Last weekend in the UK we put our clocks back by one hour.

This marks the end of British Summer Time and the onset of winter. The leaves are dropping from the trees including the large sycamore tree at the front of the house.

At this time each year at the weekend I spend some time picking up the masses of leaves that have accumulated so we are able to see the lawn and driveway again!

Whilst I was doing this last week I was listening to the radio through ear pieces. The let it go song by Idina Menzel from the film Frozen came on and it made me smile. I thought to myself the trees have certainly let lots of leaves go in the preceding week!

It also got me thinking that we can learn a lot from the natural cycles of nature and how we all benefit sometimes by spending time occasionally to remove clutter and let go of what is no longer needed.

In doing this we make space for new growth and opportunity. I personally find it easier to work, complete tasks and create materials in a clutter free environment.

Letting go of historic papers, magazines, books and things I no longer use helps creates space, brings clarity and just generally freshens up the environment.

The Oxford dictionary defines clutter as “a crowded and untidy collection of things.” That is certainly part of it.

For me clutter relates to things that are no longer used or needed, disorganised and untidy stuff, too many things crammed into a small space and anything that is unfinished and incomplete.

We can also have mental clutter, having too much on our minds, feeling overwhelmed and generally spending too much time in our heads.

When decluttering, after filing or boxing up things that are to be kept and stored, I find it useful to put the physical clutter that I am getting rid of into various boxes/piles:-

  • Things to be thrown away or sent for recycling
  • Paperwork to be shredded
  • Items to give to others or charity
  • Possessions to be sold
  • Articles that need to be repaired

Frequently, as part of coaching programmes, I encourage clients to spend some time and focus on decluttering their mind and simplifying their thinking to bring greater clarity. I call this process of getting rid of unwanted thinking and habits “moving from clutter to clarity.” It ties in with one of my favourite quotes by Leonardo Da Vinci who said “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Clients tell me after they have been through this exercise that they feel lighter, brighter and more energised.

There is not an exhaustive list of what clients choose to let go of as we are all unique and have different life experiences. However, there are some common things that clients choose to release and let go of and these include:-

  • Procrastination – putting off until another day that which can be done straightaway. Many people look to change this habit and adopt a new mindset of “do it now.” To keep them on track and accountable they seek my or other’s help to remind them of their new habit and to encourage them to persevere.
  • Over analysis – over thinking and analysing issues. Many clients start to set specific time aside to consider issues and challenges. They literally give themselves a time limit to weigh up the facts, consider their options, the pros and cons of a situation and decide what action to take.
  • Pleasing others –putting other’s needs before our own. Many choose to address this habit by getting greater balance on their giving and receiving ratio. They put themselves and their needs first more without feeling selfish or guilty. They recognise that they need to apply their own oxygen mask before helping other people to put their mask on.
  • Comparing themselves to others –comparing our results and life to that of others. This is a tough one to tackle as we are encouraged by society to keep score. Clients tell me they feel much happier when they focus on comparing their performance and life to the goals and standards they have set for themselves rather than to other’s performance and life.
  • Self-criticism –quite often we are our biggest critic and inhibitor to growth. Whilst self-criticism can have the best of intentions it can go over the top and be really disempowering. Clients report that they feel much more content when they are kinder and gentler to themselves.

This week, why not take a few moments to think about if there is anything you need to let go of physically or mentally. What benefits would it bring you if you were to do so?

This week’s quotation:

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” Erich Fromm.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk