Is mental and physical clutter killing your morning productivity?
For me as soon as I ‘evolve’ (to the smell of coffee, thanks honey) my brain swirls with all of the creative things I need/want to accomplish that day.
Today a mental checklist starts with the last memories from last night. Two blogs posts require research. Phone calls to return. Essays to edit. Script scenes to rewrite.
The sleepies aren’t wiped from my eyes but I’m supercharged for a productive day.
Then I remember the trash buckets need to be curbside by 7 a.m. Laundry I started last night never made it to the dryer. An unresolved credit card dispute on my nightstand taunts me. Before I’m two sips into the morning Joe my muse is messed up.
I awake fully to the physical clutter in view, a catch-all shelf unit inside a small walk-in closet. It overflows with shoes, books, papers, donation cue, etc. It’s not hoarder-worthy but enough junk to clutter my head and the replaying of all the menial tasks that, while important, drain creativity.
I get up and remove everything off the shelves. I wash away the dust (lots!) and toss out stuff I didn’t need, use or want. Everything finds a place. Nice and neat.
Silly as it sounds I sit on my bed and enjoy the de-cluttered view. I adjust a few things here and there and place inspirational objects in such a way to be the first things seen in the morning. A chunk of driftwood from a local beach, a large conch shell I found in Florida, a Sedona red rock, some books with the spines facing me – books on creativity or writing or inspiration. Truthfully I cannot read the titles (nearsighted to the max) but I know they are there.
From now until the clutter goes haywire again I will do the following to keep the mental and physical clutter from killing my creativity:
-
Before bed make a list of menial To-Do tasks for the next day. Keep the swirly morning brain activity focused on creative production.
-
Clean off sleeping and waking space of clutter and junk. Except for a pad of paper and pen (for jotting inspiration) keep bedside area clean.
-
Put an object of inspiration nearby. Make it the first thing seen. Rotate objects to keep creativity fresh.
What is the first thing you see or think about when you wake up and how does that start your day? Could a quick review of your space put your day in motion to becoming a more creative and productive you?
If you enjoyed this article you might also like:
Five Places to Jump Start Your Creativity (without even trying)
