"Why Is She Telling Us This?"

This is my last decluttering update; I have finally reached 100 hours! I started on July 10, 2008, so I don't get any points for speed. I'll take credit for persistence, though!

You may be wondering, "Why is she telling us this?" I had two reasons for tracking my progress on my blog:

• For accountability (A special thanks to my hubby, Stew, and my good friend Mary Beth for heading up the accountability squad!) I also wanted to show you how much accountability helps on a project like this or most any other type. Just be sure your accountability buddies are people who are going to be positive and supportive, especially if the project is a creative one.
• As a demonstration of how you might use a similar method to break down a big project. Through my monthly updates, I've hoped to give you a bird's-eye view of how this can be done, along with the foibles and doubts I had along the way.

What about sustainability?

I spent a little time toward the end of the project setting up a plan for that. I didn't want my organizing efforts to go the way of yo-yo dieting.

I'm a member of www.Coachville.com, and they have a great program called "The 100 Day Challenge." I signed up for the one that started this week to work on maintaining what I did during my own "100 Hour Challenge." The program also gives me a fresh way to approach continuing to improve my home and office environments.

When you're planning a change for yourself, remember to figure in a way to maintain the results you'll attain. We all know how frustrating it is to slip backward. So...go for it, and follow through on the follow-through! :-)

To your success,

Susan

P.S. Contact me for a complimentary exploratory coaching session by phone or in person at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. I look forward to hearing from you!

P.P.S. Thanks to all who attended my workshop at McCormick Chiropractic in Pottstown, PA, last night. It was fun!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Structure and Accountability Trump Will Power!

I know that my creativity needs elbow room, and that keeping my home and office environments in an organized state that is pleasing to me is good Feng Shui. But maintaining the level of organization that I want has always been a challenge for me. I'm doing better, but I still have times when I get really frustrated with myself around this.

Not only will I have a better chance of succeeding if I report my project and progress here on the blog, but you can use it for an example for creating your own way to accomplish what you want to do.

So here's my plan. I know that structure and accountability trump will power. So here's where you come in. I've set forth a three-month challenge for myself and I'm "going public" with it here for accountability. I'll report my progress on this blog once a month during the project: Monday, August 11, Wednesday, Sept. 10, and, finally, Friday, Oct. 11. There! Now I've put myself on the hook, but in a good way! :-) I trust you'll post nudging comments if I slip up!

Here are the details of my plan: For 50 days out of those three months, I'll invest 2 hours daily on the clearing, organizing, and optimizing of my immediate indoor environments (home and office). I also need to find ways to easily maintain the systems/environments I create. Please come back to cheer on my efforts (or to frown upon my slip-ups)!

What are you not moving along steadily/quickly enough that you could use some accountability, structure, and support around? I invite you to make a plan and write it in the comments section so that we can all be there for you! We'll all learn from it!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. To receive the alter ego to this blog, "Susan, Unplugged...Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips," with my compliments, just send your snail-mail address to me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. If you live outside the continental US, I'll ask you to cover the cost of the postage.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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Small Changes, Big Results

I once heard an anecdote about a group of listless otters in a zoo who were brought back to their usual playfulness simply by having someone dangle a piece of paper in their play area. It caught the attention of one or two of the otters, setting off a chain reaction until all the otters were lively again. The dangling piece of paper was a small change that brought about a big result.

In similar ways, we can stimulate our creativity with small changes in our routines and environments, which encourage our brains to make new connections among neurons. Here are some to try, even if for just a day.

• Do something on the spur of the moment.
• Try a new type of physical exercise.
• Try a different art form.
• Try a new spiritual practice.
• Rearrange a room.
• Type when you would normally write by hand or vice versa.
• Try a new recipe.
• Dress differently.
• Style your hair differently.
• Listen to a different kind of music.
• Set up a small meditation alter (or rearrange the one you have).
• Create in a different room, in a public place, or outside. (This is the one I'm using at the moment.)
• Try a new kind of bodywork, such as massage or Reiki.
• Change your working hours.
• Take the bus instead of the train, or vice versa.
• Travel on new routes when walking or driving.
• Shop at some different stores.
• Try different colors of paper and ink, and change the font.
• Change your usual order of tasks or steps in a process.
• If you are around kids, ask for their feedback on your project.
• If you have kids, find a babysitter for an afternoon.
• If you aren't usually around kids, borrow a friend's kid for an afternoon.
• Try some new essential oil aromas.
• Take a bath instead of a shower, or vice versa.
• Try taking more frequent breaks, and experiment with the length of your breaks.
• Take an afternoon off from technology.
• Call an optimistic friend you haven't talked to recently. No whiners, please!
• Create in the presence of a friend or a group as they work on their projects.
• Devise a mini-retreat for yourself.

My friend Mary Beth and I set aside several hours a week where we check in with each other by phone to declare what we are going to work on for the coming hour. Then we check in with our reports and encourage each other to keep going. It's great! With this small change, we've had amazing results over the past year. If you'd like to give it a try, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, and I'll do my best to set you up with a "Dig In" buddy.

Good luck experimenting with these ideas, and please let us know what happens. Remember, sometimes a change can be as good as (or even better than) a rest!

Be well,

Susan

P.S. My guided journal and inspirational card set both make great holiday gifts, especially for Law of Attraction fans! Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details. Thanks!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***