I am cleaning out my closets this week and doing my seasonal clothing change-over.  It reminds me of many of my de-cluttering rules so today I’d like to share my favorite clothing decision tip:  If you don’t love the way you feel when you wear it, toss it.  (Of course, “toss it,” can mean throw it away, donate it, or sell it.)

We all get into the habit of keeping items “just in case.”  My #1 excuse is, “Well, I could wear it while gardening,” but then I never do.  I like to look good when I’m pulling weeds and, after all, the neighbors are watching!

If you have items in your closet that you’re keeping out of guilt, whether someone gave it to you or you wish you could fit into it, or you’re afraid you’ll gain the weight back – whatever – get over it!

And before you buy anything else, consider the cost of acquisition.  Not only does having a lot of clothing require storage space, there’s also the factor of shopping and caring for needless items, and always having to decide what to do with them.

I use a similar rule when I shop – if I don’t love it, I don’t buy it.  A piece of clothing should make me feel good, not just look good on me.

The bottom line is that it is better to have a few items/outfits that you love and feel great when you wear them, than to have hundreds that weigh you down.

If you’re wondering if this method would work for you, just get rid of half the stuff you don’t like anymore and see if you don’t feel better.  I know you’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be inspired to get rid of the rest!

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

I’ve added a special value to one of my upcoming presentations: everyone who signs up for my “Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life” webinar through TheSelfHelpSchool.com will receive a free copy of the e-book. Use the ad below and register today!

Posted under Motivation

I find that there are three types of worriers in life:

1.    Those who worry about everything and love it.
2.    Those who worry about nothing and love it.
3.    Those who worry sometimes, feel guilty when they do, try to worry less, but need help in getting their mind off of their worries and onto more productive pursuits.

This article is for the last group.

Worry is a wasted emotion that robs your spirit from enjoying the greatness of life.  I’ve noticed that people who fall into this third group bounce back and forth from wellness to illness very quickly:  a cold coming on one day, perfectly fine the next; “I had strep throat over the weekend, but it mysteriously cleared up on it’s own,” etc.  I have no doubt that you’ve noticed these types of patterns in others, or even perhaps yourself from time to time.

It’s important to understand the effect of worry on your body and your psyche.  To put it simply, the effect is negative.  Chronic worriers tend to be chronic sufferers with debilitating physical, emotional, or psychological illnesses, all of which can be avoided by simply letting go of worry.  Today, I want to talk about how to do just that – let go of worry.

First I want you to recognize that while small annoyances and petty complaints might seem minor on the surface, worrying about small things establishes a pattern of needless worry.  This is often how bad habits start, is it not?

Napoleon Hill said,

“Feed your mind on little worries and it will develop quite an appetite for big worries.”

He was right.

So how does one overcome and conquer, once and for all, the problem of worry?

The best method of eliminating worry is to transform that energy into some sort of constructive activity.  By taking action, any action at all – it does not have to be related to the problem - you take control of your mind by making it focus on something constructive.  My top three choices are:

1.    Gardening
2.    Cooking
3.    De-cluttering

But here are some additional suggestions that have worked for me:

1.    Taking a long drive
2.    Going for a long walk
3.    Cleaning the house
4.    Cleaning the car
5.    Filing

There’s something about physical activity that gives the mind a rest – and that’s a very good thing.  Some of my male friends will engage in a “pick-up” basketball game, work on a hobby carpentry project, or do some woodworking.  You know what works for you.

One of the biggest ways to get your mind off of your problems is to help others.  Serving your fellow man in some way often helps put perspective on your troubles, and gives your ego a positive boost in the process.

Whatever you do, keep it simple so that you develop the habit of transforming worry into success.

You’re in good company if you’re in the third group as I’ve outlined above.  People who worry incessantly don’t accomplish much; people who worry about nothing don’t seem to be very successful either.  It is those of us in that third group who turns our adversities into opportunities and is changing the world.  So don’t feel guilty about your worry, transform it into something great – you can do it!

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

Posted under Motivation

I spend a lot of time on this site talking about cleaning and de-cluttering; two things I firmly believe in.  But a couple of things happened this week that brought to light an important life lesson and that’s what I want to share with you today.

Earlier this week I drove to a local farmer’s produce stand.  This family has a beautiful garden with fresh corn, tomatoes, carrots, onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.  I was actually able to give up my vegetable garden this year because their produce is so wonderful and very dependable.

Not wanting to use their plastic bags, I took my own regular shopping bags that I’ve been using since going paperless.  (I’m also trying to reduce my use of plastic, as well as just overall what I put into landfills – but that’s another post.)

When I told the woman to just start putting what I was picking out into my bag, she exclaimed, “Oh, don’t get that bag dirty – it’s so pretty and clean!”

I tried to explain that I bought it to be used, that I always take it to the grocery store, and that it can be washed if necessary, but nothing was going to stop her – I came home with 5 plastic bags!  She just could not stand the thought of getting that beautiful bag dirty.

Earlier today, I had to fire someone.  He just wasn’t working out and in the exit interview we discussed how we both went into this knowing it might not work out, but we wanted to give it a try.  We tried.  Things didn’t click.  We bailed.  The employee was really good about it.  It’s the only time I’ve ever gotten to the end of a termination and received a hug!  (Yeah – he was that glad to be let go!)

Both of these experiences have reminded me of a paradigm I’ve held for a long time:  You learn by doing.  You live by getting the bag dirty and enjoying every minute of it.  Children get it – they have the most fun when they’re getting really good and dirty!   We adults need to re-learn that lesson.  Don’t buy something new just to save it for special occasions.  The dust mites don’t deserve it – you do!  Don’t be afraid to try a job you’d like to go after for whatever reason.  Even if things don’t work out you’ll learn some valuable lessons that will propel your life forward.

Sure, you might have some cleaning up to do, in fact, you probably will have a lot of cleaning up to do, but isn’t that what this journey is all about?

So, go ahead – get that bag dirty!

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

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Posted under Dental Practice Management, Education, Motivation, Success

No, that title is not a misprint.  Although, it could be the daily grind that causes the need for the daily ground!  What I’m talking about today is spiritual grounding.  Everyone has bad days sometimes, and we all get burnt out.  When you find yourself irritable, hostile, nervous, short-tempered, or just in a bad mood, it’s a sign that you need to get grounded.

Paying attention to and protecting your psychic and spiritual energy is a valuable part of leading a more peaceful and fulfilling life.  Here are my seven favorite ways to get grounded.  Try these methods whenever you feel your energy or vibration is over stimulated or out of balance, or when you feel you are being negatively influenced by energy- whether someone else’s — or your own.

1. Getting outside – literally.  Just the very act of standing on the ground will help neutralize your negativity.  Visualize all of your problems flowing from your brain, down through your body, out your feet, and into the ground.  If possible, sit on the ground and relax for a few minutes.
2. Deep Breathing.  Okay, just don’t do this one as you start a phone call!  I do this one when I’m in the car or can’t step away from a project.  If my husband catches me doing this, he’ll say, “Well, that was a heap big sigh!”  “Just getting some air,” I’ll reply.  Since I occasionally have trouble with asthma, I know that my response is probably almost as physical as it is spiritual, but I figure either way, it feels great!
3. Exercising.  This method naturally follows next since you breathe more deeply when you exercise, but there is something about getting physical that adds to the clearing of the mind.  Whether it’s a 5-minute walk or anything more vigorous, (whatever you like to do), exercise is good for the mind, body, and spirit.
4. Cooking.  Sometimes the way I cook is like exercise!  But there’s also the creativity component, getting something accomplished, and getting my mind off my problems that helps me get grounded.  And my husband gets to enjoy the results of this one as well!
5. Gardening.  I can remember that as a child, my mother would always know when something was bothering me because I would “play in the dirt.”  What can I say, old habits die hard!  I love gardening just for the purpose of it, but just like cooking, gardening gets my mind off things.  Cooking can sometimes be too complicated for true grounding, and pulling weeds is sometimes just what I need.
6. De-cluttering.  My regular readers already know how I feel about clutter.  If my bad mood stems from a sense of “overwhelm-ment,” I know it’s time to de-clutter.  I told my time management class just yesterday that it seems counter-intuitive; you think you should be getting stuff done instead of de-cluttering, but trust me, you really will think more clearly with everything in its place.  Which brings me to my final favorite grounding method -
7. Organizing.  I’m not speaking here of organizing your desk; that’s de-cluttering (more than likely.)  What I’m talking about here is creating a Work Breakdown Structure for a project, or organizing your day or week, or whatever it’s going to take to make you feel better.  Instead of plowing in on a project, if you’ll take the time to get organized first, your mood will lift and you’ll accomplish more in the end.  You might even think of ways to avoid unnecessary work and find people to delegate parts of the project to.

Any one of the exercises will help, but when necessary, I’ve been known to do them all before proceeding into my day!  Getting into alignment with your higher self in whatever you have to do is way more important than the action itself.  Try it; you’ll be glad you did!

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, you’ll want to purchase my latest e-book to help you get started and on the right path.  I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams.  Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same.  It comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”  Both are downloadable, so you get them immediately, pay no shipping, and the cost is only $27.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Motivation, Success

Has this ever happened to you?

You wake up after a good night’s rest feeling rejuvenated and happy to be alive.  On your way to work you take note of your energy level and think about all the things you’ll do when you get home.

When you arrive home, however, that energy you had at 8 o’clock has been completely drained by your work day.  You start to resent your employer, your supervisor and possibly even your co-workers for taking so much out of you that you have nothing left to give your family, or yourself.

Yeah, I know.  We’ve all been there.

Why is it that some people can have a hard day at work and still come home and mow the lawn, while others barely have the strength to dial the phone and order in dinner?

Well, it’s a matter of attitude.  You have to safeguard your energy and make sure it’s being spent in the most effective way possible, the way you want it to be spent, and the way to control that, is with your attitude.  In the following list I’ll give you several examples of what I mean.

1. Refuse to participate in the drama of it.  If you have one of those workplaces where the crew isn’t happy unless there is something to gossip about, find other places to be when the squabbles are going on.  Seminar participants always challenge me about this, saying, “Debra, are you saying we should put our heads in the sand?”  Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.  Think about it.  Wouldn’t you rather have your head in the sand than in someone’s crap?  I would!  And remember that what you think about you bring about.  So if your head is in the sand, you’ll create more sand.  I’d rather have more sand than more crap.  Even better, if you go off by yourself during lunch instead of participating in the who-did-what-to/with-whom ritual, find a nice magazine and just look at the photos.  (That’s pretty much putting your head in the sand, right?)  Use your imagination to think about what your house would like if it were decorated in that style – or whatever.  The creative power of putting your head in the sand will yield you much more favorable results than participating in the drama going on in others’ lives.  Now, I’m not saying to refuse support to your co-workers.  Just make sure it is support with the intent to improve their situation, not help them wallow in it.  I’ve had to learn that some people just like drama and the best thing to do is just let them have it.  It doesn’t mean I have to participate in it.  In my experience, this one technique alone could save 50% of your energy level for when you get home.  But keep reading . . .

2. Take regular breaks.  Depending on your job, ergonomic specialists have come up with specific guidelines as to how often you need to rest from repetitive tasks.  I’ve seen recommendations from 30 seconds every 10 minutes to 1 minute for every 30.  Most businesses are required to allow a 10-minute break for every 5 hours of work performed.  If your employer has certain guidelines for your particular job, make sure you follow them.  I have had employees who refuse to take breaks because they’re trying to make a good impression.  Don’t do that to yourself.  Performing well at your job will make a better impression and it’s easier to do that with the proper rest.  Most importantly, don’t refuse to take your breaks and then blame your employer for it.  If you find that you require more breaks than you’re allowed, learn how to take mental breaks.  Are there certain aspects of your job that are repetitive in nature that could almost do with your eyes closed?  Now, I’m not talking about factory work here – please!  For example, in the summer I can meditate and pull weeds in my garden at the same time.  It’s simple, requires very little brain power, which gives my mind a break.  I love pulling weeds this way and it’s much better for the garden to pull them every day mindlessly than to wait until they’re a problem and become a chore.  Find something like that in your job and utilize it when you can.  Perhaps straightening your desk and getting organized - but more on that in just a moment . . .

3. Learn to relax while you work.  Try this mantra:  “In an easy and relaxed manner, I complete my tasks on time.”  Say it over and over until it becomes ingrained in you.  Do the same thing at home, except you might want to change the mantra to, “In an easy and relaxed manner, I joyfully create whatever I want.”  Going about all of your work in an easy and relaxed manner will reserve vast amounts of energy to use whenever you want. 

4. De-clutter.  Clutter around you creates clutter in your brain and drains your energy before you perform your first task.  Get rid of everything on your desk except for (maybe) three personal items, and the project you’re working on.  Keep all necessary items straight, clean, and . . .

5. Organize.  The time it takes you to get organized will come back to you 10-fold.  Just thinking about the possibilities of what you could do with all of that time can be very energizing.  Take a moment to just think about how you would feel if you were 100% organized.  Isn’t that energizing?  So, what’s stopping you? 

6. Prioritize.  Almost everyone I know has a hundred items or more on their task lists.  Isn’t that wonderful?  We are all so intelligent and capable of doing so much – we are truly blessed.  But take a few moments to consider what’s really important.  There are many factors to consider here and I know you have many people you need to please.  Taking a few minutes to think it through, pray about it, and get perspective will generate a feeling of control, which is always energizing.

7. Strategically plan your days, and your week.  Ideally, I’d also say your months and year, but I’ve learned that if you take care of the week and each workday, you’ll be way ahead of others and probably from where you are right now.  Most of the time, we expect too much out of ourselves in the way of time.  The result is that we become depressed and think it’s useless to organize and prioritize.  Not true.  However, it is useless to organize and prioritize if you’re not going to put those decisions into a strategic plan.  Again, it goes back to that feeling of control of knowing that you accomplished everything you could for today, and there is a plan for getting everything else done, in its proper timing.  Planning is a huge boon to your energy level. 

8. Focus.   If you want to become more energetic, make doing so the focal point of your thoughts.  Take note of what makes you feel energetic.  What really “floats your boat?”  What is the best way to go through your day?  Do you like to tackle things one right after the other so that time seems like it’s standing still?  Or do you require long segments of time to think and ponder things?  We are each unique and have our own way of making the world go ‘round.  It’s important to find yours and focus on it.  Give yourself the attention you deserve, and make your energy level the center of your attention for a while.  Eventually, you’ll develop the habits you need to become that way all of the time.

9. Become enthusiastic.  People who are enthusiastic about their work, both on the job and at home, are rarely tired for no reason.  (If you are genuinely enthusiastic about your work and tired for no reason, you should seek medical advice.)  Don’t get me wrong; of course you’re going to get physically tired at the end of the day.  But we want as many of those “good tired” days as we can get.  That’s how we know we’ve found our path and are connected to our higher self.  You know when you’re supposed to be tired.  And you also know when you’re just “down.”  Find ways to become enthusiastic about your work.  What do you appreciate about your job? 

10. Develop a persona.  Fake it until you make it.  Sometimes, the best way to turn your energy level around is to pretend you’re someone else.  Using your imagination is very energizing.  I’ve written before about how I used to hate grocery shopping until I started pretending to be Giada De Laurentiis while shopping.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t tell people I’m Giada—I just use my imagination to conjure up her energy level for shopping for the “perfect ingredients” for this recipe or that.  Since I often stop for groceries at the end of a work-day, this is especially helpful.  It’s like a mental break, fun exercise, and practicing the art of visualization all rolled into one. 

So, lots of great ideas here, but where does one start?  Well, you start with whichever idea popped out at you.  Which one really excited you?  Don’t start with what you think you should do.  Start with the one that made your eyes light up.  That’s your Spirit talking to you.  That’s what your Spirit needs.  And following your Spirit and the guidance it gives is one of the best ways I’ve found to increase energy.

I’ll be teaching more on all of these subjects and much more at the Conscious Creation Retreat; I hope to see you there!

In the meantime, here are a couple of tools to help you get on the path to greater energy and reduced fatigue:

Wake Up and Create the Life You Want:  A Guide to Self-Empowerment

Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book

Until next time,

Live joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Technorati Tags: Energy, Fatigue, Attitude, Conscious Creation, Retreat, Coach, Success, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Leader, Motivation, Law of Attraction

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success

Today I want to share with you some wardrobe-building concepts that have served me well for many years:  I don’t ever recall saying, “I have nothing to wear.”  I’m often told, “You look like you just stepped out of a magazine.”  I was voted “Best Dressed” in high school and college, and I’m frequently sought out for wardrobe advice.

I am not a fashion diva; I do not wear designer couture.  I am a business woman and would describe my everyday style as mostly business-casual, although I do have a sufficient number of outfits to go up and down the scale, from a formal evening to gardening.  I mostly wear pantsuits when I’m out, and slacks and sweaters when I’m at home.  For the most part, I think I’m just like everyone else – all of you – but with a little twist that makes me unique.  (You have it, too, you might just need to call it out.)

My overall philosophy is, Look Your Best Every Day, so even if I’m only going to be at home, by myself, writing all day, I don’t stay in my pajamas.  I’ve tried it, since so many people tout that it’s the grandest feeling the world, but I disagreed.  I just couldn’t get my energy level high enough.  Pajamas are for sleeping and relaxing; not working.  Friends who swear by it will admit, when pressed, to feeling draggy all day when they stay in their night clothing or even sweats. 

In a nutshell, I have gardening clothes for gardening, exercise clothes for exercising, upscale suits and pantsuits for speaking and leading seminars, formal attire for the proper occasions, and comfortable, sometimes “fun” clothes for working at home – writing, cooking, and doing housework.

My accessories are simple and classic such as:  Black Mary-Jane pumps – 2 pairs of the same style to be able to alternate, a black crocodile Brahmin purse that I will carry for at least 2 years without changing, one each of silver, gold, and pearl necklaces with earrings to match.  (Okay, I have more jewelry than that, but this is what I pull from on a regular basis.)

Here are the concepts that I find myself repeating to friends and family who ask for my help, whether they need help de-cluttering their closet, or putting together the perfect wardrobe. 

1. Loosen up the purse strings.  I’ve had to work with my mother on this for several years and she has finally come around, although she does relapse every now and again.  Here’s the scoop:  She had no problem buying clothes, as long as they were at 1950s prices!  Every year the cost of quality items go up just a little and if you’re on a diet for very long where you don’t want to buy something new until you are at your ideal weight, or if you bought a new wardrobe of quality clothing that lasts for several seasons, or you have a baby, or you just don’t buy clothing very often, you might find that the next time you go shopping you end up with a lot of sticker shock.  To get over this, go to a mall and start looking at the price tags in several different upscale stores.  Just go and look for a couple of hours before you buy anything.  Doing this will help you get used to the new pricing strategies.  If you want your hometown mall prices to look really good, visit Rodeo Drive!  Cheap outfits have never looked good on me and I’ve found that those garments just don’t hold up as well either.  The better bargain is to spend a little extra for quality that will last much longer.

2. Don’t say, “I’ll never have anywhere to wear this.”  What – so you can tell the future?  Well, aren’t you special!  A true psychic would never make a prediction like that!  This is the reason that when that special event comes up, you say, “I have nothing to wear.”  How many times have you needed to find an outfit for a special occasion, went shopping, but there was nothing, and I mean nothing, in any store, in any mall within driving distance, that even fit you, let alone that you liked!  Right there is reason enough to buy it when you find it.  Listen to that still, small, voice.  If you’re being pulled to an item or outfit you just love, go for it!  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought I would never use something or couldn’t figure out how it would fit into my lifestyle when, after trusting my instinct, I immediately found a use for it.  Maybe an occasion suddenly came up or I decided to dress a little differently on vacation.  We are drawn to certain items because of the energy they have that, for whatever reason, syncs with ours.  Trust it, and go for it.  You’ll be glad you did.

3. On the flip side of that, I always say, “When in doubt, don’t.”  So I don’t buy it if I don’t love it.  There’s a difference between loving something and holding yourself back by saying, “I’ll never have anywhere to wear it,” and knowing in your gut that you’ll never wear it because you don’t really like it.  On a similar note, as I’m getting older, I’m finding that there are certain styles that, while I like them on younger women, I just wouldn’t be comfortable in them.  There are few things more hideous than a 40-year-old trying to look like she’s 20!  I’ve always thought it made the woman look even older.  Also, don’t dress like a 60-year old if you’re 40.  Being truly comfortable in your own skin means you’ll act and dress your age, and be proud of whatever that is!  You’re awesome and you know it – there’s no need to prove anything to anyone.

4. Buy the complete outfit.  Think head to toe.  Shoes, purse, accessories, jewelry, hosiery, underwear.  Since most of the items in my closet coordinate with black, if I fall in love with an outfit that will require brown accessories, I’ll have to purchase them and I’ll do that immediately if possible.  If I can’t find one particular item, say, the shoes to make the outfit, I’ll make sure it goes on my shopping list.  That way, I’m “on the lookout” everywhere I go.  I have made the mistake of forgetting something like that and ended up not being able to wear the outfit – ever – because I didn’t have the right shoes.  (Don’t worry, it only happened once!)  Also don’t make the mistake of thinking, “Well, I’ll buy the pants and the jacket, but I already have a blouse just like that at home.”  You probably don’t.  We don’t remember colors that well and if you’ve had the blouse for a while, the style probably won’t match your new outfit.  Also, if you stay within the same style of dress, you’ll need both blouses anyway because you’ll wear them both between laundry days.  Don’t be afraid to have more than one of something you love.  (Except spouses – but that’s another post!)

    

5. Wear your correct size.  You might think this goes without saying and we’ve all witnessed women in clothing too tight, and occasionally too loose, but I wanted to bring this up because it was a problem for me a little while back.  When I was in orthodontic treatment, I got down to a size 0.  It’s an extremely difficult size to find and I had a closet full of size 4’s, with a few 2’s.  Out of pure necessity, I was wearing clothing a little too loose, but I knew it was a temporary situation so I didn’t want to purchase too many items in that size because I didn’t want to stay that size.  One problem I had to overcome once I started gaining weight, was that I was so used to my outfits fitting loosely, that sometimes the item would fit, but I thought it was too tight – my reference point had changed.  As I started to move back into 4’s from 2’s, I would catch myself wearing the 2’s because I liked them, even though they were too tight.  Then, I started to wonder if I should lose weight to stay in the 2’s!  Don’t worry – I’m back in 4’s with a few 6’s, and that’s the healthy way I plan to stay.  But it took me a while and I wanted to share that to let you know it can happen to anyone – even us skinny-minnies!

6. Let go.  Let go of anything stained, whether it’s from food or armpits, anything that doesn’t fit, whether it’s too large or too small, and please, for pity’s sake, let go of anything you just don’t like, whether you hated to begin with and so have never worn it, or you’ve just grown tired of it.  Move on.  If the item is in good shape, donate it. 

When it comes to organization, I suggest going through your closet, piece by piece, and eliminate anything that doesn’t thrill you.  Please note – they should thrill you.  If you have a favorite pair of sweats that you only wear when you’re sick, but you love to wear them then and they somehow make you feel better, keep ‘em!  Don’t trade your values for mine.  My purpose for writing this is to help you identify and live closer to your values.  So when I say, “eliminate anything that doesn’t thrill you.” I mean you. 

I’m always flattered when asked for advice and love to help when I can, but you have your own style – wear it!

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

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CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT NOW When you’re ready to take control of your life, you’ll want to purchase my latest book to get started on the right path. You’ll learn my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the Law of Attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do exactly the same.  You can read their stories here.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Don’t miss out on this very special offer!

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Technorati Tags: Motivational Speaker, Motivation, Organize, Success, Law of Attraction, Dental Practice Management, Coach, Consultant, Paperless Office, Motivational Book

Posted under Law of Attraction, Motivation, Success

Today’s post will be short as I am installing new organizing systems in two closets.  I’ve been doing a lot of de-cluttering and re-organizing lately.  Between my 30-day Paperless Experiment and preparing for my husband’s dental office expansion, it seems like my entire life revolves around finding better ways to store and retrieve things - all sorts of things.

I’m amazed at how much life continues to teach us, especially when we think we understand a subject the most.  Saturday, on a drive with my husband, he asked me if I thought it would be a good idea to put the current reception area television in the new team lounge.  In going back and forth on the subject, considering all the pros and cons, the ultimate decision factor comes down to clutter.  I started thinking about all of the things that are planned for the new team lounge when it occurred to me that one more thing just might put that room over the top - from a “relaxing break from the daily grind” to “over-stimulating room that had just as well not be there.”

So I said to my husband, “I’m worried that it might just be more clutter for the team lounge.”  His response was, “But it could be mounted on the wall and not be clutter at all.” 

The conversation reminded me of another definition of clutter that I fail to mention to audiences and that is, “clutter is anything unsightly.”  When you walk into a room, it should be visually appealing.  Anything that makes the room “too busy,” makes us feel uneasy.  Whether it’s piles of needless paper, disorganized kitchen utensils, old magazines strewn about, too many floral patterns in the decorating, or just too much stuff in too little space, it’s all clutter.  Even unwanted, non-relaxing sound, like that that comes from a television, can be counted as clutter.

So as you are organizing your home, office, and life, take a good look around, listen, and then notice how you feel about what you see and hear.  Get rid of anything that displeases you in any way.  You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

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Technorati Tags: Motivational Speaker, Motivation, Organize, Success, Law of Attraction, Dental Practice Management, Coach, Consultant, Paperless Office, Motivational Book

Posted under Motivation, Success

Since starting my 30-day Going Paperless experiment, I’ve received lots of great tips and have learned several good lessons. 

Jennifer Kumar tagged me last week to write about three lessons I’ve learned from de-cluttering my life.  I find this tag serendipitous since one of the first lessons I’ve learned about going paperless is that you’ve first got to sort all of the paper you’re currently using and storing, and get rid of what no longer serves you.

I’ll provide temporary updates on my paperless meme intermittently over the next month, with one final post compiling all tips at the end, once it’s had time to circulate.  For today, I’d like to fulfill Jennifer’s request and list the three top advantages I’ve experienced in clearing my clutter.  Ready?  Here we go!

1. Increased energy level.  I can breathe easier.  Literally.  And when you’re breathing, you feel better and more energetic.  I don’t know if it’s my allergy to dust that contributes to this – getting rid of piles = getting rid of dust bunnies = breathing easier – and I don’t really care.  I just know that I can take a deep breath, feel good, and hit the ground running.  There’s also something mentally energizing about clean, clutter-free surfaces.

2. Clearer thinking.  Clutter around you creates clutter in your brain.  Again, mental energy seems to stagnate around clutter.  You see that pile, you can’t remember what’s in there, “Are there things I need to do?  Have I forgotten to pay a bill?”  Whatever you piles represent, it’s probably something negative and you need to get rid of all negative energy in order to live the positive, productive life you came here and are intended to live.

3. Quicker, easier decision making.  This is my favorite, and I have a story about this one.  When I was in college I had this roommate named Monica.  She was a very happy and energetic soul.  I never made this connection back then, but one of the things that used to tickle me and my other roommates about her was the fact that she would always return on Sunday night with her week’s wardrobe planned out – and she brought only those clothes, shoes, accessories, etc.  She didn’t go home every weekend, so she would sometimes have to plan her outfits 2-3 weeks in advance!  She always stuck to her schedule, and she never wore jeans unless they were a planned part of the outfit – no jeans and sweatshirts on Monica – she was a Fashion Merchandising major!  We would often laugh at her and then talk behind her back about how much we envied her ability to get dressed so quickly in the morning.  Now I understand.  Can you make the connection?  Because she had only one outfit to choose from on that particular day, there was no decision-making to do.  “What will I wear” crossed her mind only once per week, not every day.

Continuing to reflect on Monica for a moment, I’ve already said she was happy and energetic.  She got up every morning at 5:30 AM to teach an aerobics class at the Baptist Student Union.  She came back to the room at 7:15 to shower and dress and always had her first class scheduled at 8 AM.  She was very punctual also, so washing and drying her beautiful blond bob haircut, applying makeup, and walking to class could have taken no more than 45 minutes.  She was and is still probably the most un-cluttered person I’ve ever known.  There’s a lesson in there somewhere, don’t you think?

Eliminating things you don’t want and being organized simply requires a little strategic planning.  I know for a fact, from personal experience, that the time invested in any planning activity is more than regained in time saved during execution.

Just remembering Monica and recounting her story has been enough to motivate me for today, so I’m off to clear more clutter and research more ways to become paperless. 

Until next time,

Live in Joyous Belief that All Things are Possible!

If you’d like to sign up for retreat information as it becomes available, click here.

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Technorati Tags: Paperless, Clutter Control, Motivation, Motivational Speaker, Dental Practice Management, Coach, Consultant, Inspiration, Success, Writer

Posted under Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success

How’s this for irony:  I spent yesterday afternoon assembling a new filing cabinet for my home office.  My goal for 2008:  Put nothing in it!  Well, nothing new at least.  Let me explain.

For quite some time now, the “paperless office” has been all the rage in dentistry.  As a Dental Practice Management consultant, I facilitate dental teams on taking their practice to that next level.  Paperless, up to this point, has been an elusive dream.  Until this year.  This is it.  2008 is going to be great!  I can feel it!  My goal is to become the paperless authority for the dental industry.  And when I set my mind, body, and soul on something . . .  Well, if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, have read my book, or know me at all, let’s just say I always get what I truly want.  But then, don’t we all?  (But that’s another post!)

Since I always practice what I teach, I figure the first step would be to get some first-hand experience at becoming a paperless professional.  I’ll be blogging about it often.  If you like my posts on de-cluttering, this is taking that concept to the next level.

I’ve been gearing up for this for the past several months anyway.  I’ve already signed up for e-statements on my credit cards, I use Adobe and print to file any receipts I feel I need to keep.  Basically, anytime I get ready to hit that print button I stop and ask, “Do I really want a paper copy of this, or would digital suffice?”  You see, it’s really a matter of re-training your brain and developing a new system.

Over the next 30 days, I’m going to keep track of the steps I take, the trials and pitfalls, the lessons, the good, the bad, the ugly, the unfortunate, the advantages, and of course, the success stories and record them all here.  I’ll review equipment, storage options, discuss attitude, yours’ and others’ (that’ll be a long post!), and anything else that comes up in the process.

Wish me luck and feel free to comment with any suggestions you have.

If you’d like to sign up for retreat information as it becomes available, click here.

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Technorati Tags: paperless office, Motivation, Education, Inspiration, Success, Writer, Speaker, Consultant

Posted under Dental Practice Management, Motivation, Success

Have you ever felt like something was holding you back from reaching your full potential but you didn’t know what it was – you just couldn’t “put your finger on it?” I’ll often hear someone say, “I must have an energy problem; I can feel something keeping me from my success, but I’ve made every attempt I can think of to get rid of the blockage and it’s still there.”

Most people need look no further than their own home. The biggest energy drain on the human psyche is clutter – all clutter, physical and mental.

It amazes me how so many people will hold on to things out of guilt or fear. Guilt and fear are the two most wasted human emotions and yet we hang on to them relentlessly by hanging on to Grandma’s doilies fearing that she’ll haunt us from the grave or from guilt over not spending enough time with her before she passed away. I’ve known people who hang on to things from a divorce because “it was the only thing she didn’t take – I hate the item, but it’s the principle.”

Let it go. Let it all go. The Quakers had a saying: “The beauty of an object is in its usefulness.” If you’re holding on to something that doesn’t serve your present dreams, give or throw it away. If it brings you joy to look at, put it somewhere that you will see it on a regular basis. If you’re holding on to a belief that no longer serves you, let it go. We are constantly evolving and becoming more.

I had a rather unique experience with evolving and becoming more while writing this post that I’d like to share with you. I’m sure many of you will remember taking Speech 101 in undergrad. For my demonstration requirement, I prepared a recipe. It was made of simple ingredients that we could purchase at the store on campus and was prepared in a microwave. Several of my classmates told me for a couple of years after that class that they had prepared that dish on their own, several times, and really enjoyed it.

In searching for something different today for lunch, I thought of that dish for some reason. (-had no idea I would be writing about it.) I got out the recipe, checked to see if I had all the ingredients, I did, and I prepared it. It was . . . okay, but not something I’ll ever fix again. (Trust me – I made a note on the recipe.)

My point is that I used to love that recipe. And although it tasted exactly the same, it didn’t appeal to me any longer. My taste buds have advanced, along with my cooking skills!

After writing a note on the recipe, it occurred to me that maybe I should take a second look at the other recipes I had marked from all those years ago. As I perused through the cuisine of my past, I decided to throw the entire book away – who cooks in a microwave anymore? Then I remembered what I was writing about and thought, “how appropriate.”

Sometimes it takes more than one run-through to get rid of everything. I’ve kept that cookbook for several years now even though I haven’t used it. My husband is finally on board with the de-cluttering philosophy and I’ve been cleaning out our basement. The more I get rid of the more I want to get rid of and I’ve made three passes over just one wall. Some items have been down there for over 26 years and I’m just hoping that they are not the structural support for the house at this point! One thing’s for sure, we’ll find out.

Now it’s your turn to find out how freeing and energetically uplifting de-cluttering your life can be. Use this list as a guide but obviously add your own.

1. Clean off and out your desk, both at home and in the office.
2. Throw away all the useless stuff in the kitchen drawer, and any other “junk” drawers in your home or office.
3. Donate to a school or library all of the books you’ve hung onto and will never read again.
4. Empty your purse and put back only what you really use.
5. Organize your wallet.
6. Rid your bathroom vanity of toiletries you brought home but decided you don’t like. (Anything collecting dust probably needs to be thrown away.)
7. Give or throw away all those ugly ties that you received as gifts but you’ve never liked or worn.
8. Throw away your old underwear, socks, and shoes.
9. Toss the pile of magazines by the bed or next to the sofa, or anywhere they might be piling up.
10. Recycle everything you can around your house. If it can’t be used, get rid of it.
11. Weed out your closet. Take out anything you don’t wear or love and send it to Salvation Army or Goodwill.
12. Grab a trash bag and a vacuum, and clean out your car.
13. Clean out the garage.
14. Clean out your refrigerator.
15. Chase out the dust bunnies in the basement.
16. Empty all your wastebaskets and clean them out.
17. Return all your wire hangers to the dry cleaner.
18. Get rid of all the ugly sheets and towels you’ve had since college.
19. Clean out your cleaning supplies - pitch out the half-used and clumped up Comet, the dried up and filthy sponges, and the gray pieces of soap.
20. Clear up unfinished obligations and commitments.
21. Clear out your inbox and Outlook tasks.
22. Pay any money that you owe.
23. Resolve any arguments from your past if you can, or just let it go.
24. While you are at it, throw away any bad attitudes and the tired old stories of misery and failure as well.

Life is great. It really is. You just have to let it be. Get rid of anything, anything, that tells you or reminds you of times when life was anything but great.

Until next time,
Live joyfully!

If you’d like to sign up for retreat information as it becomes available, click here.

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Technorati Tags: energy, success, clutter, guilt, fear

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss