Declutter Your Life to Succeed Big

[image error]How often have you heard that de-cluttering your life creates space for new things to emerge? I believe there are even more benefits. Recently I decided to take personal organization to a new level with a process called 5S. I was introduced to this while working for General Mills. As your career and life continue to expand you may find you need to "get organized.” The 5S process may help you create and sustain new levels of productivity. Here’s a simplified way to 5S your life.

The first S stands for SORT. About 6 months ago I did this and got rid of no less than 3 large trash bags full of clothes. During the process I only kept clothes that fit well, looked nice, and were in good condition. Now dressing in the morning is a breeze. Organizing my office created a challenge because I felt like I needed everything. I decided to get rid of my someday pile. Either it’s worth reading or responding to today or it isn't. For me it’s just that simple. 

Next is SET order. When you were young you may have heard your mother say "a place for everything and everything is in its place." By creating integrated systems for things like email, calendaring and tasks, and creating a process for on-going self reflection and renewal, you may find your capacity and productivity both skyrocket.

The Third step is to SHINE. This is the process of cleaning things up and checking in and evaluating performance. It’s not enough for your desk to be clean. Take inventory of your skills and determine where you need to “shine” or hone an existing or new skill. 

The fourth s is for STANDARDIZE or STABILIZE. The standardization process is all about making things easy. You have a standard process for everything—how you read email, the way you pack for a business trip, whether you brush your teeth then wash your face or vice versa. Recognize and standardize the way you do things at work and at home. By creating a standard process, you can easily get someone up to speed when you get that much deserved promotion or take a vacation.

The final S is for Sustain. This is about renewal and continuous improvement. To achieve the level of success you are striving for in your career you will have to create a plan for your personal development and continuous improvement. To do this you have to be open to feedback about your brand and your performance. Seek out the opinions of those you trust and commit to acting on their feedback for your long-term success.

I would invite you to think about all the areas in your life and how you will "organize" them to enable your future and create the life and work you desire by design. Tweet me @corneliashipley and let me know how the process goes for you.

-Cornelia Shipley, Career Coach
www.corneliashipley.com