Recently, I spent the better part of a morning helping a business owner organize her office.
She had a bit stuff over here, a bit of stuff over there. Some papers over here, some papers over there.
And office supplies – well, let’s just say she had more than she thought once we piled everything together. Tons of pens, stacks of folders, and boxes of hanging files.
“I didn’t know I had so much!” she exclaimed breathlessly.
Putting “like with like” all in one place brings enormous clarity.
It also helps you see what you need – and what you don’t.
I give you permission to simplify – it’s the best advice I can give business owners who are overwhelmed, overstuffed with stuff, overscheduled, overbooked, and overstressed.
“Angie, how do I do that?” you might ask.
I always say the first step towards simplifying is to know where you are right now. Know where you are in relation to your:
- Responsibilities
- Agreements
- Finances
- Tasks and To Do’s
- Appointments
- Commitments
- Communications
- Clients/Customers
- Stuff
- note: many of these apply to your personal life as well
Starting from there shows you scope and scale. Helps you get your arms around things. Shows you visually what the deal is.
Just like the business owner I mentioned above, being able to take a 30,000 foot look clarifies a lot.