7 Questions to Declutter Your Day
The unexamined life collapses into trivialities.
Declutter your day before distraction defines you.
Every sunrise is your opportunity to declutter and begin again.
7 questions to declutter your day:
- What matters most today?
Record one meaningful thing you will do today – beyond pressing issues and deadlines. - What will you not do today so you can do what matters most?
Look for something ‘less good’ to take out of your basket. You are busy doing ‘good’ things. When a good thing blocks what matters most, it’s a bad thing. - What could you do today that gives you a sense of personal satisfaction?
Imagine saying, “I feel really good that I did ___________ today.” Go do that. - How will you energize others?
Low energy people drain your vitality. Don’t do their work. Energize them to do their own. - How are you sabotaging your fulfillment, progress, or success?
Reflect on destructive attitudes that might pop your balloon. The way you see life determines the way you feel about life. - What behaviors reflect the life you admire?
Do things you admire. Think about a person you admire. Don’t think about what they have. Think about what they did. What’s one thing you can do today that bolsters your self-respect? - How will you start fresh with people and projects?
People fail until they begin again.
Clear endings enable new beginnings. Work on a project until you reach a good stopping point. Set it aside. Take a quick walk. Get coffee. Do something that signals an ending. Now go begin the next thing.
Tip: Several of the above questions stand alone. Questions one and two go hand in hand. Question three, for example, can stand on its own.
Which of the above question(s) will help you declutter your day today?
What suggestions do you have for eliminating clutter in your day?
Still curious:
7 Ways to Break Destructive Patterns
How the Power of Focus Protects You
Today’s post was just what I needed! Thanks.
That’s great. Thanks for letting me know.
My question for the day is 7)How will you start fresh with people and projects? I have some long meetings today. I am going to put a ‘stop and reset’ after these, so that I can give each activity my full attention. I can let the meeting leads know that I need to leave before the top of the hour.
You make an important point. In order to give our full attention to the next thing we have to let go of the last thing. It’s a simple practice, but often neglected. Here’s to a little less clutter.
BTW… I’m a fan of 50 minute hours.
Great post! Shared it with colleagues who can get caught in the weeds of the doing instead of the leading! Thanks as always for your clarity and thoughtfulness!
Thanks 88. I think getting lost in the weeds in normal. Seeing the big picture requires intention. It’s helpful when someone reminds us to lift our heads and look around and remember why we do what we do.
Good questions. The top I ask myself each day:
1. What’s my number one top priority?
2. What can I delegate?
Adding, what can I delegate is brilliant. Such a great way to declutter. When there are too many good things to do, give some of them to others.
Spot on! I am a big fan of the Table Group’s stuff and the administrator’s constant battle with “monkey mind.”
Love the expression, “monkey mind.” Thanks for adding it.
How are you sabotaging your fulfillment, progress, or success? For me this can be most impactful. It’s as simple as the drive in and how my attitude toward other drivers can set me into a dysfunctional mindset of being frustrated when I arrive. I do a decent job of compartmentalizing this now, but I am certain it is not the best for me and then in turn others.
Very practical, WP. I so appreciate simple actionable behaviors.