One thing I think is very important in life is having loads of ENERGY.
I think we can all agree on that.
Which means, I am actively on the lookout for things that drain us of energy or cause us to have energy “leaks“.
Imagine if we start the day with 100% of energy credits.
But we “leak” 5% here.
And we “leak” 12% there.
Plus, we unknowingly “drain” 9% of energy in another place.
Essential that means – before we even get started in the day – we are only at 74% of our true energy potential.
So, it makes sense to plug leaks wherever we can.
The book I wrote called “18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be” is the perfect resource to identify where you might be leaking energy, spending too much energy, or getting a lower ROI from the energy you are spending.
In the book – which I wrote a couple of years ago – I did not include the energy leak we are focusing on today.
And as often happens, this leak was highlighted by a recent conversation with a Coaching client.
So this article is dedicated to JB.
Hopefully we can learn from their “mistakes”.
Here we go.
The Mechanics
If you have been with me awhile (thanks :)), you will be aware of my focus on the architecture and optimum functionality of the Mind.
I generally use the Triune Brain Model, which talks about a lower brain (cerebellum and spinal cord), mid brain (limbic brain) and upper brain (cortex).
The mid and lower brain are primarily (generally speaking) about SURVIVAL, and the upper brain is generally about figuring more COMPLEX things out through Imagineering, creativity and critical thinking.
The “habit” we are focused on today, primarily activates the lower and middle brain (i.e. survival).
Which means LESS creativity, ingenuity, discernment, contextualization, solution-finding and critical thinking.
NOT cool.
The habit I am talking about is messiness, or disorganization, or in its physical expression – CLUTTER!
Eeewwwwww.
The reason clutter causes us to lose energy, and to put it very bluntly, make us less smart (aka: dumber), is because of the survival part of the brain.
When a physical space is messy – full of clutter – the survival parts of our brain go on high alert.
Which means they draw more energy, blood and oxygen, to the mid and lower brain, and away from the upper mind.
Because when we are in a cluttered space the primitive part of our brain is trying to identify potential hiding spots for threats.
Like snakes, scorpions, or poisonous spiders; or if the clutter is much greater, it could even (to the primitive mind), be the hiding spot for a larger predator.
Have you ever noticed your energy feeling “off” when you go into a messy and cluttered space?
Something does not feel right.
You can’t relax.
Your Spidey sensors are activated.
That is your brain going hyper-vigilant.
A big part of the Japanese Feng Shui principles, about the harmonious energy of a space, is about orderliness and being CLUTTER-FREE.
It feels good, because the brain is more relaxed, and you experience a thing called Peace and Calm.
The perfect place for conservation of energy.
Conserving energy, so you can use it on the most important stuff and not just waste it.
So…
How do you score?
How free from clutter are your work spaces (where you need creativity to thrive professionally)?
How much clutter do you have in your house that makes you feel “off” (or unsettled, stressed, edgy, etc.)?
How easy is it to truly relax in your home or office?
Time to acknowledge the waste and do something about it.
A few TIPS on dealing with Clutter
Quite often the reason why we do something – even if we consciously know it is not a good thing – is because there is some SUBCONCIOUS gain to doing the thing.
We need to understand if there are any perceived “benefits” regardless of how silly that sounds.
We also need to understand if we have any “stories” or excuses we tell ourselves, which justify our disorganization or clutter.
When you understand your deeper “why’s”, it is often easier to come up with a solution.
It is no good doing a major clutter clean up, if you don’t have a strategy in place to support it moving forward.
You might need to work on a Habit change, plus a Mindset change.
E.g. Create an empowering belief or mantra that associates huge pain with not getting organized, and huge pleasure with getting organized (do my free Belief Switch workshop for help).
I am a big fan of SCHEDULING on my calendar things like an “Admin Hour”, so I create the space and commitment to stay organized.
I would also recommend reading the book by BJ Fogg called “Tiny Habits“.
Other Tips are:
- Find an accountability partner.
- Incorporate high-quality rewards for yourself if you meet being-organized milestones.
- Read a book on de-cluttering.
- Enlist a professional to help (ensuring you have a practical and attainable strategy for the future).
- Find a friend who LOVES to declutter and organize stuff.
- Use child labour (i.e. children, your own preferably).
This stuff – clutter and being disorganized – costs you a LOT of leaked energy and stops you from reaching your full potential.
It also robs you of PEACE and CALM.
In its place leaving you STRESSED.
In Summary
Most people don’t realise the REAL cost to their life in lost energy and potential, by too much “clutter” and general messiness.
Clutter and messiness jack’s the mind and activates the nervous system (and stress response).
Clutter reduces creativity, ingenuity, solution-finding, critical thinking and discernment.
A clear and organised space feels SOOOOOO GOOD! (aka: Bliss)
My Parting Words
The client I worked with recently, who inspired this topic, was not only way off their full potential.
They were stressed.
Which affected their ability to experience joy, peace and calm more often.
The thing for me is that clearing clutter is actually something we have a high measure of control over.
It does not matter what political party is in power.
Or whether the economy is total sh#t.
Keeping your personal space tidy, organized and free of clutter is something we all have control of (acknowledging the complexity of adding “kids” (the big ones and the small ones ;-)) into the equation).
But it is doable.
And, it does make a HUGE difference to your well-being and vitality.
So, what do you need to declutter?
What in your cupboards or garage needs to find a better home?
What are not really using, but is taking up space – physically and energetically?
There is a reason the “minimalist” movement has survived for a couple of 1000 years – starting with the Greek Stoics.
It feels good.
The relaxing kind of feel good.
I want that for you.
So you can actually tap into your FULL potential.
In today’s crazy world, we need a full tank of energy to navigate it with grace.
Here’s to you having fun with that.
So, have a peaceful and calm day, and a week getting clear on what NEEDS TO GO.
Quotable QUOTE:
“Most people don’t realise the REAL cost to their life in lost energy and potential, by too much “clutter” and general messiness.“Carl Massy
(Author of 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be)
PS: Have you read or listened to this book yet? 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be
