Last week in Part 1 of this 3-parter we looked at: Clear Your Mind, Indulge Your Vision and Freshen up Your Diet. (If you missed part 1 and would like to read it, you can find it on my blog here). This week steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 of our magical 10 - any or all of which are going to help you break through some environmental "stuff" that will make room for much bigger and brighter things to come into your life. And yes, that might mean that your diet cleans up alongside the changes too! Just watch how closely connected all of this stuff is when you put it into practise in your own life... It never fails to amaze me!
Whether or not you work from home, chances are you have a home office of some kind and chances are also that the desk you use is more than a little, um, "busy"? What we keep on and around our desks says more about where we're at than we may realise. "Tidy desk, tidy mind" - for one. But also seeing as your home office is likely to be the area where you take care of bills and all things financial as well as organisational (we could look on it as the centre of operations really!), how conducive is it at the moment to getting things booked, done or paid on time? Is it perhaps time you made more space on your desk to handle one thing at a time? Does the sight of papers everywhere make you avoid the task in hand rather than face it?
The number one issue with people and getting things done is FOCUS. If you can clear your desk of everything that's not absolutely essential you'll have no choice but to focus as you'll only be allowing one job or project on your desk at a time! So your desk-related assignment is: Clear everything off that's not vital (and find another home for it) and the next one is optional (but highly recommended), spend half a day creating a pinboard or area above your desk - or near it - where you can stick or pin up things that inspire, remind, inform or simply that you love so that your desk space is a space you come to love.
5) Streamline Your Diary
This has been a big one for me this year and I highly recommend it! Way back I decided to plan my yearly programme of events out in advance. This was for two reasons 1) People would know what was going on when, well in advance so they could pencil things in and 2) I could take all the different factors of my life into account, plan around other events AND create more space for me and my family - consciously. So often do we get busy, busy, busy. And many of us have come to think that the busier we are the more X, Y or Z we are. Well, it's taken me almost a decade to realise that less is definitely more, which is why I'm highly recommending that you start this year putting your most important and VALUED needs first and not cramming it full of "lots of stuff" - unless you really thrive on that. But either way, think ahead to the kind of year you want (inspiring, progressive, relaxing, spacious etc.) and then when you go to write things in your diary ask yourself if they are in alignment with the type of year you're trying to create. This is actually really powerful stuff. A little thought now can save A LOT of stress later!
6) Re-Organise Your Office
Now your desk and diary are looking nice and spacious, it's time to extend it out to your office as a whole. Just as your diary ideally should reflect the "theme" you have chosen for your year, your office ideally should reflect you priorities for the year, which may or may not be the same thing. For instance, if 2012 is the year you have decided to finally get a grip on your finances, then it makes sense to create a special place in your office - or a bigger one - where you can keep all your financial-orientated paperwork and files all in one easy-to-get-to place. As always, set yourself up for success. So know what your priorities are first and then tidy, re-organise, recycle or toss accordingly. You'll feel amazing about yourself and life if you really go for it with this one. There's nothing like a sorted mind and working environment for really making things happen.
7) Empty Your Car
Now this one may or may not be relevant to you, but chances are that your car may well have a few surplus things in it, be it CDs, car gear or kids toys. The best possible lift you can give yourself in the car department is to empty it of absolutely everything inside, take it for a proper hand wash and a decent inside hoover and valet! Top Tip: If you want to go one step further, why not turn your car into a "mobile university"? This is a term that's been used by many top personal development experts for years now, and it's brilliant! Basically you decide what you most want to learn about right now, whether that be raw foods, personal or professional growth etc., and then ensure that your car has a good stash of learning materials of your choice, all on audio to hand. You then commit to keeping a CD/MP3 in your player continuously and play it wherever you go so that you are always learning and getting the most out of your drive! This is a tip I have taken on board and as a result I've learned SO much more over the past few years than I ever would have any other way. It's truly a brilliant tip!
Next issue we'll be expanding further still, so if you're keen to freshen up, best get busy with the assignments above - all of which are perfectly doable if you give yourself the weekend or one good day and one long night - AND you'll have the rest of the year to benefit from them.
© 2012 Karen Knowler WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach publishes "Successfully Raw" - a free weekly eZine for raw food lovers everywhere. If you're ready to look good, feel great and create a raw life you love get your FREE tips, tools and recipes now at www.TheRawFoodCoach.com.
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