I had to share. This strategy always gets me unstuck. Thank you Ali for the great article on a topic that applies to us all. Hope you will make space for all the good stuff to come into your world. If you need some help and hand-holding clearing your clutter, give me call. Sometime you need nonjudgmental support. I will be there for you.
-Kristine
804-744-7645
“To Attract the New and Better, Purge the Old and Stagnant” by Ali Brown
Posted on April 12, 2012 by Ali Brown
Whenever I’m feeling stuck and want to attract new and better ideas or opportunities, I clean out my file cabinet.
Yes. That’s one big secret!
I clean out my file cabinet.
Can’t explain exactly how it works, but it does.
Just last week, I wanted to get back to working on my book, but was
feeling totally resistant. It told myself at least I would pull out the
file to work on later, so it would be in my face on my desk all day.
When I opened my file drawer in my desk and started digging, it hit me.
There were papers, records, and notes in there from abandoned projects,
persons I no longer worked with, old clients, an unpleasant legal
matter, and even a crazy ex-fiancé!
In order for me to mine for the gems, I had to trudge through all my old sh*t.
I had to WORK to find the good stuff. Hmmm.
Not good! Physically or energetically.
Time to shout “Clear the decks!” and line up the Hefty bags.
It was time to
create space for exciting new
projects, amazing new clients, and titillating new opportunities in my
LIFE, so it was surely time to at least create them in my DRAWER!
To attract the new and better, you have to purge the old. From
Aristotle and Einstein way back when, to physicists today, both
scientists and philosophers agree that (at least here on Earth) nature
abhors a vacuum.
Meaning, when you create space, the Universe will gladly fill it up for you, with what your intentions are set on.
The problem is if you don’t have space, nothing new can come in.
So, I don’t care how busy you are. If you are feeling a bit stuck,
you’ve got to clear away some of that old energy and make ROOM for the
new.
This principle applies to everything in your life—from files to
relationships—but today let’s focus on your office and workspace.
Here are my BIG 3 areas I have clients attack right away:
1.
Your Files — I bet most of the stuff in there you
can honestly trash right now. If there are records you absolutely
should keep, get them out of your workspace and into neatly organized
boxes that are stored elsewhere. (I used to rent a small storage unit,
and then I had nice cabinets installed in my garage.)
Then organize what you DO need and want on hand in beautiful colored
file folders that are nicely labeled. (I’m a huge fan of the P-Touch
labeler!) And here’s the BIG secret: Create files not only for the
business you have now, but especially for the business you want to
create! Have sections that draw attention to exciting new projects or
opportunities or business. For example, if you dream of working with
high-paying clientele, create a folder that says “$10,000 Clients”.
Because I want to focus on my book, my book project is right up front in
a beautiful file folder.
2.
Books — Some guys in the industry I know brag
about how big their home libraries are. I’m not a fan of keeping
hundreds of books around to clutter my office and home. Blech. Very
stagnant energy.
I suggest you only keep books on hand that you:
1. are currently reading
2. that you LOVE (not just like) and want to have around forever
3. refer to regularly.
Otherwise keep a bin in your office handy to toss books into as you
are done with them. They are then passed on to a friend or client, or
donated to a local library or school.
And guess what? If you ever miss a book you gave away or you need it
again, you can get it. In all my years of purging, this has only been
necessary about three times. Puts it in perspective.
3.
Photos & Mementos — An old acquaintance of
mine had dozens of shelves in her home that prominently featured her
work with past clients. Problem was, I came to learn at least three of
these clients either were suing her or had tried to sue her. (Why she
was attracting this was another story.) What terrible energy to have
photos, mementos, and work related to these toxic relationships in front
of her
every single day!
There was one point a few years ago I looked around my office and
realized there were photos of people I didn’t associate with anymore. I
had some great digital snapshots of my best friends and some recent
amazing experiences on my computer, but they weren’t around me at my
desk. So I just went into Walgreens one day and had the best ones
printed and picked up some nice frames for them. Now as I look around my
office, I’m surrounded by friends old and new who I love and make me
happy to look at.
Warning: Be Ready for “Energy Eruptions”!
There was one particular purging day I remember from years ago. I was
getting rid of so much stuff that represented the OLD me—there must
have been at least 10 trash bags going out the door—and it brought up a
lot of weird feelings. I was throwing out many mementos from my failed
marriage and also early business ventures from when I was very unsure of
myself, including some projects that had gone sour.
Later that day, I not only felt exhausted, but
devastated,
like I’d been knocked down by a truck! I cried for hours and felt a bit
nauseous as well. (Almost as if I was going to chuck up some internal
files of my own!)
Whether conscious or not, know that purging your environment
physically will also bring up anything that needs to come up
energetically. Be gentle on yourself and make sure you have some time to
rest afterwards.
Just know that when you wake up the next day, you’ll feel amazing
walking into your home office set up for the NEW you! And something
magical will happen from it—I promise. I’ve had clients attract new
opportunities, clients, or the exact idea they needed
as soon as the very next day.
So schedule a PURGE this week or weekend. You’ll thank me later!
Would love to hear your comments and ideas below. Please contribute…
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© 2012 Ali International, LLC
“Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the
world how to start and grow a profitable business that make a positive
impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” at www.AliBrown.com“