Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of “stuff”? Maybe it’s your garage, your email inbox, your text messages, or your calendar (the worst of all). Of course you do. We all do at one time or another.
This email is for you and I promise it’s worth reading.
My grandmother’s name was Ethel. She was VERY tidy…in every imaginable way and as a result she had a tidy mind. She was calm.
Our family, especially my Mom, has since coined the phrase “Clean it up, Ethel!” whenever one of us needs to flat out, clean it up. A space, a day, the car, the house, you name it.
Whether it’s physical clutter in your home or mental clutter in your mind, it can seriously impact your productivity and overall well-being. That’s why this week, we’re diving into the art of decluttering…aka cleaning it up!
Why Clean It Up? More Than Just a Tidy Space
It’s tempting to think of decluttering as just a chore, but it’s a powerful tool for improving your life. Beyond just having a tidy space, decluttering creates real benefits and quickly:
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- Increased Productivity: A clear space leads to a clear mind, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
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- Reduced Stress: Eliminating clutter creates a sense of calm and reduces overwhelm.
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- Improved Focus: Less distractions mean greater concentration and better decision-making.
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- More Time: You’ll spend less time searching for misplaced items, emails, important texts and have more time doing what you love.
“Clean It Up” Strategies That Actually Work:
Ready to ditch the chaos and embrace some organization? Try these:
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- Start Small: Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Begin with a single drawer, shelf, or room. Maybe you delete 100 emails (or ALL of them 🙂
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- The “One In, One Out” Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of something old. Not easy, though amazing.
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- The KonMari Method: Ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” If not, let it go.
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- Digital: Unsubscribe from stale emails and delete unused apps.
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- Mental: Write out all of the things running around in your head. Circle the two that matter most and do something about it.
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- Schedule Clean It Up Time: 15 mins every monday morning and two hours once a month. Game changer.
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- Donate or Sell: Sell or donate what you don’t use anymore. Ask a friend to help.
This Week’s Clean It Up Challenge:
Choose one small thing / area in your life to clean up. It could be your desk, your inbox, or your closet. Whatever bothers you the most. Email what you chose to: jeromy@runningwatercoaching.com for a complimentary 30 minute coaching session on productivity.
Make it happen and good luck. It’s worth it.
P.S. Special thanks to my Grandma Ethel for the inspiration!