Loving the Chaos

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Manage Clutter.

Here’s the simple change to make:

manage clutter in one small area of your life

We started with decluttering one drawer or closet. Then last week we tackled the bedroom. That challenge seemed to resonate with many of you who sent me emails or posted comments.

This week take a look around your office. Just like the bedroom, your office can hold the energy of too many commitments or unfinished projects.

I know some of you will say, “I work just fine in a cluttered office space – it’s my style.” I want to challenge you on that idea. At the very least a cluttered office wastes time as you look for things you need. At the worst it undermines your confidence and creativity.

I’m not advocating Martha Stewart perfection unless that appeals to you. Instead simply take on the challenge of clearing your desk. Keep only what you are currently working on in sight. Before you leave at the end of the day, tidy and organize your desk for the next day.

Home offices can become the magnet for all kinds of things that don’t belong there. Consider moving them back to their rightful place.

Remember one small step at a time.

Please take a minute to post a comment  and share what you are doing with the Manage Clutter challenge.

And…

You can find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted  in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Manage Clutter.

Here’s the simple change to make:

manage clutter in one small area of your life

Last week you tackled decluttering one drawer or closet.

What was that like?

Sometimes if you have a lot of decluttering to do, you can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Remember all change occurs with small steps taken consistently. You also might have felt a sense of relief or satisfaction or a little extra get-up-and-go as you completed the task. That’s just the increased energy flow you’ve created. And you might have let your inner critic grumble a bit about how you got yourself into this mess.

Managing clutter can seem like a daunting task, but the benefits are so rewarding!

This week look around your bedroom and see how much clutter there is there. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary in which you feel restored. It’s the space where you go to sleep which is a necessary activity for your physical and mental well-being.

For many people, their bedrooms are a reflection of all of their undone tasks:

laundry to be done

laundry to be put away

books waiting to be read

health and beauty products unused

exercise equipment ignored

clothing that does not fit

All of those things drain the energy in your bedroom. You also drag all of these undone things into your sleep.

This week manage the clutter in your bedroom. Focus on one thing if there are many to take care of. Then when you climb into bed, you can look around the room with a greater sense of accomplishment.

Please take a minute to post a comment  and share your clutter free journey.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Be Still.

Your challenge for the month has been to create 10 minutes of stillness in your day.

Next week we’ll add a new challenge.

What have been the benefits of creating a little quiet space in your day?

Are you tuning into things that you might otherwise have missed?

Doing a body scan is another way to be still and increase your awareness. Imagine running an invisible scanner over your body to detect areas of tension or other sensations. While there are certainly benefits to doing a more comprehensive body scan which could take 30 minutes or longer, here’s a quick activity to try:

Close your eyes. Beginning with your toes and moving up the length of your body, ask yourself, “Where am I tense?”

If you discover a tight area, contract the muscles there for a few seconds and then release. Continue moving up your body until you reach the top of your head.

Please take a minute to post a comment  and share your thoughts about being still.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted  in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Be Still.

Here’s the simple change to make:

create 10 minutes of stillness in your day

Last week you tried 5 minutes of being still, listening to your body and inner wisdom.

There were 2 questions to ask yourself during this time:

What am I aware of in this moment?

What do I need in this moment?

When we are still, we often become aware of things that we have been ignoring during our busy day – like a sense of fatigue, or stress. You might become aware of tight muscles or the weight of your commitments.

Alternatively you might also become aware of a sense of gratitude or peace. You might have a feeling of satisfaction or contentment.

When you become aware of things that are not working well, you can often also recognize what you need right now – more help, fewer obligations, more sleep or relaxation. By asking yourself what you need in the moment, you are taking the first step in being able to create it.

When you recognize that things are working well, there’s an opportunity to celebrate for a moment, and consider what contributes to your sense of satisfaction.

Please take a minute to post a comment  and share what you are discovering by being still.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted. They are located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Move More.

Your challenge for the month is to incorporate 15 minutes of physical activity into your day.

Next week we’ll add in a new challenge.

So how’s it been moving more this month?

Are you more aware of how active you are?

The whole idea behind moving more is to create an active lifestyle.

Here are some other ways that you can do that:

• take the stairs for 3 flights or less
• walk when you are going somewhere less than a mile away
• give up the remote control
• walk to your co-worker’s office rather than emailing or phoning

Its small choices made consistently that will create a more active lifestyle. Each one may not seem like that big a deal, but over time it all adds up.

Please take a minute to post a comment about this month’s move more challenge.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted. They are located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Move More.

Your challenge for the month is to incorporate 15 minutes of physical activity into your day.

Here’s an interesting study.

According to the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study, there’s a correlation between lying around watching TV and death – specifically from heart disease but also from other causes.

What’s interesting is that the researchers found that even for people at a healthy weight, sitting around makes it harder for the body to process blood sugars and fats.

So what’s that mean for you?

No matter what weight you are at, get off your butt and move more.

Please take a minute to post a comment and share your move more strategies.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted. They are located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Move More.

Here’s the simple change to make:

incorporate 15 minutes of physical activity into your day

Why would you want to move more?

First it improves your quality of life – it reduces stress, improves your mood and helps you sleep better.

Exercise reduces your risk for certain diseases including high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Many of the physical complaints have as they grow older have little to do with aging and more to do with lack of exercise. If you don’t keep your body moving, you lose flexibility, balance, stamina, strength and quite likely gain weight.

You probably fall into one of 2 categories:

• you already have a regular and consistent exercise program
• you don’t and you have excuses that include too busy/not enough time/no motivation

For anyone who is a regular exerciser, consider how you could incorporate additional fitness elements into your routine – add a little strength training or stretching.

For those of you who don’t have a regular and consistent exercise program, now’s the time to start!

The easiest way to move more?

Go for a walk.

Simply put on your running shoes and walk for 15 minutes.

Take a walk around the block and see what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

Walk your dog.

Go for a stroll after dinner.

Get some co-workers to walk during lunch hour.

Mix it up and try each of the above by doing a different walk each day.

If you are too busy to commit to a 15 minute walk each day, it’s time to re-evaluate your commitment to your health. Remember the choices you make now directly impact the quality of your life today and especially as you get older. If you don’t want to be a crotchety senior citizen, get moving now!

Of course if you have been a couch potato for a while, or are unsure about your fitness level, start slowly and consult your doctor.

AND

Congrats to Shelley Gosse of Edmonton AB who is the May 10 in 2010 draw winner. We’ll be sending Shelley some positive thinking goodies.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Think Positive.

Your challenge for the month is to do one positive thinking activity each day.

Next week we’ll add in a new challenge.

Did you know…

When you talk to yourself, you actually believe what you say.

That’s why positive self talk is so important. Most of us have internal chatter than can be quite negative. It might sound something like this:

How could I be so stupid?

Things never work out.

I knew it would be a disaster.

I’m so fat.

I can’t do this.

The problem is we carry on this negative self talk without even realizing it. The first step in replacing your negative internal chatter with something more positive is to become aware of what you are actually saying to yourself.

Start eavesdropping on yourself.

Would you make the same comments out loud?

Would you say the same things to your best friend or your children?

If the answer is no, then begin switching the negative comments with more positive ones.

Post a comment and share your positive self talk suggestions.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted  located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Think Positive.

Your challenge for the month is to do one positive thinking activity each day.

Crazy as it sounds – most people do not take all of their vacation days each year. There are all kinds of excuses for this – everything from lack of planning, to being too busy, or too indispensible at the office.

Taking your vacation days is a good way to support an optimistic outlook. When you take time off from your regular routine, you are able to recharge and restore yourself. You come back with a fresh perspective and new energy.

Here’s a simple tip.

Besides taking your regular vacation, take a 5 minute mini-vacation each day.

The quick and easy way is to visit Youtube and check out the 5 minute vacation videos. Sit back, relax, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the scenery.

You can also create your own 5 minute vacation. Think about your most relaxing or energizing vacation. Choose some photos from that experience and create a little slide show that you can watch on your computer whenever you like.

No reason why you can’t go on vacation every day!

Please take a minute to post a comment and share your mini-vacation ideas.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips posted located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.

This month’s 10 in 2010 challenge is to Think Positive.

Your challenge for the month is to do one positive thinking activity each day.

So how’s it going so far with this month’s challenge?

Sometimes it seems easier to shift our habits than it is to shift our thinking.

Did you know positive thinking is simply a habit? You can teach yourself new ways of interacting in the world. You can choose to be conscious and pro-active rather than always just reacting to what is happening around you.

This month by focusing on positive thinking activities you are bringing conscious awareness to you daily outlook.

One way you can increase your daily positivity is by hugging someone.

Studies show that hugging can decrease stress and lower blood pressure. I heard once that everyone needs 10 hugs a day to be at their optimal performance.

Apparently snuggling with your pets also counts as hugging since contact with animals also reduces stress and lowers blood pressure.

So hug someone.

Ask for a hug.

Think of hugs as alternative medicine and follow the prescription for a happier day.

Please take a minute to post a comment and share your virtual hugs with others.

Remember you can always find all of the previous 10 in 2010 tips located in the 10 in 2010 category on the right hand side.