This article was originally published on December 31, 2013.
So I did.
And I still do. (Because it’s a habit…and because it’s fun.)
But what I’ve come to learn over the past few years is that there’s an amazingly powerful process that helps me accomplish even more in my life than is inspired by the typical goal-setting session.
It’s called “Creating Space.”
I got this idea from best-selling author David Allen, who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Getting Things Done.
In one of his podcasts, he suggested that when we create space in our lives–by removing the clutter from our physical environments, getting our email inbox to zero, and eliminating any excess habits or distractions from our lives, we can’t help but be creative, productive, and effective in our work.
I’ve put this to the test, and I can tell you with 100% confidence that it works.
I don’t know exactly what it is, but when my cupboards aren’t bursting with “stuff,” and when I can see the carpet in my children’s rooms, my mind starts to light up. I get new ideas, I have more energy, and I start thinking big.
So even though my hallways currently look like this:
And even though my dining room table is covered with the piano music my 13-year-old is so graciously sorting for us…
I feel exhilarated about the coming year.
QUESTION: Do you have any ideas to share about how YOU get motivated for the new year?
I agree with you 100%! As I have worked very hard to create space (I am not a naturally organized person), it has made a huge difference in my mental state. I will be using your 7 steps to an organized house as I move into a new one in the next few weeks.
I love your approach. Just this evening, as we tucked the boys into bed, I looked around their room and my stress level rose. So much stuff, everywhere … oof. I suggested to my husband that we use Saturday as a day to clear things out and organize/purge(he and I can do the same with our clothes/etc.), and then we do a family outing on Sunday as a reward. He’s on board. Hopefully I, like you, will feel the space start to inspire me.
Happy New Year!
This is such an exciting concept. Thank you, April! No wonder some of my goals and dreams just feel too heavy- there is little space in my house, brain or schedule to make them happen. Flylady had a saying that “you can’t organize clutter”. Clutter is just so sneaky!
So the next steps are to find out how to make getting rid of clutter more fun. Maybe some good music, a system of sorts (boxes) and a reward.