Spring Cleaning for the Mind

By Tess Marshall

Are you in a slump? Is your business slow? Do you feel like you lack faith and ambition? Are there times you just want to throw in the towel and give up? This is the season to do some spring-cleaning and spring clearing!

Release and let go of the clutter in your office. We are often afraid to throw papers out. Begin with old articles, outdated bills or receipts that are no longer useful. Keep only what you absolutely need. Then head over to your bookshelves. Sort out the books you no longer need or have interest in. Donate them to the library or pass them on to friends.

You will leave room for new information to flow into your life and business. You will help someone else at the same time.

Get rid of excuses. Write down what you tell yourself when you don’t feel like doing something. For example: I’ll return those phone calls tomorrow. I’m too tired to do that today. That report isn’t due until next week. Now make a list of all the things that you have been putting off that you know you need to do to create new business for yourself. You may need to join an organization or just get out and network more often. Is there a class you have put off or a skill you need to improve? Get a new logo or add color to your business cards and brochures. Volunteer to speak for Rotary and Ambucs. Refuse to whine. Refuse to say ‘I can’t.’ I can’t means I’m afraid. Two years ago I was told to call someone for a radio interview. I didn’t do it. I was afraid I might sound stupid or say the wrong thing. One day I decided I would never get over the fear unless I tried it. I have a small poster on my office wall that says, “God, give me guts!” Do what needs to be done or you will die waiting for prosperity to come to you.

Make everything shine with positive thoughts! Take positive steps. Read positive books. Surround yourself with successful people. This will bring your energy up. Every negative thought you think about yourself or somebody else will affect your business. Every unloving thought or grudge you hold against someone else will affect your business. Read Bill Diedrich’s book, 30 Days To Prosperity. Do the exercises it requires. You will be surprised by how powerful it is.

Check your attitudes and moods. When you find yourself low, do something to bring yourself up. Find someone who is doing your kind of work successfully and ask for mentoring. Take a walk and clear your head. Write your troubles in a journal. Ask for support. Do something creative. Get in the present moment. Play music or dance— it’s live-giving. Get off the pity pot. Let go of whatever is not working. If you want to become a butterfly you have to give up being a caterpillar.

We are often tempted to lower our prices when we feel desperate. Don’t do it! Do just the opposite; when someone can’t afford you refer them to someone they can afford. Then fill that time with something productive. That is a radical change and it will shake things up a bit. Carl Jung says, “For better to come, good must stand aside.” Tell others what you are good at, what you can do for them and how much you are worth. State it with confidence and conviction. Know when to walk away. Standing up for yourself and refusing to take less than you deserve creates self-respect and self-worth.

The rewards of spring-cleaning and clearing are plentiful. You will notice you feel lighter, the world looks brighter and good will enter the vacuum you created! Take care and happy spring!

Tess Marshall is a practicing therapist, motivational speaker and the author of Flying by the Seat of My Soul. Her book is available on her website www.flyingbytheseatofmysoul.com and in area bookstores. www.tessmarshall.com.