Do you have a room that overwhelms you? Perhaps just walking into it makes you want to walk right back out of it? Sometimes people think that if they just knew where to start, the project could actually progress. And, when I get asked where to start in a room like this, I usually say, “Start with your why.” There are a lot of reasons why a room gets cluttered and a lot of reasons why change needs to happen. Knowing your “why” can be great motivation for goal setting and keeping a project on track.
But, what if I was to tell you that there is another way?
It takes just a few minutes, it’s very simple, and best of all, it works every time. To start, all you need to do is go into the room that you want to work on. If possible, kneel or sit on the floor in the center of the room and close your eyes. Silently reflect on positive moments that you have experienced in this space. Then breathe in a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Next, think about how you want the space to look and feel. Imagine the space as clean and vibrant. Again, breathe in a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Then silently, and in your own way, let the space know that you honor it and you are grateful for the protection and comfort it provides you. Breathe in and out, and then slowly open your eyes and look around the space.
What do you see?
For me, when I open my eyes I see very clearly what has to be done. Tasks jump out at me — this needs to be done, that needs to be done, this needs to be taken here and there, and on and on.
I believe this technique works because once you have taken the time to quiet the inner chatter, you can then tune into your intuition. You start doing what needs to be done instead of thinking about what needs to be done. Through the meditation you approach the project in a different way. Instead of feeling obligation to get the room cleaned up, you flipped your thinking and are now working from a sense of gratitude, which can be much more motivational.