News
Business Perks of Rearranging, Purging, and Letting Go July 22, 2019 13:49
I have not read Marie Kondo's book; however, my life changed for the better when I overhauled my home office.
It started at the ground level...literally. We've lived in our home for over twenty years, and the carpet in my office had lived there longer than that. It was time...overtime, really...for a change. I knew how much work it would take just to clear everything out of the room, but I couldn't stand the clutter anymore. It was truly hindering my motivation, efficiency, and business. I called Brothers Floor Covering in Indianapolis to come out and measure the space. They had installed beautiful flooring in our kitchen, living room, and upstairs rooms in the past, and they do great work. I had two weeks to prepare for this transformation, and I needed every minute.
I started with the closet, which was crammed full of photos, three-ring binders full of old lesson plans, grade books, yearbooks, self-help books on tape...cassette tapes, no less...journals, rolled-up posters, and random miscellany that was taking up valuable space.
It was overwhelming at first, but once I started to pick through the detritus of my past, things started to shift.
I recycled all of the old papers and lesson plans that I kept in the binders and donated two boxes full of books and tapes to Half Price Books.
As soon as I cleaned off the top shelf of the closet, a friend of mine called me out of the blue and offered to give me a free twenty-minute consultation to help me market my business more effectively. Suuhhhweeeettt!
When I slowly transferred all of the books that "sparked joy" into the living room and dragged the bookcases down the hall with the help of my husband and a beach towel, I received an email from an event organizer inviting me to be a vendor at an upcoming United Way event to celebrate women entrepreneurs. Yes, thank you!
When I organized boxes of photos, poems, and journals, I sold nine malas at the Summer Solstice event, Monumental Yoga, in downtown Indianapolis. Woot! Woot!
Edgar arrived from Brothers Floor Covering two weeks after my phone call and single handedly transformed my office floor in just a few hours. He rolled away the old carpet that always smelled faintly (and sometimes not so faintly) of puppy pee no matter how often I cleaned it, and replaced it with beautiful COREtec flooring.
When I rearranged the book cases and hung framed photos and prints on different hooks and walls, a client who had previously been dragging her feet, finally purchased the custom mala design she had commissioned me to make for her (and that I had completed the previous month). Halleluiah!
When I organized all of the books by topic, size, and subject matter, dusted souvenirs and knick knacks that had been hiding in the closet, placing them all with intention and care on shelves, a new client purchased two malas from the online shop. Yasss!
When I swept and mopped the new floor and replaced the bulky office chair on wheels with a smaller chair on casters specifically designed to promote active sitting (QOR 360), I discovered a free online summit specifically intended for sacred business owners and entrepreneurs in holistic wellness fields. Na.Ma.Ste!
From start to finish, this transformation took a full month to complete, but it was totally worth the effort and time. I now have a space where I can work and move about freely. I even have enough floor space that I can practice Feldenkrais lessons in my office when I need to take breaks.
Rearranging, purging, and letting go of what I no longer need has helped me create a beautiful space for what matters NOW. Business has picked up (just had a request for a custom design while I'm writing this blog post), and I look forward to working in my office.
Hmmm...I wonder what would happen if I tackled the hall closet :) ?
Recent Articles
Business Perks of Rearranging, Purging, and Letting Go Posted on 22 Jul 13:49
Tags
- All
- 100 syllable mantras
- 108
- 2017
- 21 Praises of Tara
- 27
- 27 beads
- 40 days
- ableism
- abundance
- acceptance
- acceptance of now
- acknowledge
- action
- actions
- adaptation
- adventure
- affirmation
- affordable
- agency
- Aham Prema
- Akshobhya Buddha
- allow
- altar spaces
- alternate routes
- alternatives
- Amber Karnes
- Amishi Jha
- angel Kyodo Williams
- anger
- Antidote for Anxiety
- Antonio Carlos Jobim
- anxiety
- Anyetsang's Little Tibet
- applying what you learn
- appreciation
- archery
- architects
- attachment
- attachments
- attend
- attention
- attracting customers
- authenticity
- autumn
- awaken
- awareness
- balance
- beads
- beauty
- beauty in isolation
- beginner's mind
- beginnings
- being over doing
- being present
- benefits
- benefits of a regular meditation practice
- benefits of daily meditation practice
- benefits of learning a new language
- benefits of mantra practice
- benefits of meditation
- benefits of memorization
- benefits of practice
- Bernie Clark
- Bhante Gunaratana
- birth parents
- BlackWorld
- Blazing Mountain Retreat Center
- blessings
- Bloomington
- bolster confidence
- books
- Bossa nova
- boundaries
- Brad Warner
- brain
- breath
- breathing
- Brene Brown
- Bristol Renaissance Faire
- Brood X Cicadas
- Brothers Floor Covering
- Bruce Lee
- Buddha
- Buddha of Compassion
- Buddhism
- bullies
- bullying
- business
- business advice
- business anniversary
- business plan
- business start-up
- busyness
- Butler University
- butterflies
- calm
- cancer
- Caroline Pfohl
- CBS Sunday Morning
- celebrate
- celebrating differences
- Celebrating Others
- celebrations
- challenges
- change
- Change Is Fantastic!
- chant
- chanting
- Chenrezig
- cherishing others
- choice
- choices
- cicada
- cicadas
- Cindy Rasicot
- circuit
- clarity
- clean
- climate change
- clinging
- clock
- collaboration
- Colorado
- commitment
- commitment to practice
- common courtesy
- community
- community support
- compassion
- compassion for others
- compassion for self
- confidence
- confusion
- connection
- connection to nature
- consistency
- consistent practice
- conspiracy theories
- Conspirituality Podcast
- control
- convenient
- coping with change
- cord
- corpse flower
- counter beads
- courage
- COVID-19
- creativity
- Crestone
- cult dynamics
- cult survivor
- cults
- curiosity
- curiosity in learning
- custom designs
- custom malas
- Cynthia Allen
- daily practice
- Dalai Lama
- Dare to Lead
- dealing with angry people
- dealing with anxiety
- dealing with bad news
- dealing with distractions
- dealing with grief
- dealing with loss
- dealing with obstacles
- dealing with strong emotions
- dealing with triggering emotions
- dealing with turmoil
- deception
- dedicating merits
- dedication
- deepening perspective
- delay leaving
- delayed cognitive decline
- delays
- Delhi
- destress
- detach
- determination
- detour
- detours
- Dharma
- Dharma Ocean
- dharma on and off the cushion
- Dharma Practice
- Diane Bruni
- Dianne Bondy
- different not less
- differently-abled
- disability
- Disability and Dharma
- disaster
- discernment
- distractions
- diversion
- Divine Love
- dominance
- Donald Trump
- Dr. Bertice Berry
- Drepung Gomang Monastery
- dysregulated nervous system
- eclipse
- ego
- Elis Regina
- embracing change
- emotional integrity
- empathy
- empower
- encouragement
- energetic vampires
- energy
- equanimity
- estrangement
- expectations
- fall leaves
- family
- family drama
- family gathering
- Father's Day
- Feldenkrais
- finding ease in your practice
- finding peace
- finger kissing
- fire
- focus
- fog
- Fourth of July
- fresh perspective
- friendship
- frustration
- Gayatri
- gemstones
- generating compassion
- generosity
- generotity
- George Floyd
- Gerson Therapy
- Geshe Kunga
- gifts
- give
- giving birth
- going on a journey
- gradual progression
- Grandmother Spider
- grasping
- gratitude
- Green Tara
- grief
- groove
- groundwork
- grow
- growth
- growth in the face of challenges
- gun violence
- guru
- guru bead
- Guru Rinpoche
- H.H. Dalai Lama
- habits
- haiku
- happiness
- Happy New Year
- harmony
- harshad number
- healing
- healing from abuse
- healing from trauma
- health
- health benefits
- health care
- healthy detachment
- heart
- heart health
- Her Eminence Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche
- here and now
- HHDL
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- Holistic Hub Wellbeing Fest
- honoring the viewpoints of others
- honoring your own viewpoint
- householder
- how to use a mala
- illusion of control
- IMA
- impermanence
- imporved focus
- improve business
- improve focus
- improve space
- improved creativity
- improved neural plasticity
- improving cognition
- improving concentration
- improvising
- inclusivity
- Incoctrination Podcast
- India
- Indiana
- Indiana State Fair
- Indiana University
- individual
- individuality
- IndoctriNation podcast
- Indy Holistic Hub Wellbeing Fest
- inspiration
- integration
- intention
- intentions
- interconnection
- interdependence
- interruptions
- intuition
- investigate
- Jacqueline DuPre
- Jangchub Choeling Nunnery
- Janja Lalich
- japa
- japa practice
- Jasmine Syedullah
- jazz
- Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
- Joe Webster
- journal
- journey
- joy
- joys
- Juneteenth
- junior high
- kindness
- kirtan
- knots
- knotted
- knotted malas
- Kurukulla
- Lakshmi
- Lam Rim
- Lama Rod Owens
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- landline phone
- language lessons
- learn
- learning
- less is more
- lessons
- letting go
- letting go of attachments
- letting go of expectations
- letting negativity go
- life
- life's path
- link
- listening intently
- listening to the wisdom of the body
- lists
- Losar 2024
- Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger
- lulls and bumps in the practice
- Luna
- making progress
- making room
- making room for now
- making time for practice
- mala
- malas
- managing anxiety
- managing stress
- managing strong emotions with meditation
- manipulate
- mantra
- mantra practice
- mantra recitations
- mantras
- Marie Kondo
- marker beads
- Martha Beck
- Matthew Remski
- meaning
- meaningful action
- meaningful communication
- meaningful practice
- meditation
- meditation practice
- meditation retreat
- meditation tips
- Memorial Day
- memorization
- mental agility
- mental flexibility
- mentors
- meru
- metaphor
- metta
- Middle Moon Malas
- Mind and Life Podcast
- mind training
- mindful
- mindful observation
- mindfulness
- Mindrolling Lotus Garden Retreat Center
- mirror
- mischief managed
- mistakes
- Moms Demand Action
- moth
- Mother's Day
- motivation
- mountain bead
- Move Better Feel Better Summit
- movement
- moving forward
- moving on
- mudita
- music
- Namgyal Monastery
- naomi shihab nye
- narcissists
- nature is our teacher
- navigating
- navigating change
- navigating life
- navigating transitions
- Netflix
- neuroplasticity
- new language
- new year
- New Year's resolutions
- ngondro recitations
- Nina Bird Lawrence
- Norbulinka
- notebook
- nothing is permanent
- noticing the small things
- nourish
- NYE
- observe
- obstacles in the practice
- obtacles
- offer
- offering dedications
- offerings
- Om Mani Padme Hum
- Om Tare Tutarre Ture Soha
- on the path
- one bead at a time
- online business
- open heart
- open hearted giving
- opportunities
- optimistic
- orange
- orchestra
- ordinary
- outlook
- over-giving
- pain as a powerful teacher
- pandemic
- Paris Olympics 2024
- path of totality
- patience
- patterns
- pause
- peace
- peaks and valleys in your practice
- people pleasers
- Percival Everett
- perseverance
- personal growth
- personal practice
- pizzazz
- plans
- playfulness
- pleasant surprises
- poets
- positive
- positive change
- positive changes
- Post Pandemic Meditation Practice Blues
- poverty
- power of the pause
- practice
- practice in times of uncertainty
- practice off the cushion
- practice on the go
- prayer
- precious human life
- preferences
- preliminary practices
- presence
- present
- present moment
- pride
- Pride Month
- process
- processing feelings
- procrastination
- productive confusion
- progress is a process
- proposal
- Psychology Today
- public practice
- puppies
- purashcharana
- Pure juicer
- purge
- purify
- purpose
- QOR360
- quarter mala
- quarter malas
- question
- quirky
- Rachel Bernstein
- racism
- recalibrate body and mind
- receive
- recharge
- recite
- reclaim power
- reconnect
- reflect
- reflect and rejoice
- reflections
- rejoice
- relax
- relaxed mindset
- releasing emotional pain
- releasing expectation
- remain present and grounded
- renew
- renovate
- repetition
- resolutions
- resonance
- restaurants
- restore
- restring
- retreat
- Retreat from Afar
- retreats
- revision
- right intention
- right plac
- right time
- Rinchen Khando Choegyal
- road trip
- Rob Preece
- roots
- Roshi Joan Halifax
- rudraksha seeds
- rut
- sadhana
- Saga Dawa
- Samuel L. Jackson
- sand mandala
- sangha
- Sanskrit
- savor
- savoring
- saying no
- science-based research
- SCORE
- self
- self acceptance
- self esteem
- self-acceptance
- self-awareness
- self-care
- self-doubt
- selflessness
- serve
- setting boundaries
- setting intentions
- seventeen syllables
- Shades of Becoming a Mom
- Shadow
- Shakyamuni Buddha
- Sharon Salzberg
- sharpen mind
- side-effects
- significance
- significance of knots
- Significance of Tassels
- silence
- silk
- sitting with strong emotions
- skillful action
- skydiving
- slowing down
- Snakes on a Plane
- snow
- social distancing
- solar eclipse 2024
- somatic meditation
- soothing
- Sounds True
- spider
- spiritual benefits
- spiritual growth
- spiritual log
- spiritual practice
- spring cleaning
- Sravasti Abbey
- start small
- step by step instructions
- Stephen Nachmanovitch
- Steve Hassan
- stinginess
- storms
- stress-management
- string
- success
- sudden hearing loss
- suffering
- summer
- support
- surviving abuse
- sutra
- synchronicities
- systemic racism
- taking rests
- taking the time
- Target
- tassel
- teacher
- teachers
- technology
- Ten Percent Happier
- tend
- tendencies
- The Dalai Lama
- The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English
- The Great Conjunction
- The Heart Sutra
- The Power of Mantra: Vital Practices for Transformation
- The Rolling Stones
- Thoreau
- thoughts
- Thubten Chodron
- Tibetan
- Tibetan Language Institute
- Tibetan language studies
- Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
- Tibetan Nuns Project
- Tiffany Sankary
- Tiger Eye
- time
- TMBCC
- tornado
- totality
- toxic people
- tradition
- traditiona
- traffic
- transformation
- transforming fear and pain
- travel
- triggers
- trust yourself
- tulsi
- Uncoverage Podcast
- understanding
- unexpected
- unexpected surprises
- United Way
- Unity
- unplug
- update
- using a mala with a mantra
- Vajrasattva
- variety
- vehicles for liberation
- Venerable Dhammananda
- Venerable Lozang Yonten
- Venerable Thubten Chodron
- vibration
- Vicky Beckett
- Vidhya Rao
- vision
- vulnerability
- walking meditation
- Wall Street Journal
- Waters of March
- we are all connected
- weavers
- Welcoming 2022
- whirlwinds
- winter
- Winter Solstice
- wisdom
- wise selfish
- woo woo
- words
- working together
- writing
- yoga
- yoga isn't just about poses
- YouTube
- zabuton
- zafu