stick to your guns! Remember, stores have "sales" to sell you things. Consider that those things will need a place and a use in your home and think ahead to if you really and truly need them!

4. One in, one out.

Another classic mantra of the organized person is "one in, one out." If something comes into your house, whether it's a pencil or a bedroom set, something else must go out. This is a basic principle which forces you to consider what will "go" when purchasing a "cluttermaker" (or, indeed, any item). Especially consider this with large groups or collections of items. Start in the kitchen or even with your wardrobe. You're likely to find yourself buying less but higher quality items.

Start by applying these four tips in your home and

Nancy Nino, founder of Aloha Organizers, strives to achieve a life well-lived and a life well-organized for both herself and her clients. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, the Hawaii Association of Professional Organizers and Faithful Organizers, Nancy is committed to keeping up with industry best practices, as well as learning from and working in concert with her colleagues in the field.

Learn more about ridiculously helpful kama`aina services in Honolulu. Visiting the islands on vacation? John Fischer has some excellent ideas for you here.

Questions? Comments? Please email or tweet me.