Coaching Tip: Clear Your Plate
Published on 30 Jun 2008 at 7:26 am.
12 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Coaching Tips, Feature Articles.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck or do you find yourself procrastinating? Do you typically load your plate by taking on too much and expect to handle it all? Are your goals realistic or a bit too ambitious?
There are times when tipping over your plate and letting things drop so that you can start over is the best choice.
Consider eliminating all goals for 30 days and slowly add back selected old ones plus new ones. Use this 30 day period to delegate, dump, finish, or streamline areas of your business or personal life.
Steps:
- Make a list of everything that is undone or not progressing the way you want. Include things you feel pressured about or anything your feel you should, could, have to, or ought to do. Add all goals, projects, roles, routines, and things you consider both minor and essential to your life.
- Drop 50% of the items on this list permanently. Yup, you heard me. Creating space to re-evaluate what you really want allows you to make a clear decision about what you choose to add back into your life.
- Deliberately reduce the emotional or time invested in the remaining 50% so that you have some “you” time and space for self –care, re-energizing, having fun…..
- Slowly add only the items back that you really want.
- Clearing your plate of all goals, promises, shoulds, have tos..etc for a brief period creates the room to focus on what you really want rather than what you think you should want or do.
Bottom line: Choosing this strategy can be a great way to realign priorities and assist you in having more ease in your life. Doing a clean sweep can jumpstart enthusiasm and motivation when focused on the things you deeply desire and choose to pursue. This can be a fun process that supports you in working smarter rather than harder.
Cheers,
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Ari Koinuma on 30 Jun 2008 at 1:15 pm: 1
I find that one of the reasons people hang on to goals they should have discarded is because of their past investment into that goal.
It is painful to let go of something that you’ve invested time and money into, but if the past is the reason you’re holding on to something, it’s best to let it go.
Clearing your plate, is a scary process, though. One lighter way to ease into it, is to go on vacation.
ari
lorraine on 30 Jun 2008 at 2:33 pm: 2
Hi Ari
Often it is the experience of something that has the greatest value rather than the result and knowing what to keep and when it’s time to let go. Hanging on for the wrong reasons only creates more struggle and misalignment with our greater purpose.
Cheers,
Lorraine
Kathleen Gage on 1 Jul 2008 at 9:12 am: 3
Great recommendations Lorraine. Just this morning I began a process of going through all the different email accounts I have and getting rid of those accounts I no longer need.
I am also taking the time to go through personal belongings and letting go of those things I no longer use, need or want. The feeling of release I am experiencing is fantastic.
Great post my friend. Great post.
Kathleen
lorraine on 1 Jul 2008 at 10:04 am: 4
Must be in the air Kathleen
I’m taking a time out and letting several things drop this week. I’ve had to continually give myself permission to step back and not constantly be in a “doing ” state so that I can be in a “being” space. The releasing that comes from decluttering and letting go of unwanted things, beliefs, behaviors….is so freeing. Have a fabulous week my friend
Blessings,
Lo
Al at 7P on 1 Jul 2008 at 11:06 am: 5
“There are times when tipping over your plate and letting things drop so that you can start over is the best choice.”
The art of doing nothing. Less is more. Although they sound trite, there is so much truth to it. Thanks for the great advice, Lorraine
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Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map on 1 Jul 2008 at 8:19 pm: 6
A great advice for me too. I’ve been piling a lot on my plate with no time to sit down and digest all that I’ve learnt into practice.
Yes, it is important not to neglect the “being” state. The tendency is to keep doing things.
Thanks!
Evelyn
lorraine on 1 Jul 2008 at 8:46 pm: 7
Exactly Al
We can become human “doings” rather than human “beings”. When we are plates are that full continually, I question our ability to be at our best and putting attention and energy on what really matters. All those “shoulds and have tos” can make life a lot more complicated and less satisfying.
Warmly,
Lorraine
lorraine on 1 Jul 2008 at 8:47 pm: 8
Amen Evelyn
Sounds like taking some time to let things integrate is a great decision. You go girl!
Blessings,
Lorraine
Lola Fayemi / Nourishment for your spiritual awakening on 3 Jul 2008 at 8:57 am: 9
Hi Lorraine
The fact the ideas in this post fill me with dread is a good indicator it’s time to let go of some stuff. The question is how much more stuff can I get rid of? I feel like I’m always decluttering whether it’s physical, mental, emotional or spiritual :).
In love, light and abundance x x x
lorraine on 3 Jul 2008 at 9:25 am: 10
Great awareness Lola
I can relate to the feeling. I’ve been following my own tips this week and have been continually giving myself permission to let things drop and just “be” rather than keep “doing”. I support you my dear!
Love and light,
Lorraine
carolyn on 9 Jul 2008 at 8:30 am: 11
Nice to read this this morning. When i stopped running for the past four days, I found i have been very physically sick and that mostly adrenaline was motivating me.
So now I will take some time to rebuild.
lorraine on 9 Jul 2008 at 9:14 am: 12
It’s a good reminder for me too Carolyn
I have been practicing what I preach and it has been very intersting to watch my own reactions to “being” instead of “doing”
Many thanks for listening to my Blog Talk Show. If you didn’t know, tomorrow I am chatting with Guy Finley on Fearless Living: http://www.powerfull-living.biz/blog/compelling-conversation-with-guy-finley/
Next week my guest is Jean Slatter to talk about “Hiring the Heavens”. http://www.powerfull-living.biz/blog/soul-discovery-9-principles-for-revealing-your-sacred-gifts/
These will not be on Blog Talk and you have to register for the call-in number and to receive the audio replay.
Take care!
Blessings
Lorraine