7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Susan Piver whose topic is spirituality.
Question: Where and with whom have spiritual values such as gentleness, kindness, and bravery shown up in my life is 2011? Are these the qualities I hold as the highest spiritual values, or are there others? Where and with whom do I wish to express/manifest/share them in 2012?
The Dalai Lama has famously said, "My religion is simple. My religion is kindness." There are certain qualities that transcend all belief systems and these can be thought of as spiritual values. For me, gentleness (defined as opening to and accepting yourself from moment to moment; feeling what you feel without judgment or agenda), kindness (feeling, knowing, and acting as if all beings are just like me in that they seek love and happiness), and bravery (inviting my fears, confusion, and personal nuttiness as part of the path) are among those values. How about you? How did 2011 meet or defeat your spiritual journey? Where do you long to go in 2012? Use today's question to lead you further along the path.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking: Day Five
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Jonathan Fields on creativity.
Question: What have I learned about living the creative life in 2011? And how will it change what and how I create moving forward?
I was somehow delivered into this life with the mad Jones to create, but not the ability to handle the process without a fair amount of anxiety. To do what I'm here to do, I figured, I'd have to suffer. But, I've now come to a different understanding. Action in the face of uncertainty is essential to creation. To life, really. How we experience that walk into the unknown is much more a matter of choice and practice. We can choose to frame and experience it not just as pain, but as elevation. It's not easy, but the question isn't whether it's easy, it's whether it's worth the effort. I'm very much in the beginning of this learning, but so far, the reward has far outpaced the effort.
So, as we move into a new year, what would you venture to create if you felt equipped to handle whatever the process brought you?
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Jonathan Fields on creativity.
Question: What have I learned about living the creative life in 2011? And how will it change what and how I create moving forward?
I was somehow delivered into this life with the mad Jones to create, but not the ability to handle the process without a fair amount of anxiety. To do what I'm here to do, I figured, I'd have to suffer. But, I've now come to a different understanding. Action in the face of uncertainty is essential to creation. To life, really. How we experience that walk into the unknown is much more a matter of choice and practice. We can choose to frame and experience it not just as pain, but as elevation. It's not easy, but the question isn't whether it's easy, it's whether it's worth the effort. I'm very much in the beginning of this learning, but so far, the reward has far outpaced the effort.
So, as we move into a new year, what would you venture to create if you felt equipped to handle whatever the process brought you?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking: Day Four
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Jen Louden on serving.
Question: How did I serve in 2011? Whom did I serve? What aspects of my service brought me alive? What aspects drained me? If I could serve in any way possible in 2012, what would I create? Let your imagination run wild.
Service can sound so dull and feel so heavy, something only really good (cue white toothy smile) people do or something you do to other people for their own good. Yuck. Let's ditch those ideas. Instead, try on the idea that service is your heart's desire made visible. Service is the act of sharing what you most care about for the greater good. It requires no special goodness, thankfully. After our basic needs are met, we all yearn to make a difference and service springs from listening to that yearning - and taking action on it, step by little step.
Service makes you tingle with aliveness like all true acts of intimacy. It's deeply creative, generative, and yes, risky, because it means you share your heart. It's also as natural as breathing, and like breathing, must include giving and receiving.
How will you serve in 2012? I can't wait to hear!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking: Day Three
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from me on organization.
Question: When I look back over 2011 and think of how time, choices and objects have been organized, do I see harmony and ease? Did I seek out the natural place for things to land and rest? Where did I struggle to force things into literal or figurative containers? Do I recognize the order in the universe and see my life reflected in that order?
Organization is about recognizing what ‘enough’ looks like and feels like; about holding things loosely while learning deep appreciation for the comfort, convenience, beauty and functionality that objects offer. When I clutch, grab, or hold something too closely or tightly, instead of creating a feeling of safety and security, what grows is a sense of anxiety and fear—that the object will break, be lost or assert its impermanence in some other way.
Possession often hastens the outcome I had hoped to prevent.
The things that I intended/expected to increase the quality of my life begin distracting me from that quality.
What can I do in 2012 to move through time and space more harmoniously, recognizing that everything I need is within easy reach? How best can I release those things that no longer serve me (on any plane) to find new homes more suited to their purpose? How might I increase joy in equal or greater measure to my worldly accumulation?
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from me on organization.
Question: When I look back over 2011 and think of how time, choices and objects have been organized, do I see harmony and ease? Did I seek out the natural place for things to land and rest? Where did I struggle to force things into literal or figurative containers? Do I recognize the order in the universe and see my life reflected in that order?
Organization is about recognizing what ‘enough’ looks like and feels like; about holding things loosely while learning deep appreciation for the comfort, convenience, beauty and functionality that objects offer. When I clutch, grab, or hold something too closely or tightly, instead of creating a feeling of safety and security, what grows is a sense of anxiety and fear—that the object will break, be lost or assert its impermanence in some other way.
Possession often hastens the outcome I had hoped to prevent.
The things that I intended/expected to increase the quality of my life begin distracting me from that quality.
What can I do in 2012 to move through time and space more harmoniously, recognizing that everything I need is within easy reach? How best can I release those things that no longer serve me (on any plane) to find new homes more suited to their purpose? How might I increase joy in equal or greater measure to my worldly accumulation?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking: Day Two
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Ken Robert whose topic is shadows.
Question: In what way have I been living in the shadows in 2011? How might my life change if I came out into the light in 2012? What strengths could I discover and share if I gave up hiding my weaknesses?
Sometimes we stay hidden, fearful that others might see our wounds and blemishes. We think we're the only ones who bear them. But I find that when I expose my weaknesses, I give others permission to expose theirs, too. There, beneath the light and in between the blemishes, we find we have strengths we never noticed before. Hiding becomes far less appealing and we're drawn to living instead. In 2011, what were you hiding all year? What could you do to stop hiding in 2012? What treasures will you find when you step out into the light?
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Ken Robert whose topic is shadows.
Question: In what way have I been living in the shadows in 2011? How might my life change if I came out into the light in 2012? What strengths could I discover and share if I gave up hiding my weaknesses?
Sometimes we stay hidden, fearful that others might see our wounds and blemishes. We think we're the only ones who bear them. But I find that when I expose my weaknesses, I give others permission to expose theirs, too. There, beneath the light and in between the blemishes, we find we have strengths we never noticed before. Hiding becomes far less appealing and we're drawn to living instead. In 2011, what were you hiding all year? What could you do to stop hiding in 2012? What treasures will you find when you step out into the light?
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking: Day One
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Patti Digh, whose topic is bendiness/body.
Question: Where have I learned and lived in 2011?--in my head, in my body, or both? What would living more fully in my body in 2012 bring to me? How can I embody life and learning as I move through this liminal space between now and next? How can I more fully learn from the neck down in 2012?
In our hyper-intellectualized disembodied world, we sometimes allow technology to take the place of our bodies, don't we? We sit, with only our arms moving as we type. We've even begun to distrust what our bodies say to us. Instead, we learn from the neck up, when learning from the neck down and fully embodying life will provide us with such greater riches. What do you allow yourself to really feel in your body, without the need to clarify, intellectualize, provide proof, capture with data, or block? What can you allow yourself to really feel in your body in 2012?
7 Teachers
7 Questions
Today's question comes from Patti Digh, whose topic is bendiness/body.
Question: Where have I learned and lived in 2011?--in my head, in my body, or both? What would living more fully in my body in 2012 bring to me? How can I embody life and learning as I move through this liminal space between now and next? How can I more fully learn from the neck down in 2012?
In our hyper-intellectualized disembodied world, we sometimes allow technology to take the place of our bodies, don't we? We sit, with only our arms moving as we type. We've even begun to distrust what our bodies say to us. Instead, we learn from the neck up, when learning from the neck down and fully embodying life will provide us with such greater riches. What do you allow yourself to really feel in your body, without the need to clarify, intellectualize, provide proof, capture with data, or block? What can you allow yourself to really feel in your body in 2012?
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The Week of Inward Looking
7 Days
7 Teachers
7 Questions
A few weeks ago, I was asked to join six very distinguished thinkers and teachers for what we are calling The Week of Inward Looking.
Beginning tomorrow, December 26, 2011 and continuing through January 1, 2012, one teacher each day will offer her or his thoughts on the current year and pose a question to contemplate for the new year.
You're encouraged to post here, on Facebook and/or your own blog your thoughts and ideas that result from the reading and reflection.
What a wonderful way to close out one year and usher in another with grace, clarity and mindfulness. Together we can share our successes and challenges while laying the groundwork for an even better year to come.
7 Teachers
7 Questions
A few weeks ago, I was asked to join six very distinguished thinkers and teachers for what we are calling The Week of Inward Looking.
Beginning tomorrow, December 26, 2011 and continuing through January 1, 2012, one teacher each day will offer her or his thoughts on the current year and pose a question to contemplate for the new year.
You're encouraged to post here, on Facebook and/or your own blog your thoughts and ideas that result from the reading and reflection.
What a wonderful way to close out one year and usher in another with grace, clarity and mindfulness. Together we can share our successes and challenges while laying the groundwork for an even better year to come.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Emergency Kit
Funny topic as we slide into the holidays, but I was recently asked about creating an emergency kit for the home.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, visit FEMA's site here and download their checklist.
Likewise, the Mayo Clinic has a great list of suggestions on their site.
Preparation is the antidote to anxiety. And wobbly politics aside, the scouts did get at least one thing right:
Rather than reinvent the wheel, visit FEMA's site here and download their checklist.
Likewise, the Mayo Clinic has a great list of suggestions on their site.
Preparation is the antidote to anxiety. And wobbly politics aside, the scouts did get at least one thing right:
Monday, December 12, 2011
Manners ...
... by way of Lynne Truss.
This time of year brings out the best and worst in folks. So I thought a little refresher in manners would be helpful to us all.
Manners are about showing consideration and using empathy. But they are also about being connected to a common good; they are about being better. Respect and consideration are traditionally due to people for all sorts of reasons, some big, some small.
Here are 20 reasons to show special politeness to other people:
This time of year brings out the best and worst in folks. So I thought a little refresher in manners would be helpful to us all.
Manners are about showing consideration and using empathy. But they are also about being connected to a common good; they are about being better. Respect and consideration are traditionally due to people for all sorts of reasons, some big, some small.
Here are 20 reasons to show special politeness to other people:
1) They are older.
2) They know more than you do.
3) They know less than you do.
4) They got here first.
5) They have educational qualifications in the subject under discussion.
6) You are in their house.
7) They once helped you financially.
9) They are less fortunate than you.
10) They have achieved status in the wider world.
11) You are serving them in a shop.
12) They are in the right.
13) They are your boss.
14) They work for you.
15) They are a policeman/teacher/doctor/judge.
16) They are in need.
17) They are doing you a favor.
18) They paid for the tickets.
19) You phoned them, not the other way around.
20) They have a menial job.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Receipts to keep
I am asked all the time about receipts -- what to keep and how to file them.
We'll look at what to keep first.
As a rule, there are only six (6) kinds of receipts that you need to keep:
1) Capital improvements to a piece of real estate you own. These may be added to your cost basis when selling to reduce any taxable profit you may show.
2) Major purchases, such as appliances, equipment, etc. And if you ever want to call the manufacturer for technical support, go online within the first 30 days of ownership and register your purchase. They may demand proof of purchase when you first call in and if you haven't registered, you may need to fax or email them your receipt at that time.
3) Service and repairs to either your home or vehicle. A full record of service performed demonstrates your thoughtfulness and thoroughness when selling these kinds of assets. You will be in a better position to negotiate if you can show the care with which you've maintained these assets while in your possession.
4) Tax-deductible expenses. These are expenses that will be reflected on your tax return, either on a Schedule C or other form.
5) Reimbursable expenses. These are purchases that you made on behalf of someone else or are otherwise entitled to submit to an employer, client or friend to recapture your expenses.
6) Items you are not yet committed to keeping and may return to the store. After the window has closed for these purchases to BE returned, unless the item also falls under one of the above categories, shred it.
We'll look at how to file them tomorrow.
You can certainly store them before filing in something like this ... but I would suggest NOT allowing them to accumulate to this degree before filing!
We'll look at what to keep first.
As a rule, there are only six (6) kinds of receipts that you need to keep:
1) Capital improvements to a piece of real estate you own. These may be added to your cost basis when selling to reduce any taxable profit you may show.
2) Major purchases, such as appliances, equipment, etc. And if you ever want to call the manufacturer for technical support, go online within the first 30 days of ownership and register your purchase. They may demand proof of purchase when you first call in and if you haven't registered, you may need to fax or email them your receipt at that time.
3) Service and repairs to either your home or vehicle. A full record of service performed demonstrates your thoughtfulness and thoroughness when selling these kinds of assets. You will be in a better position to negotiate if you can show the care with which you've maintained these assets while in your possession.
4) Tax-deductible expenses. These are expenses that will be reflected on your tax return, either on a Schedule C or other form.
5) Reimbursable expenses. These are purchases that you made on behalf of someone else or are otherwise entitled to submit to an employer, client or friend to recapture your expenses.
6) Items you are not yet committed to keeping and may return to the store. After the window has closed for these purchases to BE returned, unless the item also falls under one of the above categories, shred it.
We'll look at how to file them tomorrow.
You can certainly store them before filing in something like this ... but I would suggest NOT allowing them to accumulate to this degree before filing!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Killing time ...
What an awful concept and phrase.
I appreciate that you might sometimes feel bored.
And I appreciate that you might sometimes feel restless or irritable.
But the idea of murdering time to make it pass seems ... odd.
Particularly if you have ever uttered the phrase, "I don't have time!"
I appreciate that you might sometimes feel bored.
And I appreciate that you might sometimes feel restless or irritable.
But the idea of murdering time to make it pass seems ... odd.
Particularly if you have ever uttered the phrase, "I don't have time!"
Friday, December 9, 2011
More-ism
"More is more!" -- Bob Richter, etc.
"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful." -- Mae West
Maybe. Maybe not.
"In charity, there is no excess." -- Sir Francis Bacon
That I agree with, without reservation.
But when it comes to stuff, I think it's a slippery slope. You need to be really clear on what the 'more' is all about.
As a design aesthetic, sure. As a quip, it's amusing.
But when the 'more' becomes a distraction or an obstacle and stands in the way of accomplishing the things that you say are important to you, when 'more' keeps you from showing up in the ways you think are appropriate ... what is the 'more' really about?
At what cost 'more?'
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful." -- Mae West
Maybe. Maybe not.
"In charity, there is no excess." -- Sir Francis Bacon
That I agree with, without reservation.
But when it comes to stuff, I think it's a slippery slope. You need to be really clear on what the 'more' is all about.
As a design aesthetic, sure. As a quip, it's amusing.
But when the 'more' becomes a distraction or an obstacle and stands in the way of accomplishing the things that you say are important to you, when 'more' keeps you from showing up in the ways you think are appropriate ... what is the 'more' really about?
At what cost 'more?'
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
More about how and why
Continuing from yesterday ...
When you're ready to make some changes, you'll want to surrender the search for WHY and focus on HOW.
HOW can you do something different?
HOW can you successfully change your behavior in a powerful and lasting way?
HOW can you create the life for yourself that you fantasize about rather than dreaming of it and resenting the way you actually live?
It might not be sexy, be easy to art direct or sell a lot of magazines, but the answer is simple:
That is a key to making lasting change.
You will do whatever is in front of you if you can't think of anything else to do and nothing else is demanding your attention.
Or you will go from crisis to crisis, trying to quiet down the loudest demand for your time and attention.
A life of meaning and purpose does not mean a life devoid of spontaneity.
So if you feel push back from the above, sit with that conversation or feeling and get very clear on what you're actually saying to yourself.
If you're offering resistance to being methodical and deliberate because you think that by being methodical and deliberate you won't be able to impulsively drive the kids to get ice cream in the middle of the day ... you're mixing apples and oranges.
You probably won't rush off to the mall to shop for nothing you need to 'kill' time.
But you would definitely have enough time to do something fun and surprising with people you care about.
That's the difference.
You probably don't need to worry that you'll have less time to watch TV.
And can focus on the fact that you WILL have more time for the things that really matter to you.
When you're ready to make some changes, you'll want to surrender the search for WHY and focus on HOW.
HOW can you do something different?
HOW can you successfully change your behavior in a powerful and lasting way?
HOW can you create the life for yourself that you fantasize about rather than dreaming of it and resenting the way you actually live?
It might not be sexy, be easy to art direct or sell a lot of magazines, but the answer is simple:
Alignment with your core values.
That is a key to making lasting change.
You will do what is important to you ...
if you know what that is and if you are focused on it.
if you know what that is and if you are focused on it.
You will do whatever is in front of you if you can't think of anything else to do and nothing else is demanding your attention.
Or you will go from crisis to crisis, trying to quiet down the loudest demand for your time and attention.
A life of meaning and purpose does not mean a life devoid of spontaneity.
So if you feel push back from the above, sit with that conversation or feeling and get very clear on what you're actually saying to yourself.
If you're offering resistance to being methodical and deliberate because you think that by being methodical and deliberate you won't be able to impulsively drive the kids to get ice cream in the middle of the day ... you're mixing apples and oranges.
You probably won't rush off to the mall to shop for nothing you need to 'kill' time.
But you would definitely have enough time to do something fun and surprising with people you care about.
That's the difference.
You probably don't need to worry that you'll have less time to watch TV.
And can focus on the fact that you WILL have more time for the things that really matter to you.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Magazines and the search for "why?"
Lately I've seen a bunch of pitches from freelance writers who are hot on the trail of 'why' when it comes to clutter and disorganization.
In addition, they seem to be lumping together folks who are overwhelmed, chronically disorganized or surrounded by clutter with folks who could probably be labeled as hoarders -- which I think is unfortunate, as well as an error and oversimplification of the challenges people face around organization and clutter.
The pathology that is present in cases of actual hoarding does not present and appears embedded in a way that is distinct from the chronically disorganized or neurotic individual, even when chronic disorganization or neurosis is coupled with ADD, ADHD, OCD or some other disorder.
And while I appreciate the desire to be sensational and find some new angle on clutter and disorganization, I think drilling deeper rather than looking for a clever hook might be a stronger approach.
Particularly if your aim is to help folks break old bad habits and replace them with effective new habits.
If all you want to do is move magazines ... then it makes sense to look for the biggest train wreck and exploit it.
To quote Aretha Franklin, "I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees ..." but after years of doing this work with people from every background, race, gender, orientation and class -- there seem to be as many explanations for disorganization as there are people who are disorganized.
In a general sense, there are several types of people and corresponding types of clutter, but if we're looking for a common root cause that is universal, I don't know that that exists.
What I do know is that effective results are possible when you surrender the search for WHY and focus on HOW.
More about that tomorrow ...
In addition, they seem to be lumping together folks who are overwhelmed, chronically disorganized or surrounded by clutter with folks who could probably be labeled as hoarders -- which I think is unfortunate, as well as an error and oversimplification of the challenges people face around organization and clutter.
The pathology that is present in cases of actual hoarding does not present and appears embedded in a way that is distinct from the chronically disorganized or neurotic individual, even when chronic disorganization or neurosis is coupled with ADD, ADHD, OCD or some other disorder.
And while I appreciate the desire to be sensational and find some new angle on clutter and disorganization, I think drilling deeper rather than looking for a clever hook might be a stronger approach.
Particularly if your aim is to help folks break old bad habits and replace them with effective new habits.
If all you want to do is move magazines ... then it makes sense to look for the biggest train wreck and exploit it.
To quote Aretha Franklin, "I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees ..." but after years of doing this work with people from every background, race, gender, orientation and class -- there seem to be as many explanations for disorganization as there are people who are disorganized.
In a general sense, there are several types of people and corresponding types of clutter, but if we're looking for a common root cause that is universal, I don't know that that exists.
What I do know is that effective results are possible when you surrender the search for WHY and focus on HOW.
More about that tomorrow ...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
10 Ways to Save Money and Time During the Holidays
For those of you who do not subscribe to my email list, here's a document that I included in the most recent mailing.
It's my holiday gift to you ...
Happy Holidays and may this season bring you joy, peace and a sense of well-being that has nothing to do with stuff and everything to do with the people you love!
It's my holiday gift to you ...
Happy Holidays and may this season bring you joy, peace and a sense of well-being that has nothing to do with stuff and everything to do with the people you love!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Finishing the task ...
There's been a bit of a theme of procrastination running through the blog with several recent posts.
Here's another one ...
Every task has a beginning and an end.
Don't drop the task or imagine it finished before it actually is.
One of the most common occurrences of this happens with what I call 'adult homework.'
When you finish a call or a meeting with someone and your follow up involves sending along additional or clarifying materials, take the time as soon as the call or meeting is over to gather those materials together and send them.
That's the actual end of the meeting -- not when you log off, hang up the phone or walk out of the door.
If you need to put together a proposal, as soon as you're back at your desk, schedule an appointment with yourself to complete that task.
DO NOT add writing the proposal to a list of unassigned tasks that you keep running in either your mind or on random sheets of paper or a post-it stuck to your computer monitor.
That would just be creating more work and stress for yourself. And no real deadline for delivering the goods.
If you struggle with feeling like your 'to do' list is never ending and that you're surrounded by too many loose ends, this behavior may well be part of the cause.
So going forward, when scheduling meetings, you'll now want to begin budgeting enough time following a meeting to allow you to finish whatever homework might arise as a result of that meeting.
Or at the least to create an actual appointment with yourself when you will.
Here's another one ...
Finish the task.
Every task has a beginning and an end.
Don't drop the task or imagine it finished before it actually is.
One of the most common occurrences of this happens with what I call 'adult homework.'
When you finish a call or a meeting with someone and your follow up involves sending along additional or clarifying materials, take the time as soon as the call or meeting is over to gather those materials together and send them.
That's the actual end of the meeting -- not when you log off, hang up the phone or walk out of the door.
If you need to put together a proposal, as soon as you're back at your desk, schedule an appointment with yourself to complete that task.
DO NOT add writing the proposal to a list of unassigned tasks that you keep running in either your mind or on random sheets of paper or a post-it stuck to your computer monitor.
That would just be creating more work and stress for yourself. And no real deadline for delivering the goods.
If you struggle with feeling like your 'to do' list is never ending and that you're surrounded by too many loose ends, this behavior may well be part of the cause.
So going forward, when scheduling meetings, you'll now want to begin budgeting enough time following a meeting to allow you to finish whatever homework might arise as a result of that meeting.
Or at the least to create an actual appointment with yourself when you will.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Clutter = decisions deferred
When it comes to getting and staying organized, I've yet to meet anyone who wouldn't benefit from stepping up their game. Even the most organized of us can continually fine tune our processes.
Remember that the primary goal is always to uncover and recapture every minute that can be rescued from disorganization and to then spend it on something more important than a misplaced document or cell phone.
More love, less stuff! means just that.
Let's spend the maximum amount of time doing the things we love with the people we love and the minimum amount of time fretting over lost or misplaced items, missed deadlines and other consequences of disorganization.
One of the biggest creators of disorganization and clutter that will keep you chasing your tail is just setting something down on any open (or not so open) surface, thinking you'll put that item in its proper home some other time.
The next time you pass a surface thinking, "I'll just set this down here NOW and come back for it LATER ...."
Please think again.
You just created a two-part task where one would have been sufficient.
And you created the possibility of misplacing something since it won't be in its home when you go looking for it next.
The situation is further compounded IF there are other things also on that surface that might obscure your view when you get around to searching for the first object.
Pay now or pay later ... it's always more on the way out.
Remember that the primary goal is always to uncover and recapture every minute that can be rescued from disorganization and to then spend it on something more important than a misplaced document or cell phone.
More love, less stuff! means just that.
Let's spend the maximum amount of time doing the things we love with the people we love and the minimum amount of time fretting over lost or misplaced items, missed deadlines and other consequences of disorganization.
One of the biggest creators of disorganization and clutter that will keep you chasing your tail is just setting something down on any open (or not so open) surface, thinking you'll put that item in its proper home some other time.
Clutter = decisions deferred.
The next time you pass a surface thinking, "I'll just set this down here NOW and come back for it LATER ...."
Please think again.
You just created a two-part task where one would have been sufficient.
And you created the possibility of misplacing something since it won't be in its home when you go looking for it next.
The situation is further compounded IF there are other things also on that surface that might obscure your view when you get around to searching for the first object.
Pay now or pay later ... it's always more on the way out.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Scary Mail
It may be hard to believe that people could be so overwhelmed by snail mail that they hide it in boxes or bags under their bed ... but they do.
For those of us not caught in that particular cycle, it's easy to see that the mail doesn't go away, nor does the information that the mail carries disappear.
If you owe someone some money, the debt isn't satisfied by ignoring the bill.
If someone's invited you somewhere, the event doesn't NOT happen because you didn't rsvp.
So a couple of things to think about:
1) If hiding mail isn't your thing, what do YOU hide either literally or figuratively under your bed?
2) What can you do to drag "the mail" out from its hiding place and begin to address it?
There's no need to tackle your hidden procrastination accumulation all at once but pulling out that first envelope and opening it up is key to changing your behavior.
Willingness is the foundation of all the change that you have and will make in your life.
Beyond force, discipline and willpower.
It is the soft opening to a possibility beyond what is present that allows you to move towards your goals.
Here's to the possibility that one day NOTHING will be stored under your bed, literally AND figuratively.
To eliminate junk mail specifically ... which often gets shoved under the bed along with collection notices:
Save the paper, the planet and a bit of your sanity all at the same time.
For those of us not caught in that particular cycle, it's easy to see that the mail doesn't go away, nor does the information that the mail carries disappear.
If you owe someone some money, the debt isn't satisfied by ignoring the bill.
If someone's invited you somewhere, the event doesn't NOT happen because you didn't rsvp.
So a couple of things to think about:
1) If hiding mail isn't your thing, what do YOU hide either literally or figuratively under your bed?
2) What can you do to drag "the mail" out from its hiding place and begin to address it?
There's no need to tackle your hidden procrastination accumulation all at once but pulling out that first envelope and opening it up is key to changing your behavior.
Willingness is the foundation of all the change that you have and will make in your life.
Beyond force, discipline and willpower.
It is the soft opening to a possibility beyond what is present that allows you to move towards your goals.
Here's to the possibility that one day NOTHING will be stored under your bed, literally AND figuratively.
To eliminate junk mail specifically ... which often gets shoved under the bed along with collection notices:
Save the paper, the planet and a bit of your sanity all at the same time.
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