In the last post we explored internal clutter, the mental chatter that drags us down, and how to address it.

External clutter is an equally common and debilitating condition.  Most of us have cluttered desks or offices, at work or at home.

Here are some quick tips to scale back that mess.

1. Set aside a chunk of time, ranging from an hour to 3 or 4, depending upon the size of your clutter. Clear a large surface, whether on your desk or on the floor, where you can put all of the items that need t...
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As discussed in the prior "monkey mind' post, we're bombarded by thousands of messages every day, most of them stemming from our own minds.  The result is a feeling of turmoil.

Clutter can increase our sense of chaos.  Some downfalls of clutter include:
1. When we look at clutter, we feel anxious.  This is because clutter is an outward manifestation of an internal state of turmoil.
2. If our homes or work spaces are filled with clutter, it is hard to find what we need/want.
3. Clutter is just one...
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It's amazing how often the word "should" comes up.

I should finish that report before going to lunch.  I should be grateful to have a job in this economy.  I should accept the job offer with the highest salary.

How often do our unexamined ideals tie us down?

I'd like you to try an experiment.  Think of something you don't want to do, but feel you have to do.  Then turn it into a should statement.

For example, I should clean out my desk.

How do you feel when you say, type or think your should state...
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Many modern employers are short-sighted.

In the interest of averting the next looming crisis, they ensure their employees are plugged in at all times.

As a result, the definition of a vacation is shifting.  Whether a professional checks in with the office once a day or multiple times, "vacation" is becoming synonymous with working remotely.

I recently took a 12-day vacation.  Having launched my own business, I was haunted by all the what-if's.  What if, by not tweeting multiple times each day, ...
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Today, many professionals are expected to be plugged in at all times.  Who sets these expectations?  In some cases, it's the workplace.  In many others, however, we set those expectations.

For example, in a recent job, I didn't have a blackberry.  None of my colleagues did.  My first coworker to get a company-issued blackberry had to fight for it.  Multiple proposals, value propositions, the works.  After several attempts, one stuck. We celebrated her victory.

What did my coworker win?

From a pr...
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The story below is a fun way to illustrate how shifting your perspective can transform your experience.

To get the most out of the story, read it carefully.  It will take you on an emotional roller coaster that may feel familiar.

You'll also find debriefing comments after the poem. 
Enjoy!


The Cookie Thief
A woman was waiting at the airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She ...
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In my first yoga class, I was thoroughly perplexed by child's pose.  Addressing the beginners' Hatha yoga class, our teacher said we would practice resting poses throughout the class.  She showed us how to fold our bodies in half, resting our foreheads on the ground.

Why take breaks during a slow-paced class, I wondered? 

Looking back, I can understand why I was confused about the benefits of breaks.  While playing team sports, sitting on the bench typically meant I was among the worst players...
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Cute puppy, huh?  Today Boston.com posted readers' photos from Take Your Dog to Work day.  I know this because my husband, an avid web browser and dog lover, sent me links of his favorite photos via web chat this afternoon. 

In case you haven't guessed, today's posting is about distractions at work.  More specifically, we're going to focus on the effects of multitasking.

Thanks to the rise of email and the internet, multitasking is a huge phenomenon. 

In addition to our three established metho...
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On Wednesday night I went to a talk by Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard lecturer and author of several powerful books including Happier and the Pursuit of Perfect.  Tal began his journey as a computer science major at Harvard.  He was a successful person living a well-rounded life, but he wasn't happy.  Tal set out to find out why.

Having studied psychology, philosophy and organizational behavior, Tal designed a course on the science of happiness at Harvard.  The first class began with only six student...
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