A Refresh for Mind, Priorities, and Workspace
Every year, by the end of March, I get the “spring cleaning” itch. Not just the traditional “dust the blinds” kind of cleaning, but also mental, physical, and environmental clearing. I crave change, which means things in my home and office get moved around – a lot.
As spring approaches and the days stretch longer, my motivation and enthusiasm for new, better, faster – on all kinds of topics – grows. It’s not so surprising, as research and expert insights tell us spring can enhance energy and creativity. Scientifically, the increased natural light during spring boosts serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter linked to mood and energy, which leads to improved alertness and well-being.
Spring represents renewal, growth, and fresh starts, which makes it exciting! It’s the perfect time to clean out and declutter not just your physical space, but also your mind, schedule, and priorities. For leaders, this season offers a chance to reassess, do things differently, and make time for the things that will truly move the needle for you.
I believe incorporating Spring Cleaning for Leaders is a powerful way to refresh and reset both personally and professionally.
So, if you’ve got a bit of spring fever in you too, read on! I have some great ideas for how to use that energy to benefit your work and your team.
How to Embrace the Energy of Spring:
1. Declutter Your Mind
Just as physical clutter can create stress, mental clutter can slow us down and cloud our decision-making. Before March even came, I analyzed what’s been occupying my thoughts, and thus my actions. I’ve considered what needs my energy and what I can I let go of.
One big realization was that I had let unnecessary things overshadow something I enjoy – writing! As a result, I have blocked time on my calendar specifically for writing. This means no one can schedule a meeting during that time and my phone is silent. It’s been so helpful; this is my third “blog” in a week!
Leadership Action: Make space for fresh (or refreshed) ideas and strategic thinking.
Spring Cleaning for Leaders starts with mental clarity. What can you let go of mentally?
Take inventory of what’s weighing on your mind. Are you holding onto outdated, unproductive, or unnecessary mental burdens? Try writing them down and decide whether you need to keep carrying those or not. Make time to reflect or even talk through things with a trusted colleague or coach.
2. Refresh Your Daily, Weekly, & Monthly Priorities and Calendar Them
Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets—it’s for calendars, too! I took a hard look at my schedule and intentionally adjusted it to make time for the most impactful action items. I also researched opportunities to re-engage with the Central Florida business community and booked key events on my calendar – I attended two this week after a year-long hiatus from “being out there”. Perhaps most exciting to me, I’ve restarted a project I put on hold last fall, and calendared time over the next 6 weeks to prepare for launch.
Leadership Action: Scrutinize your priorities and populate your calendar with fresh eyes.
Are your meetings still productive or are they just habitual? Are your priorities aligned with where you want you want to achieve? How you spend your time will answer that.
Be bold enough to adjust where it will benefit you, calendar action items that move you towards success with priorities and say “no” to time sucking business that no longer serves your goals. Consult with your team to clean meeting structures and create an environment that fuels focus and creativity.
Last week my team and I refreshed scheduled meetings and updated the order and timelines for recurring projects—breathing new energy into ongoing initiatives.
Spring Cleaning for Leaders includes making space for what truly matters.
3. Reorganize Your Physical and Digital Space
A refreshed environment creates a renewed sense of focus and energy. Maybe that means moving furniture around or getting a new chair (on my list!). Maybe it means getting rid of obsolete paper and reorganizing your filing systems. Start with things that give you more usable space, comfort, and are visually pleasing!
Last week I shifted the way my monitor and workspaces are positioned, giving myself a literal fresh perspective. I also tackled my paper files, getting rid of outdated or unnecessary items and creating a “to be scanned” folder for what I want to keep.
Leadership Action: Look around your workspace. Could a few simple shifts create more space and give you a new perspective?
Take an hour or two (some of you might need three 🤣) and clear out physical and digital clutter.
Spring Cleaning for Leaders isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about creating a workspace that enhances your productivity and well-being.
The Fresh Energy of Spring
Spring Cleaning for Leaders is a mindset shift that helps us lead with clarity, purpose, and renewed energy.
It’s not just about cleaning though—it’s about creating space for what’s next. Just like the new little green leaves about to emerge, making small adjustments can bring momentum for beautiful new results.
Try some spring cleaning this week and let me know how it goes!
Reach out to us today and let’s talk about how we can help you and your team achieve more, with less stress, and better results.
