Life is funny. There are a multitude of universal truths that are relevant no matter what religion, faith, non-faith, philosophy, or lifestyle you lead. One thing that I’m learning is true, as I move into a new house, is that cleaning the space around you can effect you mentally. When was the last time you truly looked deep into the archives of your life and decided to clean everything up? When you did that, did it change the way you thought? Did you feel as though you were newly acquiring the old you? I know I have. I feel more connected to ME since my move, and I feel as though it has made me more creative and able to accept the good that I know is coming my way.
Since our businesses are entities, then we need to do the same for them that we do for ourselves. Think about getting out your old business plans, communications documents, balance sheets, income statements, and amortization schedules for your equipment. Throw out what is not necessary so that you have physical and energetic space to make room for the good that we have yet to consciously realize we thought of.
I am making a pact to myself, today, to clean out my mental and physical space once a quarter – as well as my business documents. Anybody out there want to make the pact with me? I hope so, because I remembered how much I don’t like being alone when I did my cleaning this past week. 😀
Additionally, even if you don’t plan on a new “Big Idea” then you should still bi-annually take out all the unnecessary or weak words from your communications then hit the scene/business landscape again with a cleaned up and recent representation of the greatness that is your small business.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave me a message about the last time you cleaned stuff up in your life. I’m inspired right now; I hope you are too.
About Therran Oliphant
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Great Post Therran. I have to admit that the literal and the mental cleaning of the cobwebs are not my favorite tasks. The mental aspects makes me revisit things I often don't want to namely failures. I would love to sweep them under the rug so to speak and forget about them. I definitely like the idea of facing the task quarterly. Just like doing it to your home you become more connected to who and what you are and what's important and what isn't.
i'm with you! by chance last weekend was my clean-out-the-cobwebs time, too. nothing like letting go of some old or outdated idea, task, piece of paper, concern, plan … to make room for the new, exciting stuff.
When I switched jobs about three months ago, it forced me to go through all the various client files, e-books/whitepapers and other printed documents I had accumulated over the years. It was refreshing to sort through everything, determine what I would still find valuable in the future and then recycle the rest. Like you said, every business should do a “clean up” every so often.
Toya –
Thank you. The failures to me, are sometimes my favorite things to remember because I know that I’ve learned something.. Sometimes when I go on a success streak, I forget the little things and start making mistakes. I’m getting better at changing that though.
Hadi –
Great minds think alike, I guess!
Nikki –
I love going through old work. I found myself going through old business documents and even school documents, that I found extremely valuable. I’m sometimes amazed at how smart I was at 22 and I think “what happened to that guy”? LOL But seriously, thanks for the comments.
Jen –
Sorry to hear about your father, but I’m sure it helps you grieve and cleanse to be so close to him and his stuff – even if it is a hoarders paradise. I can totally empathize with moving on, mentally, too fast. I can pivot on a nail head sometimes. I may not even have the idea fully formed, but the seedling of it can make me completely change course like I’ve already thought it all out and completed the task! If you find some good techniques, do share. I will help you promote your classes.
I just moved, too. I'm also in the process of cleaning out my deceased father's house. He would have been a good candidate for the lower-level hoarders show. You know, “Hoarders: No Dead Animals, But Still a Big Mess”.
I'm sure that's part of the reason I'm the other extreme. The problem with joyful tossing is the risk of getting rid of things you really should keep. I have to be careful about mentally doing the same thing: Already moving to the next idea without fully processing the last one. I'm trying to be a better listener, and more thoughtful in general; just slowing the pace a bit. It's a challenge!
Good thinking, Therran – we all need to do that in our own lives and in our business world. I'm with you!
I'm constantly re-evaluating life from personal to business. As you stated, it's an important yet sometimes difficult thing to do.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice! Now, we'll have to have a system to check each other's progress each quarter. Any suggestions?
Toya –
Thank you. The failures to me, are sometimes my favorite things to remember because I know that I’ve learned something.. Sometimes when I go on a success streak, I forget the little things and start making mistakes. I’m getting better at changing that though.
Hadi –
Great minds think alike, I guess!
Nikki –
I love going through old work. I found myself going through old business documents and even school documents, that I found extremely valuable. I’m sometimes amazed at how smart I was at 22 and I think “what happened to that guy”? LOL But seriously, thanks for the comments.
Jen –
Sorry to hear about your father, but I’m sure it helps you grieve and cleanse to be so close to him and his stuff – even if it is a hoarders paradise. I can totally empathize with moving on, mentally, too fast. I can pivot on a nail head sometimes. I may not even have the idea fully formed, but the seedling of it can make me completely change course like I’ve already thought it all out and completed the task! If you find some good techniques, do share. I will help you promote your
This blog post speaks to me on a personal level. I heard a presentation on Saturday in regards to clutter and the traps that it leads to personally, professionally and otherwise. Today I cleaned out many of my bins and baskets…still much more to do but I feel relieved that the process has started. Thanks for sharing. I am committing to the quarterly pact!! Hold me accountable. Tara Michener http://www.taramichener.com
All I need is the app for you computer, now! LOL Be on the lookout…