Have you ever seen the TV show “The Hoarders”?
I’ve
watched it a few times and, to be honest, felt like a hoarder in my own
office when I am working on an intense project. There are files,
papers, pens, post-it notes, note pads, etc. all over the place. Flip
chart paper is on each and every wall surface.
And I’ve also felt like a hoarder when the year is well underway and I take a look at my in-box on my computer.
Have any of you ever felt that way?
Perhaps we aren’t all at the
‘hoarding’ stage but I have no doubt that many of you can relate to the
word ‘clutter’ when it comes to many aspects of running your business.
So let’s start the new year off on the right foot and address some of these categories, along with some solutions.
1) YOUR OFFICE.
You do work out of an office, right? I ask that question because I
have had many conversations with entrepreneurs who have confessed to the
fact that there office is so very cluttered that they have, in fact,
moved on out into the dining room – or to some other such area of their
home or building – where there is a clear, flat surface. Seriously? Hard
to believe but very true for many people. You cannot run a successful
business that way – cluttered office = cluttered mind = chaos!
SOLUTION:
I
have a few suggestions for this. 1) Allocate an hour a day to attack
the chaos in your office. Pick one corner and stay focused on that one
corner. Be prepared with trash bags, recycle bins, and any other tools
to help you move things into an organized state. Mark it on your
calendar and honor that commitment! It will all be done before you know
it – and watch both the energy and the money begin to flow into your
business. You’ll be happier too! 2) Hire a professional organizer. Yes,
they do exist! And they are fabulous at what they do. Call one today and
start the new year off on the right foot.
2) CLIENT FILES.
This might sound weird to you but what I am actually talking about is
your client base. Yes, those people you are currently working with. As
new entrepreneurs, we often accept clients who have ‘a pulse and a
dollar’ and then, as we work with them over a short period of time, come
to realize that, in fact, they are just like ‘clutter’. They are not
your ideal client – they are taking up time, energy and resources.
Again, you will not be able to grow your business as long as this is
happening.
SOLUTION:
I
encourage my clients to categorize their client data-base into A’s, B’s
and C’s. The A’s are the ideal clients – they pay you on time, they do
the work, they are engaged, they give you testimonials and referrals.
You want to keep them! The B’s typically are potential ‘A’s’ but they
haven’t been nurtured. Easily done. Schedule a time to begin doing that.
The C’s are where the clutter comes in- these are the clients who do
not do the work, constantly complain, don’t pay you, are full of
excuses. Time to fire them – get rid of that clutter – and open space
for new clients. It takes a lot of positive energy to grow your business
and working with ‘C’ clients is not going to support your efforts. So,
clean out your client files and your client base – and watch the
difference this makes for you and your business immediately.
3) COMPUTER IN-BOX.
You’re nodding your head already because you know where I am going
with this! When IS the last time you cleared the clutter from your
in-box? And not just on your computer – what about your I-phone, your
I-pad and any other electronic device that captures your emails, etc.?
Every time you look at your in-box and it is filled with ezines
(unread), emails (unread), and junk mail – it drains your energy. Time
to change all that!
SOLUTION:
Once
again, schedule a time to remove the clutter. I did that over the
holidays and what a huge difference it makes! Hire a VA to help you with
that – especially for things like Facebook messages and photos that are
piling up in your account. So, either you do it, a little bit every day
– or schedule a chunk of time at the end of the week and get at it, or
hire a VA to help you with it. You will be so happy you did. AND
THEN…….get into the habit of having no more than 10-20 emails in your
in-box at the end of each day/week. It is a habit and one you can easily
develop. I have my Friday 50 practice – no more than 50 emails to
handle by the end of day on Fridays. Love it. You will, too.
4) YOUR MINDSET.
Yes, there is clutter there, too! In particular, negative thinking.
That is absolute clutter and must go. Negative thoughts will hold you
back. Fear will hold you back. Doubt and hesitation will hold you back
from growing a thriving and profitable business.
SOLUTION:
There
are so many courses, books, classes, etc. these days on critical
thinking skills. You must get your thinking in order for 2014 to have a
successful business. Change the way you think, and change the way you
perform. Get serious about this – schedule time to learn the critical
thinking skills that will help you with respect to your habits,
attitudes, beliefs and expectations. Make this your year to think
positive!
5) YOUR HOME.
Yes, this is a critical component to clearing the clutter. When there
is chaos on the outside, there is chaos on the inside. Get rid of the
stuff that no longer serves you. As a nation, we have accumulated so
much – and it just lays around, getting in our way. It blocks energy.
SOLUTION: Begin
in small bites – start with a drawer in a dresser or in the kitchen.
Set the time – go at it for 30 minutes at a time. One small task at a
time – once a week. Before you know it, you’ll get that energy flowing
and you will love it.
6) YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE.
In the words of Les Brown, ‘some people are not good for you’! Get
rid of the toxic people in your world – in your family, your friends,
your colleagues, your team. They must go. They are not good for you.
They are the weakest link – you will default to their energy, all the
time.
SOLUTION:
Make
a list of the people you spend the most time with. Identify who are
contributes to your energy and your success – they are the keepers.
Identify who contaminates your energy and your success – they must go.
They must! And don’t be writing to me to tell me how difficult this is –
I know it because I’ve been there, done that. And no regrets! You can
do this, too. It is critical to your good health and the success of your
business.
Clearing the clutter must become a way of life for you as an entrepreneur.
When
you make the decision to succeed – nothing can get in your way. Start
today! Watch as you begin to attract ideal clients, make more money and
make a big difference in life. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
What one thing will you begin today to clear the clutter in your life and in your business? We’d love to hear!
About the Author: Pat Mussieux owner and founder of Wealthy
Women Leaders, is the shoot-from-the-hip business building mentor. She has
coached and mentored thousands of women entrepreneurs in her programs. Having
surpassed the multiple six- figure mark herself in just over three years, she
coaches her clients to create profitable businesses. A
n award-winning
entrepreneur, Pat is a coach, author, and TV host. Learn more about Pat
here.
Most
of you know by now that I do most of my cooking in bulk. For me, I find it works best to spend one
day, with one focus, and get the job done. 
