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Take Small Steps towards healthier changes
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So Many Interests
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October 2009
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Aloha,
An active mind is a common cause of clutter and overwhelm: A passion for learning, a wide variety of interests & hobbies, lots of great ideas, and overflowing creativity.
Because you still want to live and enjoy your life but not be buried in paper, information, materials, and regrets, the answer is not to change who you are but to establish boundaries and rules.
Just thinking of this topic got the ideas flowing and I had a desire to write a chapter or maybe even a book on the subject. Instead I went back to the boundary I established from the beginning. Keep this newsletter as short and sweet as possible.
So here are some things to think about and maybe try.
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Boundaries & Rules
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Boundaries
Establish and enforce physical boundaries to confine and control the information and materials associated with your interests. Examples: - Use a basket or container to provide a boundary and a visual indicator. When the magazine basket overflows, it's time to clear it out.
- Use the file folder as the boundary. When it begins to look overstuffed, clean it out. Don't wait until you can't add another piece of paper.
- Establish clutter free zones. If you need your desk clear for work or your table for eating, make those boundaries a priority for everyone.
Set general rules for allowing things in or letting stuff go. Examples: - Bringing Things Home?
- If you go to a home show or fair where you collect informative brochures, establish a "Read By" date. If you haven't read it by then, it goes -- no questions or doubts, it's out.
- If there is a book you want to read, first see if it's available through your library. If it's absolutely something you want to bring home and will refer to often, then you can buy your own copy otherwise borrow it.
- Bringing home a new hobby? Establish where you'll do it and where you'll store it. And clear the time in your schedule to enjoy the hobby.
- Letting Stuff Go.
- If you haven't read it yet, use the Rule of 3 to decide when to let it go. The news in a daily newspapers is old after 3 days. A weekly is old after 3 weeks. A monthly magazine is old after 3 months. (Excuse me while I go check my magazines :).
- If you bring one item in (clothes, books, toys, hobbies, etc.) let one thing go. (1 for 1 is called maintenance, 1 for 2 items is progress.)
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Now, Later and Next Year
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Rotate your interests
When you have lots of interests and hobbies that you don't have time to work on now but you aren't ready to let them go, sort them into Now, Later and Next Year.
The items in the Now group are interests that you have time for right now. Please be realistic and make the space in your schedule to enjoy them. The Later pile is for those things that you may want to play with in 6 months or so. This is great for seasonal sports & hobbies. Pack them up and store them. The remainder are for Next Year or 12 months out. Box these up also for storage.
Play with and work on those interests that are in the Now category, keeping only as many as you honestly have time for. Anytime you want, you can bring in one from the Later or the Next Year category, just remember to rotate an equal number out from the Now pile (unless, of course, your schedule miraculously opens up and you have more time to focus on more things).
P.S. Label all containers with the current date. If 3 years from now you still haven't rotated an interest into the Now, then maybe it isn't a priority and you can let it go.
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IDEA Box --
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Idea Box
When you come across a great article, idea, possibility or opportunity that interests you, but you know you're not ready to act on it yet, use your IDEA box.
Try creating an Idea Box. Check out Tips & Tricks, September 2007 for details.
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| Additional Resource |
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Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams
by Barbara Sher by Rodale Books
Paperback ~ Release Date: 2007-03-06
List Price:
$15.95
Our Price:
$10.85
Buy Now
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Whether you read it, file it or toss it, take time to enjoy the journey.
Sincerely,
Shawndra
808.969.3800
www.dhucks.com
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