Crossing the boundaries of your workspace

Bits of cat food on your chair. Your (insert relative)’s papers on your desk. Again. The noises from down the hall. Emails from a store you don’t frequent. What is that sticky stuff on the keyboard? Alone, they’re not a big deal. Combined, your workspace starts to feel scattered, overwhelming, and nothing like an oasis. It’s a place you want to escape from.

Many of my clients describe how unwelcome their space feels to them. When we talk one-on-one, I ask what boundaries have been established in their space and work flow. Often, people realize they’ve been adapting to the clutter, the intrusions, and the distraction. Most would prefer to avoid conflict about using the space. It’s just easier.

In the long run, having porous boundaries can affect how creative you are, how productive, how happy you feel, and how profitable your work is. Not only are boundaries useful, they’re vital.

40 days and 40 nights of practicing boundaries

I’ve been thinking about boundaries recently because the season of Lent is upon us. This year, I’m observing Lent as a 40-day spiritual exercise to help me become less attached to things that don’t nourish me. At the same time, I’m replacing those things with activities and choices that nourish my spirit.

So far, I’ve come to realize that the computer and internet access are a potent source of disconnection from spirit. It’s humbling. I use the computer for everything: the calendar, generating ideas, research, writing and er… lots and lots of fiddling. None of it is very spiritually nourishing and I noticed that I fall prey to the belief that the all-knowing Internet is God. It’s not. It’s a teensy speck of the Divine.

Lent requires boundaries — creative ones.

Based on past experience, I know it’s not enough to just decide not to use the computer for frittering.

A strategy helps. My strategy is to use the computer no more than 5 hours per day for only work-related work and scheduling. To give this resolution structure, I set 3 goals at the beginning of the day to accomplish and I’m using an online stopwatch (http://www.online-stopwatch.com/) to keep track of how long I’m using the computer.

Limiting access to the computer is only one part. I spent some time thinking about how and why I use the computer for frittering. Looking up obscure 80′s videos or reading about Oregon’s state bird on Wikipedia, for example. When I looked at this pattern compassionately, I realized that what I wanted and needed was a break. My brain was tired from work. I got curious about what else I might need – fresh air, a handful of almonds, a good long stretch. Research shows that taking these kinds of breaks allow us to work more productively. Considerably better than frittering.

During Lent, I’m developing my awareness for the times when I need a break. This will equal less computer time, but in a healthy, more holistic way. Granted, it’s only Day 1 of my doing this. We’ll see how I’m doing on April 21 when Lent officially ends.

Making boundaries visible

Humans are very visual creatures. In fact, our sight is our strongest sense. One of the things you can do to make your boundaries easier to honor is by making them visible.

For yourself: If you decided to use the computer less, you might give yourself a visual cue. Turning it off completely is one idea. I like putting mine to bed at the end of the day. I shut everything down and then cover it up with lovely green fabric. It’s not impossible to remove, obviously, but it’s enough of a visual cue that I don’t turn it back on.

For others: If you want family members to put papers in a specific area, give them something colorful to aim for. If you want to create a visual dividing line between your and your sweetie’s space, I’m a big fan of blue painter’s tape. It’s visible, not permanent, and inexpensive. With a little compassionate discussion, it can be a powerful tool to honor your space.

Taking it home

If you had to choose one area in your space that needed clearer boundaries, what would it be? Good candidates are any area that feels out of control or is a source of overwhelm. What would minimize or slow the flow? If you didn’t have that to contend with, what would you rather do in its place?

Boundaries continued

Later this month, I’ll be writing about how to know what your space boundaries are and ways to consciously honor them. You’ll get tools to bring some structure to the ideas you generated in the previous section. I’ll also keep you posted about my Lenten journey. Stay tuned!

Warmly,
Jennifer

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Ever been here?

“It has to be perfect! What will they think of me if it isn’t?”
“It’s so far from perfect, I just can bring myself to even work on it.”
“Why bother? It/I will never be perfect.”

You may want to be reasonable and compassionate with yourself, but you still crave perfection sooo badly. The pursuit of it can depress and exhaust you.

So what’s really going on?

The root of the word “perfect” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) comes from two words: “per” (thoroughly) and “facere” (to make). To do something thoroughly. In other words, to complete.

Completion sounds more reasonable than some of the ultra-sparkly “perfect” things we see in ads and on TV. To make something thoroughly brings it into the realm of human ability. It’s do-able.

The problem we encounter with completion, is that life doesn’t have thorough endings. We empty the recycle bin, it fills back up again. You clean off your bookshelves, and a few months later there are more books on it. You finish an article, but you use the material again in the future.

Many of my clients are eager to have a photo-ready home office, but using the space means that even when it looks perfect, this is just a temporary state. Nothing is ever done. But knowing this means that there’s a better way to find completion and perfection that is in union with this principle of flow.

Aren’t we the judge of what’s perfect?

In some ways, you are the judge of what is perfect. On twitter yesterday, I searched for “perfection” and found people saying they’d found perfection in specific categories: weather, a CD mix, a Broadway soundtrack, a margarita, and an actor. Each of these assessments is personal. We have an internal sense of what is perfect to us, based on our own standards.

Perfection also exists in the form of the Divine, independent of our judgments. There is an essence of the Divine which is Perfection Itself which no person can ever achieve. In the same way that the Divine love is perfect love, we love imperfectly. Your essence is perfect, but as your strive for divine perfection in your actions, they will always be expressed imperfectly.

All of this heady stuff is here to make a single point. I promise I’m getting there.

What is your need?

Look within and think about something you wish could be perfect, even for just a few hours.

For many people, seeking perfection comes from a desire for approval, to be accepted, to belong. This is a deep human need, and we think perfection will help us get this need met. Some people seek perfection in fear that something bad will happen. Failure to meet high standards turns some wonderful people into controlling, stressed-out souls.

If you’re trying to create a life that’s harmonious and perfect, I invite you to reflect on what your primary motivation is to get there.

Are you making perfection a condition of happiness?

Perfection itself isn’t the problem, it’s the pursuit of perfection that troubles us. We fall into the trap of thinking, “When my desk is clean…” “When the bills are paid…” “When I get some time to myself, ahhh… then I will be happy.”

You’ve probably heard the “if-then” concept from others wiser than I. With regard to this topic, it’s worth repeating: contentment has no conditions. Besides the few basic biological ones, there are no conditions. No finish line requires you to cross it before you can be happy, satisfied, and content.

The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in accepting where you are right now on your journey toward perfection. Accepting that wherever you are, it’s just the right place to be. There’s nothing you need to do except take a moment to notice, and even appreciate, where you are on your path.

In fact, you may find that the less you push for perfection in your life, business, and workspace, the closer it becomes. If you can let go of your attachment to a specific outcome, and become open to the lessons the divine provides, your path will be less stressful and more joyful.

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business”
~ Michael J. Fox

“Perfection is no more attainable for us than is infinity. One ought not to seek it anywhere: not in love, nor beauty, nor happiness, nor virtue; but one should love it, in order to be virtuous, beautiful and happy, insofar as that is possible for man.”
~ Alfred de Musset

Thoughts? Yeah, buts? Me toos?

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Lessons from markers, dogs, and the 3-letter word

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When it comes to creating order in your workspace, sometimes it’s the smallest changes that have the greatest positive impact on your work and well-being.

I discovered an assumption recently that I consider it “free time” when I don’t have a task or appointment scheduled on my calendar. I was frittering away perfectly good work time watching Ellen videos and reading Facebook – and then wondering why I wasn’t getting anything done. Yipes!

Three weeks ago, I started a new practice that is benefiting both my productivity and spirituality.

It has so revolutionized my focus, that I thought I’d share it with you in case you want to try it.

A disclaimer

Now, before you go thinking I’m a genius, I’ll tell you that someone else thought of this before I did. In Abraham-Hicks, they call it the ‘placemat technique’. What I’m doing is a variation on that theme… without the manifest-y stuff. And also with a different outcome. But it’s similar. Aaaanyway…

Big, colorful, and grape-scented

I needed some structure with my work flow.

Since I’m a tactile learner, I love to use huge pieces of paper and sweeping movements with my whole body to think and plan. I am also a raving fan of those fruit-scented magic markers. Mmm. Strawberry… Lime… Blueberry… Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, I like to use these tools and methods because they’re so natural and fun for me. So I decided to use them with the intention of focusing better when I have unscheduled work time.

Monday morning magic markers

At the beginning of the week, I reflect on what goals I want to move forward. I check my calendar to see how much free time I actually have to work on these projects.

Then, using 2′x3′ Post-It(R) flip chart paper, I create two columns. The first column says “Jen” – and I write down the things I’d really like to do in the next 5 days. This week, for example, it looks like this:

Jen:

• Plan steps for 4HS
• Meet with Marketing Director (me)
• Prep for smARTist event
• Plan to update December expenses/income
• Update pricing on website
• Write article for newsletter

I hang this colorful, fruity paper on the wall next to my desk. When I find myself getting distracted or confused about what I want to be doing, it’s right there. When I finish something, I use another marker and cross it off.

It’s amazing how something so simple can help me be so focused and productive.

What’s in the other column?

I mentioned that there are 2 columns. The second column says “God”. This is one of the most amazing, radical things I’ve ever done in my business. I’m delegating stuff to the Divine.

Now, maybe you’re thinking I’m being blasphemous or that all the recent retreats to the Abbey have made an impact on me. Maybe both are true.

But here’s the thing. Stuff happens every day that I cannot handle. I can’t handle it because I don’t understand it, or it frightens me, or I feel huge resistance to dealing with it. This happens for everyone. Every day. Conflict happens. Surprises happen. Things fall through.

All the stuff I cannot handle

At 3:45am, guess what I do? I wake up and start to worry about all of it. It sucks. Maybe you can relate.

Lately, I’ve started to realize that not a single bit of worrying I’ve ever done has ever changed a thing.

If anything, worry has made matters worse. “What if I don’t make enough money this month?” turns into awkward conversations with loved ones. “Do I have anything to wear tomorrow?” turns into a panicky morning and an uncomfortable day. “Is she mad at me?” et cetera – you know what I mean?

Worrying, no matter how skilled I am at it, is not helping me – or my business.

Drrrrrop it…

As a kid, I remember playing with a friend’s young golden retriever. “Sensi, drop it.” She had a tennis ball, but she wouldn’t obey. I didn’t yell, I just said it calmly, persistently, over and over, “Drrrrrop it, Sensi. Drrrrrop it. Drop. Sensi, drop it. Drrrrrrrop it.”

And some days, I think that’s exactly what God must be saying to me. “Drrrrrrop it, Jen. Drop. Jen, drrrrrop it. ”

My ego really, really wants to hang on to control and try to handle everything. Yet there’s a deeper place in me that wants to hand over the scary stuff and the confusing stuff and the hard stuff. And maybe pick it up later when I feel more ready.

So I started this practice of writing a God List every week, along with my own to-dos, to practice dropping it and actively handing it over.

This week, it looks like this:

God:

• bill paying system
• my week “off”
• hard drive backup
• too much to do

If it’s on this list, it means I have NO idea what to do about it and I’m not sure what my next step is. Because it’s on God’s list, I don’t have to worry. I delegated it. It’ll get dealt with.

I’ll bet you know what’s coming next, but I’m still amazed. After 3 weeks, everything I’ve delegated to God so far has gotten resolved. Inspired Spouse’s broken laptop. Feeling overwhelmed. Snarly budget stuff. I don’t know why it has worked out this way. In fact, I don’t need to know. It just has.

All from writing God a to-do list in watermelon-scented marker.

A word on names: If you wanted to try this yourself, it doesn’t really matter what your religious views are. Instead of a God List, you could write a to-do list for the Universe. Or the Divine. Or the Earth. Or Love. There are thousands of names for the Thing That is Bigger Than Us. I just picked one that works for me.

The lesson

Practice taking conscious ownership of the things you can handle – and purposely giving away the rest to Something Bigger. Scary? You bet. But it’s worth it. It’s clutter-clearing for the spirit.

Thoughts? Yeah, buts? Me toos?

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