Spring has sprung in most parts of the United States and with spring, I always think about spring cleaning! Yes, if you’re like most people, just the mention of the words “spring cleaning” will produce a big fat groan, but don’t you agree there’s something a little magical and motivational about clearing out our space? Whether it’s to make room for more stuff and to just live in uncluttered surroundings, it does have its rewards!
Here’s a few places where you might be inclined to start:
- Your computer. Whaat? I know. It’s full to the brim with digital products, freebies, and information that you’ve collected but have never and will never use. You know I’m right. Start deleting!
- E-mails. If you’re like I am, they start piling up pretty fast, even if you have a dependable system for getting rid of them. Here’s an idea: If you haven’t opened the e-mail and it’s over a week old, delete. If you have saved it but haven’t looked at it in six months (or longer), delete. Get going!
- Your workspace. This should go without saying but hey, I know how papers, book, and ideas can pile up. Toss anything that isn’t really needed. And, don’t pretend like it all is. It’s not and you know it!
- Your brain. This one can be somewhat tricky, but well worth the time spent. I’m talking about mental clutter. You know what it looks like: unnecessary thoughts, worries, and feelings that often impede our ability to get our work done! Guard what you are willing to put into your mind. I feel so strongly about mental clutter that I produced an audio several years ago to help people get Rewired!
- Your circle of friends. Ok. I know you have a full circle of adoring, positive influences in your life and don’t need help here. I’m just saying, if there’s anyone in your life that is constantly feeding negativity into the mix, you need to try to sweep that person right on out of your awareness. (if it’s a permanent family member, my condolences!)
Now, step up to the plate, clean out your clutter, and get on the business of having a business!
Peace,
-Martha
Martha Giffen
Martha Giffen is a Small Business and Social Media Consultant, Coach, Trainer, and Speaker. The author of 3 best-selling books, including "Be Social Be Rich," she is an Online Marketing authority and teaches Small Biz Owners how to achieve massive profitable success. And, -she dishes it all out with a warm southern flare!
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so me. Thanks for reminding me to clean out my computer too.
Thanks for the kick in the pants. I really need to get on with cleaning out the millions of emails (seems like) that I’m never going to read, or read again.
alanc230 recently posted..Multiple Streams of Income From a Single Great Idea
You are so right Martha, the dreaded spring cleaning. Yikes!
So I’ve mentioned numerous times that I’m annoyingly organized so my computer, emails, workspace, brain and even my circle of friends gets cleaned out periodically throughout the year. Okay, maybe not my good friends but there are some that just seem to drop off the face of the earth so I carry on without them.
Yeah, I know but I did warn you that I’m annoying. But it’s a good thing when it comes to not letting things pile up.
Hope you’re doing good these days!
Adrienne recently posted..2012 Is The Year Of No Excuses
Awesome post! I got in the Spring Cleaning mood a couple of weeks ago, and wrote a very similar post:
http://amethystmahoney.com/3-easy-ways-to-fight-overwhelm/
I used the zoomed in picture, but now I’m thinking I like the one you used better, haha!
Amethyst Mahoney recently posted..5 Reasons You Should Participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge
Good point: Spring Cleaning is more than just dust, paperwork, and emails these days. Clean out those “friends” list, your Twitter following, and all those mailing lists you are on and don’t want to be.
Denise Sonnenberg recently posted..9 Examples of Successful Use of Pinterest for Marketing
Clean out the Twitter followers. . . . good one. I’m assuming you mean the ones that aren’t following you back or never, ever contribute to the conversation? Thanks Denise!
Martha recently posted..Finding Blog Content That Rocks!
Clutter, clutter, clutter. the shelf above my head is so overloaded, that I risk getting it on my head one day while sitting here and working.
Great advice about the brain de-cluttering!
Emily D. recently posted..Dentist filing down your healthy teeth? It is outrageous!
Funny Emily! You should definitely think about cleaning out the shelf over your head!
Martha recently posted..Biggest Online Business Blunders
Hi Martha…Spring cleaning is not just about cleaning literally but it can also involve some things like what you’ve said like, emails and brain…Very informative article for us!
ShirleyFai recently posted..Gout Natural Remedies
Thanks Shirley! Appreciate the kind words.
Martha recently posted..Five Brilliant Ways To Improve Your Tweets
Martha, You write such good advice here..and with great humour!
I love how you say “Guard what you are willing to put into your mind” because it’s so true. We have to choose wisely what we listen to and what we think. Intake and output are pretty freakin closely related aren’t they?
It would seem that your comments about the desk situation…sigh. That’s talking to me! I have the ‘what if I need this later” issue. Time to get ruthless and toss!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Bonnie Copeland recently posted..Breakable? No Way
You, ruthless Bonnie? Can’t imagine! LOL But, yes, let the tossing begin!
Martha recently posted..Biggest Online Business Blunders
We recently moved countries so had a major throw out of our accumulated clutter. I found that you have to be ruthless when you are throwing stuff out – just ask yourself what’s the worst that could happen if you throw it out!
Also like your suggestion about mental clutter – it is so hard to function if you stuff on your mind. I schedule some “thinking time” into my day and I use it to download and deal with the mental clutter but maybe I should assess what goes into my mind in the first place! I think I’m going to listen to your audio now!
Love your idea of “thinking time!” Especially that you schedule it into your day. Thanks for that wonderful tip. I’m going to incorporate it into my own day!
Martha recently posted..Is Social Media Draining Your Bank Account?
I know I should, but OMG – I hate the process! When I win the lottery – can I just START OVER? O.K. had to get that out of my system… my goal – is to do a little every day… I did this a few years back – and cleaned out several drawers a closet, etc… it lasted a few months… LOL
The hard part is KEEPING it cleaned!
Who knows… maybe this post will be my motivation… lol
Knikkolette recently posted..Twitter: How To Spot That Bot!
I’m with you Knikkolette! It’s the PROCESS that is a pain. However, I DO like to work in a neat area and it DOES make for a more productive day! Get busy girlfriend
Martha recently posted..4 Common Misconceptions About PLR Content
When did you get that picture of my office? Where is your secret camera? It’s been 3 or more years since I have seen my desk top. Spring cleaning, springing into cleaning, not printing up so much stuff. My email basket runneth over as well. As for friends, there is only one seat in my office. It’s a good way to keep the friends away. Thanks for the reminder. I’ve been thinking about my desk since New Years, no wait since fall cleaning, no wait, maybe for the past few years.
Ann recently posted..Helping Your Child Adjust to Glasses
too funny! I know the feeling! It gets piled up in a hurry! Thanks for stopping by Ann!
Martha recently posted..Biggest Online Business Blunders
Ha nice, especially the friends one! I’m toying with the idea of removing every single thing from my desk I think that would be a nice change. I fear I’m going to have to keep my monitor on there though.
Dan recently posted..Facebook like competition – month 0
Having only a monitor on your desk is quite a novel idea Dan! Go for it!
Martha recently posted..Biggest Online Business Blunders
Thanks for the reminder. I need to delete huge amounts of emails from my inbox. Haven’t done that in many months.
Armi Niemi recently posted..5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Productivity
I hear ya Armi! Emails are usually my own downfall! If you haven’t done it in months, I know you need to do some major deleting! Good luck!
Martha recently posted..Is Social Media Draining Your Bank Account?
I need to get on my spring cleaning! I like that you added brain and friends, although I don’t have any friends that I need to “spring clean”. Good ideas, though! We need to be reminded to do some maintenance on these types of things every now and then.
Alicia recently posted..How to Get a Loan with Bad Credit
Glad to know all your peeps are keepers Alicia! Have fun with that spring cleaning!
Martha recently posted..Can Taking Massive Action Really Change Your Life??
Martha, thanks for these important cleansing reminders. It’s nice & REALLY refreshing to have an organized space wherever you are, it leaves plenty room for getting more things done, (and you won’t need to worry about clutter again!) so i’m all with you on that!
Great post! -Angela
Angela Soliz recently posted..Changes to Facebook Fan Pages | Effective March 30, 2012
Totally agree Angela! It makes such a difference in productivity.
Martha recently posted..Five Brilliant Ways To Improve Your Tweets