Get Rid Of The Clutter

You really can have a successful business and a great life. Often we get caught up in growing our business or climbing the corporate ladder that we put our personal lives on hold. Rather than filling up your calendar with work, organizations, commitments, and activities that don't bring you joy, think about putting on your calendar the activities that you really want to do first. Make having a great life your top priority.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

Think about your vision for what you want your life to look like and focus on creating your ideal life. Focus on today, not the past or the future. If you're too much at once, you need to un-clutter your life.

ELIMINATE TOLERATIONS

Tolerations are the petty annoyances you put up with in your life. They drain you of energy. They may make you feel tired and stifle your creativity. The car that needs an oil change; the dentist appointment you've been meaning to make. Make a list of everything you're tolerating. By writing them down and planning to eliminate them, you are taking the first step to having the life you really want. Select five tolerations you have been putting up with and take action on the first one as soon as possible ? it will make a difference!

RAISE YOUR STANDARDS

Do you have an "ideal client?" List his seven qualities then focus on working with clients who reach those standards. Clients who are not ideal are taking up your time and energy that otherwise could be spent with people who bring you joy. Raise your standards and work with people who appreciate you and the services you provide.

SET BOUNDARIES

Boundaries are like a moat around your castle. The imaginary lines you establish around yourself protect your soul, heart and mind from the unhealthy or damaging behavior of others. A boundary simply defines what people can and can't do to you. Once you know what your boundaries are, then focus on what to do when someone crosses them. Use this simple four-step communication model: inform, request, demand and, if still no result, then leave. When you protect yourself with healthy boundaries, you gain respect, grow emotionally and you will attract people who have a similar respect for themselves.

DESIGN YOUR IDEAL WEEK

You can design your ideal week, but it's important to have a plan. Plan three different types of days: productive (work), practical (family) and play (yourself). Remember, you'll need to be flexible. A productive day involves concentrating on moneymaking activities. If you're in sales, it's when you're face to face with customers, or making presentations to a prospect. Plan on practical days in the office to catch up on phone calls, write proposals, organize your office, and do maintenance for your business - it's much more effective. Then plan a play day. Block out at least 24 hours and don't do any work - no voicemail, computer or paperwork. Just time for you!

SAY NO!

In order to have a great life, you have to learn to say "no" - even when you really want to say "yes." Ask yourself throughout the day, "Is this the best use of my time, right now?"

UNDER-PROMISE, OVER-DELIVER

Often in our desire to please people, we tend to over-promise. An example: You're asked to provide a report or proposal and you promise to deliver it in five days. You put yourself under pressure and it turns out that some information you need is not available. You complete the project in six days and no one is happy. If you know you can do it in seven days, promise it in 10. Leave buffer time for obstacles. When you deliver the project a day or two early, you look like a hero and the pressure has been minimal.

PRACTICE EXTREME SELF-CARE

You must take care of yourself in order to be successful and to have a great life. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be effective in business or in your personal life. Block out time on your calendar and plan on ways to nurture yourself.

DREAM IN A DRAWER

Do you have a dream? Is there something you would really like to do, but there's never enough time? Most of us have a dream in our drawer. Take it out and take the first step to making it a reality. Hire a coach or have a friend help you with a plan. Set up steps of accountability and make that dream come true!

Phyllis Sisenwine is a Master Certified Coach and Motivational Speaker. The founder of Powerful Solutions, Inc, a professional coaching firm based in Langhorne, PA., Sisenwine shares her success strategies with clients, coaching them to achieve exceptional growth in business and in their personal lives. She uses her 20 years of experience in corporate or outside sales to help her clients create effective plans and develop strategies that result in a focus for success. For more information, call 215-968-2424 or visit http://www.powerfulcoaching.com

---

The Organized Move: Unpacking with a Plan

(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More

Memorabilia -- Use It or Lose It!

What do you do with those special items that have... Read More

A Personal Action Plan for Change

There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

10 Organizing Tips for Road Warrior Parents

Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More

Clutter & Creativity

Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More

10 Simple Steps to a More Organized Household

1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More

Organization and the Opposite Sex

In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More

Tired of Endless Chores and To-Dos? Stop Running Around in Circles and Enjoy Life Again

Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More

Is Your To Do List The Problem?

You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More

Introducing the Power Hour Concept to Plough Through Mountainous Tasks

Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More

Heres A Great Way To Organize Your Work From Home Office Virtually

How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More

Organize Your Desk ? Live Longer!

It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More

A Simple Effective Tool To Get And Stay Organized

Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More

Get Rid Of The Clutter

You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More

How Much Is Your Time Worth?

Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More

Kids Clutter: Organizing at Every Age

Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More

10 Simple Ways to Clear Clutter from Your Home and Office

There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More

The Psychology of Being Organized

Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More

The Natural Law of Attrition

I'm cheap and proud of it.I use and re-use things... Read More

Be More Productive at Work: Avoid These Eight Traps

Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More

Essential Tips for the Kitchen

* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More

Organization Tips - How To Get Things Done

What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More

Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter

Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More