Meditation is a way to de-clutter your mind of thoughts, however there’s a lot of other, practical de-cluttering you can do to improve your network marketing Internet business.
Doing so will help you to make space to let in new and improved circumstances. You’ll also enjoy far greater clarity which will allow you to make better decisions.
A cluttered business environment, especially unfinished work, training courses, emails/calls and projects can negatively affect your life experience.
Everything carries its own vibration and because you develop a vibrational relationship with everything in your life, this can have an impact on the way you feel and on your point of attraction.
If you feel disorganized or that you always have unfinished lists, this can lead to an ongoing low level of stress, tension and anxiety which in turn can impede your ability to feel good about what you’re doing.
Feeling good about what you do is what allows the energy to flow so you can attract more of what you want.
Most of us encounter two obstacles when it comes to de-cluttering:
- if we throw something away and then we did in fact need it, we become reluctant to throw anything away in the future,
- secondly we are usually put off by the sheer thought of the time and effort it it will take to manage this process.
The Solution?
Here is a simple process that is quick and effective. Whatever you are de-cluttering, examine the item and ask yourself:
Is this necessary to my immediate experience?
If not store it in a holding area. This might be a physical box if an actual item or it may be a folder on your computer if you are de-cluttering files for instance.
Make sure you use an appropriate indexing system for the holding area so that if you need to find something in the future you’ll be able to do so.
This simple process allows you to work quickly because you’re only answering a simple question about whether you need it now or not and you will be able to answer this immediately.
You’ll also not feel worried that you are throwing something out that you might need because you are not throwing anything away, yet.
Find a place to keep all that which you have decided is not essential to your experience now. This might be the garage if physical items or it may be an archive folder on your computer in the case of computer files.
Every six to twelve months or using a time frame that works for you, go through your holding area items and if you have not needed to use some of these in this time, then there is a better then good chance you never will so you can give these away to others or throw them out if appropriate.
What often happens when you use this system is that once you put something into a holding area of some kind, it’s rarely something you will use again.
When it comes to business you may want to consider de-cluttering the following areas – emails, email lists you belong to, computer files, bookmarked sites, paperwork, training notes, your work desk/area etc.
Releasing “things” in our lives that we no longer need allows us the space to work more effectively and efficiently so we can move on to new things.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about de-cluttering so please leave me a comment and please also share this with others who might find it useful too. Thank you.
Be Happy!
PS: In my next post I’ll show you exactly how I applied this process to emails which put an end to my feeling overwhelmed about these for good!
Image: on Flickr by Jose C Silva
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Great post Marcus I utilize this same system myself thanks for sharing..
wadell jones recently posted..Attraction Marketing Is The Total Opposite
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Hi Wadell,
Then you’ll understand the benefit of following this system firsthand!
~Marcus
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Hey Marcus,
How valuable is this post! If you see how clutter my desk looks right now.
I know that is so true that having a nice clean desk provides a lot more energy. Thanks for reminding me of that! I get so wrapped up on my daily task that I tend to ignore it.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia recently posted..Are You Ready To Use Your Copywriting Skills
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Hey Josh,
It’s amazing how quickly clutter can build so I am sure you are not alone with that “busy desk” of yours!!
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Super new design! Clean and focused…well done
I like your idea of a holding area; as you mention when going back to your holding area at certain time intervals most if not all items will be tossed out or offered to someone who might find use of them.
Releasing worn out things makes room for better things. I am huge on this practice. Most visitors think my home is a museum
I learned a while back that order is heaven’s first law and by maintaining an orderly environment mentally and physically life is more enjoyable for me.
Thanks for sharing your insight and have a powerful day!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..A New Way to Comment- Get on the Clock!
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the feedback re the new theme. I am still playing around with it a little but it will stay simple.
“I learned a while back that order is heaven’s first law and by maintaining an orderly environment mentally and physically life is more enjoyable for me.” – loved this line Ryan. I feel the same way.
~Marcus
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Hey Marcus…
Love the new design. Very slick and clean!
Just like Ryan, I especially like the idea of the ‘holding area’. eliminating the ‘absoluteness’ of the decision to remove something from your immediate working area makes it a lot easier to keep your workspace clear without having to let go of something completely before you’re ready.
Simple systems like this can have a dramatic effect on our productivity, by helping us spend energy efficiently on the areas it’s needed, rather than getting bogged down ‘stuff’…
Thanks for another great post!
Jym
Jym recently posted..Which MLM Opportunity… Does It Really Matter
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Hey Jym,
Thanks for the theme feedback – I appreciate it.
Devising systems around how we function as human beings rather than going against our nature makes a lot of sense to me and the “holding area” is a prime example of how I have made this work for me.
Thanks for leaving a valuable comment.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
I use a very similar system and it’s the only way I maintain my sanity at times!
Thanks for your insightful post…and I love the new theme as well.
Cheers,
Karen
Karen Newman recently posted..Creating a Plan for Your Online Business
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Hi Karen,
I am pleased to hear that a similar system works for you too. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed. Thanks for the new theme feedback – much appreciated!
~Marcus
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Wonderful post, Marcus!
I have been a big fan of David Allen’s Getting Things Done (book). His system is all about getting everything out of your mind – onto paper or a list or a file – or throw it out.
He has a “2-minute rule” – if you can handle and process something in 2 minutes or less, then DO IT right now. (like an email response, a quick call, etc)
My favorite book right now is Raymond Holliwell’s “Working With The Law”. One of the laws, the law of non-resistance will work all sorts of peace and harmony in your life – another awesome way to reduce “clutter”!
Peace, my friend!
Stephen
Stephen Bolin recently posted..The Surprising Truth About Cold Calling
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Hi Stephen,
I always know I can rely on you to recommend some uber useful books and once again I am off to find those you mentioned. Thank you.
I especially like that “2 min rule” – I will have to remember that one…
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus!
LOVE the new look!
Fantastically decluttered!
I’ve been decluttering my home for a while and it always feels so good to walk into a room or open a drawer and not be overwhelmed by junk.
I think sometimes we hang on to things out of scarcity thinking. I had a bin of clothing from my youngest daughter that she had outgrown. I was planning on ebay-ing it because I would make a few bucks, but I haven’t gotten around to it for months and months. I decided to bless someone else with it by giving it to good will. Really, would the few bucks make a difference for me? Not likely. It would probably get absorbed into the checkbook and not be felt, but by giving it away to someone else, I might really make a difference for them.
I do struggle sometimes by giving away things I wished I had kept, but I realize that my needs are always met somehow. And I find that by giving it away and going out to get it again, I’m much more appreciative of it, and I usually can get higher quality than I had in the past so I feel like I’ve upgraded, which is an abundant feeling.
I struggle with clutter building up in places and then becoming blind to it, until I see it through the lens of a camera while taking pictures of the kids, or in my case on my blog, when I saw it through the eyes of Ana Hoffman.
I think a good decluttering now and again, is like a cleanse in our life. Something we should probably do monthly, or at the very least quarterly.
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing it!
Heather C Stephens recently posted..My MLM Blog SEO Audit by Ana Hoffman and My Profectionism
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Hi Heather,
Always love reading your thoughtful comments.
Thank you for the new theme feedback. I think ‘de-cluttering’ has become a way of life for me in so many areas after the meditation retreat. Feels so wonderful…
Well done on giving the clothes away as you did. I have done what you did too…. think of making a few extra bucks but like you say is it really worth it and at the end of the day it feels good to give things away too.
I think we all fall “victim” to clutter so if we can be reminded every now and then to do a ‘clean out’ it’s of great benefit.
~Marcus
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Marcus, awesome valid post. I was forced to clean up my computer files a couple of weeks ago due to a computer issue, which meant backing up all my files. I quickly realized how many useless files I had been holding onto and ended up deleting at least 75% of them.
The result is that I am using files I had forgotten about, and I am much more efficient with other things.
I agree that this rings true with physical items too… nothing worse than spending the day looking for things under things.. which I have done on more than one occasion!
Jayne recently posted..Network MarketingThe Meaning & Benefits
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Hi Jayne,
Lovely to have you visit and comment. Thank you.
Like you I have also found myself wasting so much time looking for things so it feels good to take control of this bad habit but it’s one I have to continually monitor.
~Marcus
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Decluttering wow thanks for the insights Marcus. Iv been TIDYING up little bit by bit tidying up as you talk of. Im normally a spic and span young lady but yes along me journey I know what your talking of.
Overflow of emails,,files,video – makes you feel overloaded ehoa! I remember the feeling.
I can feel your relief Marcus!!
Can’t wait for your next post!!
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Hi Maria,
I was in Auckland recently and thought of you although I have a feeling you are down country??
If we focus on relief in every area of our lives things flow so naturally as you can attest to Maria. Thanks so much for leaving your comment.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
if we assume that our outside is a reflection of our inside, a cluttered desk, unfinished tasks etc. tell a lot about our inside (vice versa too).
Your advice is therefore crucial: Unfinished tasks are like open drawers, they create a low level of stress that compounds negatively over time.
So it’s necessary to close these drawers: Either by eliminating the task, doing it or delegating it.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend recently posted..Think And Grow Rich – The Mystery Of Sex Transmutation – Lessons From Chapter 11
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Hi Oliver,
Yes that is an excellent point… what we experience on the outside is always a reflection of our inner world and vice versa.
I think your advice to deal with it in whatever way is the way to go so that it moves from the unfinished pile.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
That’s a GREAT idea! I’ll be putting a “Holding Box” on my desktop right away. I’m the type to do massive cleaning at one point – when I’m totally fed up with everything – and then I throw out everything I don’t need… at the time. Yep, that also includes stuff I’m looking for later
So your idea will save me a lot of headaches. Thanks for sharing it!
Ilka
Ilka Flood recently posted..BetterNetworker – A Network Marketing Forum Review
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Hi Ilka…
Yes I am a bit like you so this system works well for me too. Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Just submitted your post to OnlyWire and it asked me to download it. Do I need to do this and what does it do after I download it?
Thought of sending you this as a PM but then thought maybe somebody else will have the same question
Ilka Flood recently posted..BetterNetworker – A Network Marketing Forum Review
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Hi Ilka,
I had some problems with Only Wire recently so ignored it for a bit because I found their support a little lacking but it seems to be OK now again. You already use OW on your site don’t you? It used to just be a plug in but then they wanted everybody to download the automatic submitter which I did so it just allows you to submit 300 posts a month. If you wanted to post more you have to pay a subscription fee.
I hope I have answered your question Ilka but if not just shout.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Clearing off one’s mental desk can do great things for one’s level of energy and focus.
It does require a bit of discipline to learn how to do this because we are bombarded with so many messages these days that it’s natural for the mind to wander.
Personally, realising that I could only occupy my mind with one thing at a time was a great epiphany. It meant that I could control what popped into my head and just focus on what I need to.
Take care,
Wayne
Wayne Wu recently posted..What Doesn’t Duplicate in MLM and What DOES!
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:43 am
Hi Wayne,
I agree with you when one does finally understand that one’s mind can truly only focus on one thing at a time, it certainly is a liberating moment.
Thanks for your comment Wayne!
Marcus
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Hey Marcus,
I got so used to your old look, I was surprised all over again when I landed here today. I love this new look, it’s very appealing.
You just described one of my methods for keeping things as organized as a busy person can.
It works so well! You’re right, as you go through old stuff later, you find that most of it you don’t need after all.
It’s a really great way to keep things under control and goes a long way in overall productivity.
Thank you for passing it along to the world. It’s a truly great piece of advice.
Susanna
Susanna Hess recently posted..4 Sticky Video Secrets to Get More Views
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:36 am
Ha ha you made me smile with your comment about the new theme.
Great to have you confirm that the de-cluttering system works for you too.
~Marcus
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