clutter

Are You Holding On to Something You Should Shed?

A year ago a short video on MSN captured my attention. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched it mesmerized by how seemingly effortless a crab slips completely out of the shell its body has outgrown.

I came across it again today while updating one of my websites. And, again, I wondered how much easier life would be if we humans allowed ourselves to let go of what no longer serves us … even when that shedding leaves us soft and vulnerable.

Then, after watching it again myself, I realized you might like seeing it, too. Click the image below to read my original post (on my other website) and enjoy the amazing transformation of the crab in the video.

What’s holding you back from growing into your full potential?

What are you ready to shed so you can move on?

Please share your transformation struggles and successes in the comment section below. Your experience has the power to help empower and motivate others to crack open the hard exterior that’s keeping them small and stuck.

After all, isn’t empowering others partly why we all really want to grow into our full potential?

Frugal Clutter Is Still Clutter: How to Deal With the Sh*t We Keep with guest Barbara Trapp

By Kat Sturtz Leave a Comment

Do you have trouble letting go of clutter that has recognizable value and a legitimate purpose? Yeah. Me, too. That’s frugal clutter. For most of us it’s the type of clutter that is hardest to release.

On today’s Fast Action Fridays, guest and professional organizer Barbara Trapp discusses some of the reasons why we keep it, plus shares some great tips for loosening out grip so we can finally let it go.

No need to take notes as you listen to our interview. Barbara’s free resource will prompt you with the best questions to ask that will help you decide what you’re willing to have taking up space in your home.

[Read more…]

Overwhelmed desk = overwhelmed feelings?

By Kat Sturtz 8 Comments

What does your desk environment look like?

Does it add to your feelings of overwhelm and frustration?

The answer for many people is … YES!

Yet, for many others, the state of their cluttered desks and offices just … is.

They’ve grown used to it. Or ignore it. Or choose to live with whatever negative energies it might be triggering in them.

Some claim that they need the chaos to thrive. That it, somehow, enhances their abilities, creativity, and stamina. Sort of what Samson’s hair did for him.

They revel in being productive in spite of it … or because of it.

Others fear what they may lose if their areas were cleaned with junk and obsolete notes and files discarded, and organization imposed on the useful items remaining.

A solid foot in both camps

Personally, I’m guilty of not always doing what I preach. I LOVE working in a clean and tidy environment. Yet, there are many periods throughout the year when neither my home, nor my home office, are showcases of organized brilliance and clarity.

Perhaps “guilty” is not the most accurate term to describe how I feel about the often messy state of my environment. I only sense guilt when a particular mess creates negative energy that manifests in feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

Yet, sometimes certain messes, which might look to others to be an overwhelming disaster in the making, produce a sense of pride and achievement in the making. Such as when I’m waist deep in organizing buckets of notes and reference items that are all part of a project that’s finally moved from idea to a bonafide work-in-progress.

Ah, yes!

Now there’s a mess I can embrace and live within for an extended period of time!

Your messes — your feelings

Not surprisingly, one of the first things many of my clients want help with is tackling the overwhelm and chaos of their environments. They yearn for clarity yet are fearful of what organization and tidiness might do to their innate creativity and resourcefulness. They often most fear their assumed inability to keep things clean and tidy once they commit to change.

Many question their sanity in even thinking about an attempt to bring order to the chaos.

After all, there are often others to blame for the state of the clutter and chaos. Right? Hmmmm.

Productivity and success with a heathly dose of clutter on the side

In my world, you aren’t likely to succeed without some disorganization and clutter along the path from time to time. Recognizing messes for what they are and are not is an important factor in your journey to success.

Perhaps it’s time to take an in-depth look at how you can be productive in spite of … or because of … the messes cluttering your environment.

In the meantime, take a look at the state of the work environments of some other famous and not-so-famous folks by clicking HERE. That link will take you to an article on LinkedIn – Where I Work featuring 50+ Places Where Great Ideas Are Born.

I invite you to share your own experiences … and the various clean / messy states of your own work environments in the comment section below. It’s a wonderful way to get and give encouragement and support to each other.