The list is long. The day isn’t long enough. External and internal demands are abundant. Self-imposed expectations are high. This combination can cause mind clutter.

After being away for a few days to celebrate our youngest daughter’s college graduation, I’m experiencing a lot of noise above. I know it won’t last forever. It’s just the confluence of the long list, available time, responsibilities, and expectations.

To help declutter my brain, I focused on three simple and effective strategies.

3 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Brain

Self-Care.

Take care of the basics. Eating and hydrating let me restore some energy. Taking my daily walk helped me feel mentally refreshed as I enjoyed the sunshine, fragrant spring air, and colorful blooms. Simply stopping to breathe in the sweet aroma of our white irises encouraged calmer thoughts.

Reality.

Focus on doing what you can do. Recognize which expectations are self-imposed. Allow some slack to adjust the moveable deadlines so they work with the available time you do have. Reassess the list. Be willing to shift some items off today’s list if needed. It’s not a failing. It’s reality.

“Focus on doing what you can do.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

Perspective.

What’s most important right now? What is your next small step? Let go of overwhelm. Stay focused. Think singleness. Think mindfulness. Do what you are doing now. Do not rush ahead. While there are more productive hours left, it’s also essential to stop at a point. When stopping time arrives, go there joyfully. Let go of the guilt. Embrace relaxation. Tomorrow is another day. Rest so you can greet it with a rejuvenated self.

Is your mind feeling cluttered? What works for you to untangle the thoughts? I invite you to join the conversation!

Have you ever experienced a surge in motivation when a deadline is looming? Sometimes we purposely wait until the last minute to finish (or start) projects because we need or want that adrenaline boost.

Each of us functions differently. Usually, my personal pattern and preference is to work regularly over an extended period of time and not feel rushed to complete things. I realize this isn’t always possible or desirable.

With two of my recent projects, motivation and deadlines influenced the process. One project was preparing for my first ICD board meeting as President-Elect. It involved reading several books, reports, and documents, completing forms, having several phone conversations, and reading and responding to emails. Even though I paced myself, some of the work ended up being completed close to the deadline. Delaying completion of last few items gave me the energy push that I needed.

My other project, the redesign of my office area, has been a long process. There has been dreaming, planning, sketching, discussing, and manufacturing. Finally, after many months, the installation will be soon (as in this week!) Months ago, I went through my files and drawers. I let go of things I no longer wanted, so that I’d be ready to reorganize what I did want when my new space was ready.

The next step was more challenging to complete. This involved emptying the drawers, surfaces, and space. I wanted the change, but not the discomfort and disruption that the transition would bring.

So I told myself, “Change is positive. Discomfort is temporary.” Last night my motivation kicked in. I boxed up my desk contents. In the process, I edited and released more things. With my positive focus, visions of “done” and working in a beautiful, organized workspace motivated me to forward.

How do deadlines influence your motivation? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.