Here in the Northern Hemisphere it’s officially springtime. I live in New Jersey and this winter was more “wintry” then usual…there was more snow than normal and the temperatures were lower. Then, during the last official weekend of winter, we got hit with a deluge of rain and something amazing happened…the snow melted, the trees started budding and the bulbs began to flower.
It’s like winter was washed away and now it’s time for a good spring cleaning so that everything can bloom and thrive.
So what does this have to do with decluttering, running your business and getting your life in order?
Many people use January 1st, the beginning of a new year, as a date to spur them into action but I find Spring is when my brain really kicks into gear and I get down to business.
In order for me to get myself moving I first need to set the stage and clear away the winter cobwebs with a good spring cleaning. What I’ve noticed is that I tend to so the same things to help my business and life grow as I do in the garden.
Here are four things that you can do this Spring for your life, business and garden to make them thrive.
- Clean up the debris. First you have to set the stage. In your garden you get rid of the branches that fell during storms, leaves that came down after the last raking and the shells from the acorns that the squirrels munched on during the winter. On your desk and in your workspace now is a great time to take a look around and get rid of the junk. Ask yourself if the things you have around you are things that will help your life and business thrive or if they are things they just ended up there?
- Prepare for new growth. You break up the earth and spread fertilizer in the garden. Now is also the time to prepare your workspace, mind and calendar. Are there programs that you want to invest in to help you grow? Are there any things that you are in the middle of that you want to wrap up so that you are ready to move on? Are the things you are doing and have around you fostering creativity or stifling it?
- See what’s growing. You check to make sure that your plants have survived the winter and that you still like what you have growing. Now is the time to look around at the things you have around you including the projects that you have lined up and make sure that they still make sense for you. Was the idea a good one when it was planted? Is it still a good idea? Is it time to let it go? Is it time to give it all you’ve got to make it flourish?
- Decide what you want to grow and see if it fits. None of us have endless space, what’s more is even if you do have room, the space doesn’t always suit the things you want to grow there. For instance, my yard has very little direct sunlight so technically I have room to plant tomatoes but since they need a lot of sun they won’t grow well. Alternatively, you may have plenty of sunlight but not much physical space. So while you look over the things that you want to do see if they fit into your plan. Do you have the time, space and environment you need to devote to these projects to make them grow? Does it make sense for you to spend your time and energy on these things?
Now here’s the most important piece…do you have the help you need? My garden will not look the way I want it to without someone to help me mow the lawn, move rocks and keep up the beds. My business and life would not function the way I want them to if I don’t get the help I need there too. Some of the help I use is a coach, a support network, equipment and training in skills that I may be lacking or want to brush up on.
What help do you need to make your business and life run better? What skills do you want to learn or sharpen?
When you give your calendar, to-do list and things a good spring cleaning you will set yourself up for a business and a life that thrives.
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