The Blog

April Ahhs…How The Enchantment Drives Productivity

04/13/2015 By Nancy Borg With 2 comments

hikingAlthough the temps are still vacillating from unseasonably cold to mildly normal, I think it’s safe to say that Spring has finally sprung.  Gone are the forecasts of snow and sleet. As we gradually accept the warmth and sunshine of recent days, we can sense the internal shift within us.

I’m not suggesting that Spring has magical powers but one would have to admit that it does cause somewhat of a spellbound effect. Beyond its glorious bloom, it has a strong and compelling influence on our mental attitude. Most of us have been stuck inside this past winter, we are all yearning to get out and do.  Anything.  Even a mundane errand seems joyful.  So aside from the noticeably longer lines at the car wash, what does this all mean?

This might just be the kick in the butt we needed. Change is good.

We are so ready to shift into action and squelch procrastination.  I write often about weather as a strong influencer and this particular cycle seems to emit such powerful motivation.  Inclement weather is no longer sabotaging our to-do’s. The change in weather boosts our morale and more importantly, heightens our productivity.

Spring urges us to spring forward, with a more positive bounce to our step.  We feel inspired by the new landscape that’s shifting before our eyes.  Flowers will be blooming and lawns will be turning greener.  You can sense movement and shift with the obvious external changes.  This feeling can likely discourage the ‘lazy’ in us, don’t you think? Fewer of us will opt to sit on the couch inside when a gorgeous sunny day is begging for our attention.

The thought of putting away winter sweaters and buying ‘spring things’ is so enticing, isn’t it? Perhaps even swapping out your wardrobes will inspire you to re-organize your closets and ignite the spring cleaning process… everywhere. Embrace the endless opportunities and possibilities that this new season prompts.

Whether you feel inclined to bike, hike, or start a new project, this is the perfect setting and time to do so. Spring into action!

So are you tapping into the shift?  Are you ready to do?

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A New Season Gives Reason to… Change?

03/19/2014 By Nancy Borg With 4 comments

Spring flowerAfter a brutal Winter, most of us are all too happy to embrace the Spring. We are ready to climb out of our ruts and spring forward into a new rhythm. As this warmer cycle unfolds, I think a revealing positive energy sprouts too. The days are longer and brighter and we sense the excitement of the warmer season yet ahead of us. Change is in the air.  Do you feel it?

I write frequently about seasonal change as a natural motivator for personal change because I’m continually struck with its powerful impression.  It wakes us up in a very organic way and pokes us to take another look at where we are.  For those who are “self-reflect-ers,” we feel this very deeply.

Spring is my favorite time of year because along with its glorious bloom, it is filled with hope and promise and opportunities not yet realized.  Every season has its unique beauty, but the contrast from bare naked trees to lush green lawns is as drastic as black and white is to color.  The delightful fragrances of spring flowers like lilacs, hyacinth, and freesia are intoxicating. It simply cannot go unnoticed.

In just a matter of weeks, we will open the windows again and allow the fresh air to revitalize our homes. Our senses will be heightened with the scent of freshly mowed lawns and the cacophony of children’s laughter playing outside once again. Outdoor activities will surge and we will notice more and more people biking, jogging as if it were an ordinary day.

But before you fail to notice these change any longer, and before we take it for granted, take that small window of time to stop. Acknowledge that a new season can open up new possibilities.

Spring cleaning can mean so much more than the “physical” clearing out of our dusty and cluttered spaces.

It can be a great opportunity to re-align ourselves once again.  With so many positive physical changes in the air, it may cause you to feel very different too.  Spring signifies a time of beauty, freshness, bloom, change, and growth. It is the ideal backdrop for inspiration to cultivate and perhaps instigate a shift in thinking about our own personal growth.

In general, any kind of change is hard, and changing bad habits even harder. But if there are but a few things you would care to change, consider the NOW.  The smallest change can make a significant difference;

    • Appearance:  You might think about changing your appearance; a new haircut or change of hair color.  Men have the opportunity to noticeably change their look by growing facial hair or shaving it off.  Modifying appearances can make a huge impact on how a person feels.  Changing up your wardrobe by buying something new can spruce up your look and boost your spirits.
    • Time-management & Productivity:  Adjust your routines and schedules and take advantage of the longer days and warmer nights. Consider the time-wasters. Energy is up and so it’s likely to impact your productivity as well.  In fact, you will probably notice you’ll want to do more.
    • Self-care: Spring may spike your health and fitness goals that may have been otherwise dormant. This is a great time to get fit and eat healthy.  Inspire to look good and feel good.
    • Spring Clean: Give your home a new make-over too. Assess the NOW.   Let go of those things that no longer provide value, any longer.  Start fresh.
    • Try Something “new”: Perhaps this spring will ignite a new passion.  Let it.  Try something new. Plant a garden or take a hike…the possibilities are endless. Challenging yourself promotes self-growth.
    • Gratitude:  Maximize your outdoor activity and embrace the splendor of Spring.  Unfortunately, it is short-lived. Enjoy the NOW. Time fleets from Memorial Day to Labor Day in a blink of the eye.

     

Ought we not “latch on” to this sense of spring awakening and “catch” the fever?

Will spring fever infuse a personal change in you? What kind of changes are you ready for?

 

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Does Your Car Fit in the Garage?

03/24/2011 By Nancy Borg With 9 comments

Most would confess, no. Chances are whether you have one car or multiple cars, there’s usually never enough room in there anyway. It’s not about the cars, it’s about the stuff. If your garage is looking more than a storage facility than a “proper” home for your car, this would be a telltale sign that it is time to start your spring cleaning.

The garage is an ideal zone for your car to live, accommodate bicycle storage, sports equipment, shovels, and assorted hardware. But once you violate the parameters of this zone, you are inviting everything else that doesn’t fit in you house.  Typically, we just store our random homeless stuff and forget that it’s even there.

Ask yourself this;  do you even know what’s living in your garage that you’re holding on to?  Is it just stuff that’s collecting dust and buried in boxes because you thought you’d need it someday?

Well, make today that day to check it out!  Trash or treasure.  If you dig and find some old amazing stuff that you love and still love and need, congrats on the dig…you’ve found gold!  More importantly, if you find items that belong inside your home, then preserve it, respect it,and store it back inside your home in a temperature controlled environment.  But if you peer into the old dusty boxes and find nothing but your old life or useless memorabilia, trash it.

Pick a nice day, take all of your stuff out of the garage and bring it outside and rummage through the junk.  Make it a fun exercise. Have your own private yard sale before deciding you may need a public one.   Call in a Professional Organizer to help sort and facilitate the decision-making process.  Someone who is not emotionally attached to your sentimental cutter can be more objective and motivate you to toss neglected clutter.

My favorite junk removal company is Junkluggers. They will respectably remove and hand carry out your unwanted clutter, and re-purpose it. As an eco-friendly company, you can feel good about bidding farewell to the old bicycles, roller blades, the rusty paint cans,  moldy coolers, broken chairs, and rusty tools.  Hey, there are lots of cool new stuff out there and I bet you would opt to buy a new anything before you’d use your old stuff.

Seriously, time to get that car back into the garage.  Why store and protect the junk inside that you’ll never use, and leave your nice car outside on the street?

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