Is It Time For A 'Summer' Cleaning ...

Why do we have an annual cleaning ritual (commonly referred to as ‘spring cleaning’)? This time between two seasons is prefaced with almost an innate desire to remove the clutter in our life before we create something new. Regardless of whether we are considering changes in our business, personal life, or in relationships we typically start with taking an assessment of what we have and what we are trying to achieve; and then we attempt to create space within our lives for this pending change by getting rid of the old, coming to closure, or completing a lingering task, etc.

All of us have a finite number of “attention units” and over time our life and our surroundings become cluttered with “stuff” that doesn’t necessary support who we are at our core or what it is that we are creating in our life. Once you reach what you perceive is your comfort capacity it becomes difficult adding something new or change, unless you remove the existing clutter or come to closure on items or relationships that consume your time, talent and energy (or take up some of your “attention units”). That ‘letting go’ process is similar to the annual ritual of cleaning house every spring (but in our business and personal lives we can’t afford to make this an annual ritual, but instead it requires regular ongoing effort – some suggest every three months or more).

If you are a sports fan, especially basketball, then you know at some level that all games are won and lost on how effective each team consistently manages space to their collective benefit. What I mean is the winning team will be the one who more consistently uses spacing to their advantage. On defense they closed the space or through team defense cause congestion so that the other team has fewer open looks at the basket. They prevail defensively because they close out effectively on shooters, they box out and get key rebounds, and they rotate quicker limiting easy baskets. On offense they ‘spread the court’ allowing for the right players to drive and dish to open shooters who have open looks at the basket. The team that does these small, but critical, details more often wins the game. That is no different when we consider our business or personal life. How we create space and take advantage of this space will allow for more of what we want to come into our life.

What do you need to complete, resolve, dump, delegate, forgive, or let go before you can move on and bring new activity, abundance, relationships and excitement into your life? Personally several years ago I began an exercise that consisted of thinking about the significant people in my life and the pain I may have caused them. After identifying that I made a point to ask for forgiveness for causing this pain or hurt either in person, in writing or within myself. This healing was in a small way clearing the clutter within myself – my own personal “spring cleaning.” For you it may mean cleaning your desk, a file cabinet, or a room in your house; completing a task or project that has lingered to long; confronting an issue or problem that you have been avoiding; making the call you have put off; forgiving yourself for actions taken or not; or any number of other tasks you have left for another time, thus using up your “attention units” and creating personal clutter. So take a moment as you start your week to identify your clutter and what you need to do to create the space within to grow, attractive new relationships, create a new energy around you or just become more effective.

As always, I hope this reflection finds you and your loved ones well. I hope you enjoy the read, and please feel free to share your thoughts or comments with me. Thank you and have a GREAT week!!! Also, if I can be of service to you or a friend please let me know. Again thank you for sharing this time with me! Jim Peys