Daily I hear from people who say they can’t seem to catch up to all they need to do. They want to move forward on various projects, but feel completely bogged down by what’s in front of them and those things that seem to take up a lot of space in their mind.
I know the feeling. I’ve been there, done that.
There are subtle little things we do that can do more to zap our energy than just about anything. They are the things we look at on a daily basis where we mumble, “One of these days I am going to get around to fixing that, cleaning that, throwing that out.”
The reality is, unless you put time aside to clear out these “energy zappers” they will keep you in a space of overwhelm and those feelings of not be able to catch up.
As you prepare to do this, get a stack of garbage bags in order to throw out those things you know you will never use again. Get some boxes to box up those things you can give to others such books you have read that others will now enjoy. A vacuum cleaner to vacuum in those hidden areas that are not readily visible, but when you start moving things around you actually go into a state of mini shock at how much dust may have collected over a period of time.
Plan to spend a few hours at a time committed to organizing your work space. You will be amazed at how freeing this can be and how much more productive you will be.
Here are a few simple (not necessarily easy) steps you can take.
Periodically go through your hardcopy files and get rid of those things you no longer need. Let go of paperwork that is outdated, you don’t need for tax reasons and simply no longer serve a purpose. In some cases you can simply recycle the papers. In other cases, you absolutely must shred the documents.
A real time saver on shredding is to bag and box up the papers and take them to a location that can shred more in a few minutes than you could do in hours with your own shredding machine. Before taking your papers to the shredder, make sure you take as much as possible in order to not waste time going to and from the location.
Organize your work space
If it has been some time since you have cleaned and organized your workspace (more than your daily straightening up), it’s time to do so. Most people will be amazed at how much “stuff” you have collected that doesn’t serve any purpose other than collecting dust.
As you determine what you need and don’t need, box up those things that others will gain benefit from. Check with people you know who may be able to use the items. For example, I am an avid reader. On average I read 10 – 15 books a month. After a few months I have quite a collection that others may find great value from. I can’t tell you how many times someone else found great pleasure in receiving my collection of books.
Of course, there are some books I hold on to for sentimental purposes such as an autographed copy or one that is more of a reference book than one I will never refer to again.
Clear out files on your computer
If you’re like most people you have gotten in the habit of collecting file after file of information that resides on your hard drive never to be read. Take time to go through the information on your computer and delete (or backup) those files that you don’t use on a regular basis.
You will be amazed at how much your energy will increase when you clean your hard drive. Seeing file after file that you don’t use at all is a major energy zapper.
I am actually doing these very things this weekend. The reason being is I am preparing for taking my business to the next level. In order to do that it is essential I create the space that allows for clear thinking, high energy and room to grow.
In success,
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
Wow! This is a great post, Kathleen and one I could certainly benefit from. If you could see my working environment, you’d be shocked! My problem is that I always feel there’s something more important to do, even though intellectually, I know you are totally, totally right about needing to clear the physical and psychic space in order to take one’s business to the next level.
Thanks for this push.
Blog on!
Just want you to know I Dugg and Stumbled your post!
How timely – I’m doing these very things and now a few more that I didn’t think of before I read this great post! Thank you.
Hello Kathleen,
What a great idea to organize a “Zap the Tolerations” weekend for yourself!
If fact, the benefits of a toleration-free life are simply phenomenal:
– We stop trying to manage situations that drain our energy and really do not need to be in our way;
– We have more energy to devote to our quality of life;
– We grow more quickly because we are not distracted or weighted down with tolerations;
– We are a model for our community as to what is possible for them in this area.
For more information regarding how to create a toleration-free life, I strongly recommend the following books:
– The Portable Coach, by Thomas J. Leonard;
– Take Time For Your Life, by Cheryl Richardson.
Kathleen – once again, you just inspired me to follow your wisdom: I just planned a “Zap the Tolerations” weekend for myself (October 19-20)!
Warmly,
Chantal Beaupre
LifeSuccess Consultant & Professional Coach
Great article!
Nothing can shut you down, or throw you into avoidance, faster than the feeling of overwhelm.
I find the three biggest culprits creating overwhelm are clutter, unfinished business, and a “to do” list that goes on and on and on and on.
Mind map software makes great “to do” lists. You can organize by category and project, move things around easily, put as many details in as you want, and then “hide” the branches you’re not currently working on so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.
When I coach writers who are overwhelmed by their writing project, I ask them to make a very short “to do” list of easily finishable pieces from their larger project. Depending on someone’s mood, energy, and courage level, these pieces can be what’s easiest, scariest, or most important.
Yes, I said what’s scariest. Often, when we face and complete the part of a task we like the least, or are most scared of, it completely opens our energy up. Feeling overwhelmed is sometimes simply a mask covering up a piece of the project that we don’t like, don’t want to face, or don’t want to do.
Thanks for the ideas and the inspiration.
Julie Isaac
http//www.WritingSpirit.com
Weekly Creativity Tips for Writers ezine
Thanks for all the great comments. I know what you mean Denise about so much that seems important. And yet, what I find is that things quickly lose importance when it impacts my energy, health or emotional well being.
It’s ironic Denise. It is from what you taught me about the importance of blogging on top issues that sparked an idea of blogging on the topic as I was in the middle of my office literally being upside down. As things got organized little by little and the feeling of a powerful accomplishment came over me, I realized lots of people do go through the same feeling of overwhelm.
I wrote the post in a matter of minutes, writing it as if I was talking with someone about the issue at hand. And presto! It practically wrote itself.
Chantal. Thanks for your input. I felt so accomplished last evening that I treated myself to an evening out to a play at a local theater company. I was so relaxed it was a delightful evening void of any thoughts of “gotta get this done.”
Mind mapping is a great recommendation. It does open up the thought process, freeing up our energy.
I looked at your site Julie. Very, very nice and lots of useful tools.
Have a splendid, relaxed and organized day.
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for your kind words about WritingSpirit.com.
And thank you for the reminder to go out and play! When there’s so much to do, we oten feel we can’t afford “play” time or time for ourselves, when it’s absolutely essential for our emotional well-being.
It’s amazing to see how when you take a break from dealing with something that feels overwhelming, have some fun, and then come back to work, what you were doing seems less overwhelming and more doable.
Julie
What a great post Kathleen … it’s so right on the money! I started reading David Allen’s Getting Things Done a while back – I still haven’t finished it yet, but it made me so much more aware of the “stuff” cluttering up my office. I had a major clean-out weekend which prompted me to clean out all of my files (I must have thrown out 4 or 5 of those huge trash bags full of paper), clean out all of the drawers and bookshelves in my office, rearrange my desk, clean out my hard drive and even all of the folders in Outlook. I’ve managed to keep up with everything by keeping my in-basket cleaned out on a regular basis, tossing things that I don’t need, and actually keeping my filing up-to-date. It’s amazing how much easier it is to work when you know where everything is and you no longer have to wonder whether or not there is something really important lurking in one of the stacks of paper piled in various places throughout the office.
I love it!
Terry Green
Virtual Assistant to Professional Speakers and Coaches
You make a great point Terry. Once you get organized do something every day that helps you to stay organized.
In some ways, it’s about changing habits.
Kathleen Gage
Hi Kathleen,
What a great reminder that physical (and electronic) clutter can hold us back. If our hands are full of ‘stuff’ then how can we take hold of new opportunities. I decluttered my office and computer a couple of weeks ago and new things are showing up. I think I need to declutter even more.
I loved the idea Zap the Tolerations. I’m going to suggest it to some of my clients as well.
It’s amazing how quickly things can actually zap our energy Aprille. Thanks for your excellent post.
Kathleen Gage