Time for Spring Cleaning Your Life
We made it to spring! For those of you in the Northeast, like me, we are experiencing whiplash weather. Some days it is 60 and sunny and other days its feels like the damp, drab cold of February. But it is officially April, Major League Baseball is going to happen, and as we look back on the first quarter of the year, it is probably time for a little spring cleaning.
There is something about the beginning of the spring season that compels us to air out our homes, do a thorough cleaning from top to bottom, and purge our closets of those items that no longer bring us joy. The spring is also a great time to think about a spring cleaning for your life.
We completed the first quarter of the year. How did you do on those New Year’s Resolutions? If you are well on your way, now is a great time to recommit to them. If you struggled, well, it is the start of new season, so why not start again or even set new goals with the brightness of the days ahead to help light your way. Write them down and take one small, achievable step each week to get a little closer.
Did you want to find a new job this year? There is still time to network and job search before the summer vacation season starts challenging schedules. Try committing to doing three things to advance that goal, one for each month of the spring season. Take 30 minutes this week and identify 1-2 networking opportunities and put at least 1 of them on your schedule for April.
Maybe instead of adding things, you are looking to Marie Kondo some things in your life. Are there habits that no longer serve you? Perhaps there are relationships that you have outgrown and you need to set some new boundaries. Remember, in order to say yes to those things that are most important, there are things you will need to say no to. Identify them and be a little bit ruthless about limiting their impact on your life.
Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, the longer days of spring may give you that boost of energy and motivation to make progress. If there is there something in your life you want to get better at this year, commit to hiring a coach or a teacher to invest in yourself. If you need motivation, look no further than this inspiring Ted Talk by Dr. Atul Gawande, who saw the benefits of hiring a coach for both his own improvement as a physician and in the outcomes for others. Coaches hold you accountable and can help improve your performance.
So, whether your goals for the year are improving your guitar playing, figuring our your next professional step, learning how to be a better manager, doing less of (or stopping entirely) those things that no longer serve this year’s version of you, or whatever else was on your annual list of resolutions, find someone who can help coach you towards those goals and with time and work, you will get closer. I would love to help!
If you’re still experiencing the winter doldrums and aren’t quite ready for your spring cleaning, remember that time is a construct and that whenever you are ready is the right time for you. Spend a little more time resting and preparing for what comes next. Summer will be here before we know it.