Periodically, we all need a different perspective, another point of view, a fresh take on our experience so we can see things with clear vision. Otherwise we can get stuck in a rut without even realizing that we’re trapped. Whether external events shake up our reality (like the recent election) or someone shares another interpretation, new ways of looking at the world can cause us to rethink things. Having a different vantage point can lead to incredible possibilities.

My recent CLEAR Master Class was a powerful reminder of the importance of letting go to create more spaciousness. A participant shared an unexpected insight they received that created a new more expansive vision than anything they had previously considered. Thinking big becomes possible with openness! Why? Because we’ve shifted the frame and can now explore new ideas.

I’ve been following my Authentic Alchemy Path process myself to get more clarity. This weekend I tackled a huge clean out project in my office, decluttering a significant amount of paperwork accumulated over years. Much of it was mine, some was my Dad’s.

I’m grateful at how organized he was, though also shocked by how much paper he held onto. Maybe the dentist in him valued a paper trail, but mostly he didn’t use email or technology, so that left a lot of hard copies to sort through. Now I know where my thorough note-taking and record retention habits come from:)

Thankfully, after appreciating what the papers represented, I could release them and feel lighter (at least 50 pounds lighter). Sorting through the mountains of paper (both his and mine) allowed me to revisit quality over quantity. To reconsider what is most important – what I need to access daily or periodically. I could also consider what should be retained for posterity and what is simply needed for recordkeeping and documentation.

Focusing on “utilization” lets us be practical about what we need in the moment. We can also place the future in proper context as those things we are working towards, but may not be able to allocate time to now. This is worth considering, as we can often over-complicate our lives.

Focus and Simplify

As a visual person, I like to see the things I need to use in plain sight or I forget where stuff is. Based on my needs, I reorganized my desk completely with only files and items I use daily. The previous piles of stuff that I might need, but rarely used, were removed so now my desk is clear and I feel unencumbered.

I cannot overstate the value of rearranging things for greater accessibility! Otherwise we devote our energy to seemingly important future goals that may not be relevant now, diverting our attention from what we should prioritize. Another CLEAR Master Class participant was able to prioritize multiple priorities that had been creating anxiety and overwhelm, but become more manageable when contextualized.

Bucketing activities, files or challenges into different zones or groups can help us to better manage our priorities. Since out of sight means out of mind for me, adding labels and placing things intuitively relative to how frequently I need them means I no longer need to worry because I have a system. I won’t need to spend any attention on things that only require annual review because a calendar note will prompt me to revisit them at the appropriate time (think taxes).

I appreciated this Clutterbug YouTube channel’s great suggestions for rethinking home organization. The idea of a Household Management System was part of what inspired me to restructure my overall office layout differently than it was organized previously.

It reminded me of a wonderful recipe folder gift from one of my Dad’s best friends with his most delicious Italian recipes all in one place. This let me discover his sauteed spinach (with lemon zest and juice) which has become a go-to staple in my cooking rotations. How can you find a way to thoughtfully gather the best of the best in one place?

Another way I’m hoping to simplify is through more weekend meal prep to make my life easier. Grouping foods and managing my time better will free me up for other things I care about, like more walks and writing time.

Simplicity Creates Space

How might you simplify aspects of your life and work that you’ve been overcomplicating? If you want to change jobs, have you cleared your calendar for networking and research time? What steps could you take now rather than wait for the perfect time to move forward? If you’ve been feeling burned out and overwhelmed, could you scale back your commitments or ask for additional support to create more space?

Reduce decision fatigue, like Steve Jobs wearing the same black shirt and uniform every day (many other leaders have followed this approach to simplify their lives and build their personal brands). Put everything in it’s place around how you actually live your life.

Once I cleared my file cabinets and shelves of unnecessary papers, there was more space for me to put other things away that had previously been out and about. My desk, which I had small, now feels expansive. As a result, I feel calm and focused, with more energy for creative endeavors, reduced stress and increased productivity.

What areas of your life or work feel cluttered and in need of more breathing room? Are you ready for a reset or a rethink to rearrange your lifestyle to support your growth goals? You would be surprised how much our outer world reflects our inner experience. You can create more alignment from the outside in, by moving things around and shifting your perception. Sometimes the physical approach to shifting your environment can shake things up more than a deep psychological analysis.

If this sounds appealing to you, reach out for a Discovery Call to learn more about having CLEAR session where together we will assess your goals through the lens of your physical space. I will recommend changes you can easily implement using feng shui principles. These surprisingly powerful and low cost changes use things you already have and will incorporate incredibly customized rituals and inspiration to rewrite your story through your space.

After my client Jane rearranged her desk to change her view, cleared her closets and reorganized her office, she was able to completely to transform her space and mindset. You can read about her story in my book. CLEAR sessions are just one element of my 6 month coaching program to holistically address all aspects of your life and work to align everything around what you want to create.

Focus on What Matters

I’ll be going through the Authentic Alchemy Path’s INNER WORK process in the free REALIZE intro workshop this Friday, July 25th at 12:30pm EST. You can register HERE. I will walk you through step one, which is a great place to start getting a handle on what you want to create in the future and where you are now. With this understanding you will intuitively know how best to move forward on your vision.

Our goal will be to help you uncover what you care most about so you can prioritize these areas. I’ll be guiding you through a visualization and reflection questions to give you more insight. There will also be a REALIZE Master Class deep dive on Tuesday, August 12 at 6pm EST where you will walk away knowing yourself better. Having clarity will support you to understand where to focus your energy to be successful and find more meaning.

I would love to see you this Friday (register HERE to get access to the recording)!

To simplifying your life around what matters most,
Lenore