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to our free, private monthly newsletter for fresh ideas Topic: What do you need to clean up? This is your
IdeaShape newsletter, March 2001, Table of Contents A. The Big Idea KNOW ANYONE WHO MAY ENJOY THIS? Feel free to forward this newsletter to interested friends and colleagues. For a complimentary subscription to this monthly newsletter, they can mailto: newsletter@ideashape.com =================================================
"Out of clutter, find simplicity." ~ Albert Einstein Welcome to Spring.... to patches of sunshine, sidewalks in new bloom, and that celebrated urge to clean something up. Do it! What do you need to let go to make space for what you want? =================================================
1. Your calendar What are you REALLY committed to? In other words, what are you actually making time for? If this doesn't match what you now choose to create in your life, it's time for your calendar to reflect your new commitments. That means letting go of whatever's getting in the way. You can get serious about living your commitments by walking through your calendar for the next month, scheduling time to do what's important and crossing off the rest. Yep, I know this isn't easy. But, hey, it's your life. You get to make the tough choices. 2. Your word What would you gain by letting go of pretense, white lies, false fronts, gossip, and promises you don't intend to keep? If you choose to take on the challenge of cleaning up your word, how will you catch yourself in the act and make other choices? 3. Your files and stuff Is stuff getting in your way? What will it take to prune the piles and reduce new inputs? Do you need to simplify your commitments, retrain your colleagues, partner with your assistant, or devise a file system that works for you? 4. Your health What are you doing that is depressing your energy and threatening your health? What are you willing to do instead? What assistance will help you make change? Do you need a trainer or workout buddy, new running shoes, or a doctor who will partner with you? 5. What else? For a week, jot down everything you notice is draining your energy. Then tackle the list. Do it, delegate it, or dump it! =================================================
"The Portable Coach" by Thomas J. Leonard (1998) -- Thought-provoking guide to cleaning up your personal and professional priorities. See especially Chapter 15, "Tolerate Nothing," and Ch. 24, "Simplify Everything." "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston (1998) -- As Karen notes, clutter begins as a symptom of what's happening in your life and then becomes part of the problem. You can learn how to let go of stuff that no longer serves you. Several of my friends and clients have used Karen's approach to make dramatic leaps forward in their lives. I'm next. :-) "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz (1997) -- Whether or not you share the author's spiritual perspective, you can find tremendous wisdom in this quick read. Seriously consider rising to the challenge of Agreement 1: Be Impeccable with Your Word. =================================================
Eighteen months ago my twin sister asked me to give up my 17 year pack-a-day love affair with Diet Coke. So I did, right then. Sounds like a little change. Nope! It was huge. I had no idea I was so hooked! For 3 months I thought of Diet Coke constantly. I discovered that I had been reaching for a pick-me-up rather than make choices about my life that gave me energy. In giving it up, I made space for better choices. I also gained extra confidence in my ability to make a commitment to myself and stick with it. I tell you this because I want to acknowledge that cleaning up the "small stuff" can be hard. And powerful! What are you holding on to that would be powerful for you to clean up? If you'd like to get in touch about any of this, send an email. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Each month you receive this email with ideas and resources you can use to shape your success. Some of these ideas will strike you as obvious... I invite you to step back and look at how this is actually working in your life. Others will seem far out... I invite you to consider how much choice you actually have. Have a fabulous
Spring! ================================================= WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO... Expand your capacity to take on bigger opportunities? Lead your organization to bring out the best around you? Be your most creative, focused self in your work? Shape a life that consistently fulfills you? Contact us for coaching, facilitation, leadership development, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, and related services that help executives, fast-trackers, teams, and professionals achieve their goals faster and more easily. TO CONTACT US: To offer feedback, submit ideas for articles or resources, or explore working together, mailto: pamfox@ideashape.com We want this newsletter to be a valuable source of ideas and information... your feedback will help us accomplish this. Thank you! To unsubscribe or change your email address, please mailto: newsletter-change@ideashape.com. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues! For a complimentary subscription to this monthly newsletter, they can mailto: newsletter@ideashape.com We request that you keep the broadcast intact, including our contact and copyright information. Copyright (c) 2001, all rights reserved. |
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