Spring not only brings new life and the promise of nature’s bounty, it also carries with it the annual task of spring-cleaning. As spring begins, people everywhere will clean out closets, pack up outgrown toys, and organize their garages and other spaces. But the savvy entrepreneur should also consider de-cluttering their mind.
Entrepreneurs, in particular, tend constantly to think about the state of their businesses and keep a running internal dialogue going, full of new ideas and strategies. While these mental notes and activities are important for regular creative stimulation, spring is the perfect time to de-clutter the mind of those bits and pieces that hold little potential for future value.
You can get a great start by consciously looking at each day with a fresh spring-cleaning mindset, which ultimately should become an on-going process that continues all year round and into the next.
You need to work on your habits, continuously refresh your perspective, and innovatively renew yourself – think: 360-degree pattern.
Tips for decluttering your entrepreneurial mind, using a spring-cleaning attitude year round:
- Remember that you’re not in this world alone. Your decisions affect countless others, as theirs do too. Don’t make everything center around you. When working on a project, integrate your team and make each member feel important. You don’t have to do everything on your own. Collaborate, share, respect, grow and learn. When I’m doing my mental spring-cleaning, I always remember that it’s not just me in this Universe; it’s a big world, and everyone has a story.
If you think only of yourself and forget about others, ultimately you will lose. That is also something like a law of nature. — Dalai Lama
- Evaluate your expectations and your perceptions of people around you. This is essential for the business professional. Continually reevaluate your point of view, guarding against a stale mindset. Look for the benefits present in every situation. While a project or idea may not move along the way you’d hoped, remember that the dots may connect for the best down the line.
Life just seems so full of connections. Most of the time we don’t even pay attention to the depth of life. We only see flat surfaces. — Colin Neenan
- Focus on the positives of each day – every day. When a negative voice visits, ask yourself, how can we benefit from this situation? You can learn a lot about yourself by asking and answering this simple question. And it can make for fascinating blog content.
Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thoughts, and habits can be acquired. An action repeated becomes an attitude realized. — Paul Myer
- Break bad habits. Take a look at your daily routine and find the things that you do that you would be better off without. Turn your experience with breaking your bad habits into a winning situation for you and others by sharing it with the world. Form new, good habits for others to look to as an example for themselves.
We build our character from the bricks of habit we pile up day by day. — Zig Ziglar
It’s also beneficial to unplug and enjoy nature on a regular basis. Go for a walk to refresh your energy, de-clutter your mind, and recharge. Adding a bit of nature to every day will do the trick for you in all seasons – not just spring.
Lastly, but most importantly, take care of you! Do something each day for yourself – something that brings you joy – so you’ll consistently exude positive energy to share with the world around you.
Featured in More.com, March on-line issue: Spring Cleaning for Your Mind
Photography by Ann Tran
Sometimes I do my best when I just have to push everything to the side and start over. I think the hard part is being successful then trying to do more than you can… the habit of consistency is what I strive for.
Thank Ann – great article & so true that we need that innovation, upliftment & spring cleaning 🙂
Hello Abhishek,
Recharge and renew right ツ Thank you for stopping by.
Best,
Ann
I have been watching you. You are an inspiration; I started over when I was sixty … already I feel the need to de-clutter but this time I will not rush or be so aggressive. Time is now more precious. I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Helen,
Life is precious, so enjoy the beautiful things. Thank you for sharing.
Ann
Super article! 360 degrees and depth of perception really resonated with me. Thanks so much!
“habits of thought” Truly we develop those positive and encouraging habit with practice. Taking the focus off ourselves and projecting the positives onto our team. This is really a great blog for “life lessons” not just spring cleaning. Heart cleaning all year long. Thx, Elizabeth
Spring cleaning is essential to bringing in the new happy energy! I enjoyed reading this post. You are doing so well.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing.
Ann
Ann, I love this post…
Funny and appropriate that I read it this morning in the midst of my office cleanout… surrounded by boxes, trash and recycling bags.. the “physical” cleanout that is long overdue…
But your post supports the “mental” cleaning that, indeed, should be a daily process. It’s sometimes hard to remember that. Your post gives me encouragement and a sense of belonging as it shows that no matter how different our businesses or personal lives may be, everyone goes through the same mental challenges.
Thanks for writing such an insightful piece.
Trace
I like the concept of Spring cleaning your mind! The Spring sunshine triggers such a hive of activity throughout nature…
Hi Sarah,
Cheers to my nature friend.ツ
❤Ann
Ann,
Exactly what I needed. So good that it’s printed and on my office door as a reminder. I will be looking for ways to keep these tips fresh in my mind throughout the season.
Playful blessings,
Stan (aka @muz4now)
Hi Stan,
Awe, thank you so much Stan. ツ Blessings to you.
Ann
Awesome advice Ann. I definitely need this!! =))
This made me think.
It’s amazing what letting the sunlight’ in can do for me. Around my house, yes, but also around my mind. It shows where old ideas are gathering dust, where webs have formed over forgotten plans, where projects have ‘died’ through lack of water.
Sometimes what we’re looking for is there all the time, we just don’t see it because it’s covered in the dust of winter.
Soon we’ll have lighter evenings! Who knows what new things that will bring!
Hi Linda,
Adding a bit of nature to every day will do the trick for you in all seasons – not just spring. Thank you for sharing ツ
❤ Ann
Sound advice Ann both for business and life in general. It’s so easy to get sucked into a negative cycle and your wise words remind us of how to break out and move forward positively 🙂
Hi Tony,
Yes, try to Focus on the positive every day. ツ Thank you for sharing.
Ann
Another great and timely post Ann. The tips are very beneficial on a personal level, as well as entrepreneurial.
Hi Judy,
Always great to see YOU! I am glad that this post helped you. ツ
❤ Ann
Having a chance to start over in a way is the best thing. And the refresh can surely feel like a new beginning.
What is the best though, is the new objective look on things that we are adopting by just doing things in a different fashion. I always love planning those new starts, and initiating the refresh. Great article 🙂
Thank you for sharing. ツ
Ann