Post Your Clean Sweep Goals Here
You've created your Clean Sweep Focus Plan and know what you will be working on. If you are joining us on September 1st for National Clean Sweep Challenge Day, you know that posting your goals AND your accomplishments is how you qualify for the prizes from our sponsors.
At the end of Friday, we will be reviewing the postings to see who qualifies and post the results in the Success Connection Ezine the following Tuesday.
Here is how you want to post your goal. I'll share my own personal Clean Sweep Goal so you get the drift.
********************************************
It is now 5pm PST on September 1st I have completed a major overhaul of my work environment. First, I FINALLY was able to get my bluetooth headset returned for one that actually works. And, I got Verizon tech support to help me get my wireless sync working on my PDA phone. Finally! I also was able to get my major talking points mapped out for my speech at Mega Speaker Empire and the Maximize Success Retreat plus I was able to write out the whole speech for Mega Speaker (bonus points!)
I feel so much clearer in my head, I have unlimited energy and I feel like a million bucks just knowing that I've got so many of these little energy drains and distractions handled!
Please post your name so we know who to award the prize to if you are one of the winners!
********************************************
To post your goal, just go to "comment" and add yours. At the end of the day, just go back and let us know how it went.
Congratulations in advance for a job well done!
posted by Melanie Strick at 9:36 AM
56 Comments:
Greetings!
My own Clean Sweep is twofold.
1) I am paying over $250/mo in needless repetitive items that my business doesn't need, but I never get around to calling the cell phone, cable, and an old dial-up ISP to cancel/reduce services. I will do that today.
2) I have not updated my corporate website in so long...I will get all necessary updates done so I can move ahead with confidence with my other online promotions!
8:50 PM
I am already behind filing, yesterday my boss has given me even more, I have hundreds of documents that I need to read, digest, sort, organize and complie into binders. She has 3 years of paperwork for me that I need to be able to find in a moments notice. My goal is to organize and bind every document. On my TO-DO list, she also wants me to get contact info on Bill Gates and get a meeting scheduled with him. My TO-DO list is daunting as I can't imagine how I can get info on him. I also have to get a meeting scheduled with a millionaire (entrepreneur) in a nearby city. His staff tells me he is out of the country, they are insulating him well even when he is in the U.S. I need the universe to help me connect with him. I'm bribing one of my wonderful teenagers to stop by my office and help me back-up all the data on my pc. I have 3 years of documents to back-up on FLOPPIES (not cds). Oh Joy!
I'm ready to : 1. Read, sort, file and back-up every document in my pile. 2. Research and get Bill Gates contact info, 3. attempt to schedule meeting with millionaire business owner, and when I go home: 4. finish setting up online bill pay service and file all student and parent loan paperwork(14 ind. loan accounts) have some tea and celebrate with a brownie.
You women "ROCK", only smart women would come up with this idea to help so many people clean up their offices, their lives, their papers, and to free up their minds to tackle the important stuff and move forward.
9:18 PM
I am posting my plan and getting everything ready tonight so I don't have to start as early as everyone else tomorrow. I am a night owl...not an early bird. However, I am committing the entire day to meeting my Clean Sweep Goals.
1. By 10 a.m., I am going to feel more relaxed about the state of my pool because I will have interviewed two men and made appointments to see them on Saturday or Sunday to take over the pool cleaning job.
2. By noon I will have interviewed three catering companies to find someone to take over the task of preparing food for 25-30 people for Rosh Hashanah.
3. By 5 p.m. I will have filled out all the forms needed to post my website on Tuesday, Sept. 5. I will have made list of changes I want to make to my existing website. Picked a template I want to work with (or made suggestions for changing it); made a list of sections for site; asked three clients who have made testimonials to email me photos for the site;
asked two other clients for testimonials and photos; and gathered graphics or photos I want to use on the new site.
I will be so glad and relieved that I have stopped procrastinating and am really ready to ramp up my website to be one I am proud of and one that reflects my professionalism and passion for marketing research.
3. With whatever time is remaining, I will use "Take Back Your Life Using Microsoft Outlook to Get and Stay Organized" to save me lots of time each day. I will do as much of the following as I have time for before 5 p.m.
a)Finish reading the book
b)Start implementing the system
c)Figure out how to put tasks with no specific date at the end of the Outlook Today list instead of the beginning.
d)Scheduled time next week to finish anything not finished today.
I will feel so good about myself that I will go out with my husband, my best friend and her husband to celebrate.
(Actually I already feel better getting this done tonight!)
10:25 PM
My clean sweep goal is as follows:
1. clean & organize 6' table
2. clean & organize computer desk
3. clean & organize card table
4. clean under 6' table
5. pay phone bills & utilities
12:43 AM
Anxiety and overwhelm over pending projects are diminished today, September 1, 2006, due to my clutter free and organized office space, information system, and personal life. I have scheduled a block of time each day for personal health( in all areas), for business growth and progress, and for housework. Business growth and progress includes learning more effective and efficient methods used in owning and managing a business. I have cleared the clutter from my email, transferring all needed contact info to my Yahoo & desktop address book. This leaves me feeling as if I can breathe again. My business now has “room” to grow.
My biggest challenge? Staying with any organizational system or habit long after a habit should be developed. I have had many systems in the past and have stuck with them for a few weeks just to see them fade away. Curiously enough, they were all in the area of my business( maybe a form of self sabotage? )
I want all of us to agree the negative, wasteful past will be let go and we will honor our Clean Sweep by starting with fresh, positive, and productive attitudes.
I look forward to being held accountable in creating a clutter free me.
1:53 AM
My goals all have to do with clearing out paper clutter:
(1) to free myself from keeping up with my online usernames and accounts on various pieces of paper; to enter them into a software package I installed earlier this week;
(2) to find, fill out, and mail the new member form I received when I joined a new church 6 weeks ago;
(3) to enter the new recipes we've tried and liked (over the past 4-6 weeks) into a software package that stores recipes and generates shopping lists. I've been using the package for about 8 months, but haven't added any new recipes in the past 4-6 weeks. Until I add the recipes, the system can't generate shopping lists including those recipes;
(4) fill out the paperwork to request a rebate for my "new" phone from Cingular (purchased 6-8 weeks ago);
(5) attack the stack of papers that don't have a "home"; categorize and add them to the master index I'm keeping; and file them away.
3:14 AM
My clean sweep is focussed on two areas: my desk, and my bedroom. Both are cluttered to the max, and draining my energy. Both projects will bring on even more to-do's, but it will be the start I need to move on! I've been feeling very "stagnant" lately, and am ready to concentrate on a new lifepath without "stuff" hanging around my ankles (literally!).
3:23 AM
I'm stretching my clean sweep over this whole weekend.
1. Today at work
get radio tuned into my station of choice (already done)
clean desk - filing is up to date - just have to throw away pens and stuff that don't work and stuff that I've stuck up that I don't love anymore
clear personal emails
update work paper diary with meetings for the next month
2. Scheduling/ to-do list
Identify which marketing project to do each week for next 3 months.
Identify which e-book to read each week for next 3 months.
Update my master to-do list
3. Home
Get rid of 10 mugs
Go through summer sandals (it's spring today here in South Africa)
4:07 AM
For the past year, have been general contractor for the complete rehab of a 2 story house, converting it from a rental property to a home, and worked on the fifth (and I hope final) draft of a novel). In that time, I have let seven office inboxes overflow.
My goal today: Process everything in those boxes. Act on items that can be completed in 5 minutes or less. File where appropriate. For remainder, place in one of three boxes: 1. Immediate action by COB next Tuesday. 2. Action by end of September. 3. Toss.
5:09 AM
CLEAN SWEEP GOALS!
(1)Remove clutter from main room and give everything that I am keeping a home. Create a bin for charitable donations for useable items that I no longer need. Remove to trash area anything that does not fit into the above named groups.
(2)Purchase parts and repair a favorite lamp that no longer works. After the repair, clean lamp and give it a designated place in my home.
(3)Check pricing for glass that needs replacing in a odd-sized picture frame. Determing if it is worth the expense and act accordingly to either replace the glass or purchase a new picture frame.
(4)If any time remains, I will start removing wall-paper in the next room and began prepping the walls for an updated look.
As you can tell, my "Clean Sweep" goals will keep me busy today. That's why I started today at 5 AM. However, I just now remembered to post my goals. (Posting goals was not on the "to-do" list and it should have been there as a reminder.)
5:56 AM
Good morning, Clean Sweep friends! I'm time-shifting a bit and holding my own personal Clean Sweep from 9 - 6 EDT. My SWEEP will bring the winds of change to both my office and my home. I've recruited a team to help me achieve my goals -- at the office, Pauline (my office manager), is assisting and at home, Rob (my husband) will partner with me. My day begins with an end-of-day vision ... so right now I will just wish everyone a beautiful, productive, cleansing day!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is now 6 p.m. on Friday, September 1st and I feel fantastic and relieved of so many things that even just this morning were "hanging over my head". I'm starting to get ready for my date night with Rob, looking forward to going out and discussing the day's accomplishments. Since just this morning, I accomplished a lot with the help of a couple of people. It's been a remarkably productive day and I can now say:
1. I contacted (in person or by leaving messages) all 8 people I am responsible for coaching to touch base and see how they are doing.
2. My desk, which used to be unbelievably cluttered with stacks of paper, is clean as a whistle. All of those papers are neatly organized and filed away and I can quickly find anything I need.
3. I finally got the mess with American Express fixed and can now access my accounts online.
4. All of the 2842 emails that were junking up my inbox are now cleaned out .... the unnecessary ones are deleted and the important ones have been saved to project files. It looks AMAZING to open the inbox and only see the new items listed there!
5. In my home, the reader's corner, which used to be stacks of material about 3'X3'by 2' high (!) are gone. I've got a box of great reading material in the trunk for Goodwill so others can be enriched, a large stack of periodicals in the trash can for next Tuesday's pickup, and the remaining materials are organized on the bookshelf at home and/or sitting on my passenger's seat ready to go to the office bookshelves.
6. The surfaces of the barrister's chest and my nightstand are clear of all "stuff" and my bedroom looks neat and tidy.
7. My travel bags are organized and neatly put away out of sight, ready to go for my three trips in October.
8. The ironing stack is empty and RJ's and Rob's clothes that needed ironing are neatly put away.
9. The annoying problem with the fridge is over, because we finally defrosted and reset the darn thing! :)
10. The cluttered guest room closet and hallway craft closet have been cleaned out, with items sorted (in the trunk for goodwill, the trash, and or neatly put back in place).
Whew! What an incredible day! I'm ready now to go enjoy an evening out with my husband.
6:33 AM
Hi All!
Melanie-thanks for hosting this! It's perfect timing!
It is now 5pm PST on September 1st I have gotten completely up-to-date on a number of things I've fallen behind on handling, including...
1) scheduling preventative health appointments for me and Tinkerbell (my dog).
2) replacing my damaged office chair
3) organizing all of my scrapbooking supplies
4) auditing all of my credit cards and canceling those I don't need or don't serve me and applying for one with better terms
5) recording a podcast
6) complete writing an article
7) complete preparation of my August enewsletter (eeep! where did the month go!)
8) certification review for an aspiring coach
9) replacing the ink in my photo printer
10) preparing a book launch timeline for communications
11) choosing a new cell phone plan or making the choice to stay with what I have
12) following-up on a false charge on my biz credit card since they wouldn't deal with my assistant about it
13) LWL blog posts
14) completely empty my to do box of paperwork that my assistant couldn't handle, so she gave it to me.
15) sending Grandma a card
16) getting up-to-date on correspondence
17) if there was time, I made a sweep of my closet bagging any clothing I no longer like or wear for GoodWill (bonus points!)
18) if there was time, I cleared my inbox of unnecessary or no longer needed items (bonus points!)
I am proud of staying so focused and productive throughout the whole day and as a result completed every single task!
I feel so much clearer in my head, I have unlimited energy and I feel free to relax and have fun on my vacation next week knowing that I've handled all of these energy drains and distractions!
6:37 AM
Good Morning!
My Clean Sweep Goals
1. Organize my office.
2. Organize my computer/photography area
3. Compose 4 business letters I've been procrastinating.
4. Update book pages
6:38 AM
Good Morning!
My overall aim is to get my freelance writing business off the ground.
So…
It is 5:00 p.m. CDT on September 1, 2006, and I have completed my two shortest-term to-dos and two of my longest-term to-dos.
Short-term: I have written ledes and queries for the next two articles waiting in my pipeline, and generated 10 new story ideas (with pitch opportunities) from my resource lists.
Longer-term: I have assembled and updated my portfolios. I’ve pulled together all hard copy materials, and sent out requests for any that are missing. I have assembled only the pieces that best represent my work and I have culled out items that I no longer want to use in the portfolio and filed them. I have made all necessary copies.
I have assembled all of my electronic clips into a portfolio folder on my laptop.
Now that I have finished this project (which has been hanging over my head for a while now!) I can say with confidence that I’m not forgetting about anything; I have a complete CV of publications, and a portfolio that shows the best of them.
6:54 AM
Our Clean Sweep Goals are to:
1. Fill up multiple 30-gallon trash bags with all the clutter and crap in our home office that's not aligned with our Big Picture Goals.
2. Keep only the things in our office that serve a high-ROI purpose or project we'll be handling within the next four months.
3. Turn our workspace into a creative, money-generating power station!
BONUS: Have fun and laugh a lot while we're doing it!
--Lani & Allen Voivod
www.EpiphaniesInc.com
"A-Ha Yourself!"
7:12 AM
Challenges:
1. Arrange piles of work in each folder in date order.
2. Arrange folders by date of event.
3. File unneeded paperwork in filing cabinet.
4. Clean off desk and put things in their rightful place so I can work ON my desk.
5. Make "TO DO" lists for each event and put in folder.
6. Review older folders (6 months or more) to decide if to file or reactivate.
Hopefully I will finish all this by 4PM EST today.
7:21 AM
Happy Day!
"86-Green" (from "The Replacements" going for the winning touchdown)
It is now 5pm on September 1, 2006 and I am picking up my husband at work so we can go out and celebrate our best friends birthday.
Today was most amazing as I worked through my Clean Sweep Plan.
My inbox is now empty except for information files, and all the bills, unanswered mail and file updates have been completed
The workpile on the floor has been processed and put away and I'm on track with setting up systems and files to work with my new VA intern.
By the time the internship is over (8 weeks) I will have my Business Recovery Manual completed, my opt-in list systems set up and have organized the database for my new intuitive website - woo-hoo!
A great weight has been lifted from me (hear my sigh of relief :)) and I'm blissfully excited about moving forward.
7:37 AM
My Clean Sweep consists of 3 items.
1) I am calling 30 of my business leads. The phone will feel much lighter in my hand and I will have the confidence I need to connect with the people on the other end.
2) I am addressing the envelopes for the thank you notes I want to send to friends and relatives who sent me cards and flowers when my mother passed away a few months ago.
I will also buy the postage stamps.
3) I will acquire dominance over my new cellphone by using the owner's manual to set it up.
At 5P.M., my spirit will feel so much lighter because the weight of procrastination will be gone. I will be proud of myself for accomplishing the goals as I intended. I will acknowledge that I feel so much better when I am on track with my goals.
8:10 AM
Good morning!
I've got a number of business and personal challenges right now that have resulted in major overwhelm for me. These include (a) four kids, including the eldest, recently diagnosed with schizophrenia; June's flooding of the Susquehanna River, which is right across the street here, entailing disaster relief and insurance paperwork; and (c) everything related to running my business.
Here are the Clean Sweep goals I'm working on today:
1) clear my workspace of everything that's not related to my business, and create spaces elsewhere for my family to put school-related paperwork and household paperwork;
2) get all of the niggling administrative stuff related to school and household taken care of and ready to go;
3) complete work (web site geekette stuff and writing) on the affiliate marketing program I'm putting together; and
4) outline tasks related to automating and systematizing my processes for AR, AP and admin chores for my business.
As of 11 a.m., I've completed the first two items on this list, and I feel utterly energized and ready to work on numbers 3 and 4!
8:13 AM
I am signing on now to start my clean sweep.
8:28 AM
Thanks Melanie for the social venue for cleaning up!
It is now 3pm MST and my office can breathe. Not only can it breath, but so can I when I walk in. Everything is in it's place and a huge mountain has been lifted off my shoulders. Specifically, I accomplished the following:
1. My "piles" have been sorted, reorganized, and put away.
2. My personal/home items are separate from my business.
3. The bills are back to one location so I don't have the search to pay bills (for home).
4. My plane tickets and hotel reservations have all been made for the next 2 months.
5. My portable office bin is ready for the outside office with office supplies and one of the printers.
I am especially grateful that I was so focused on accomplishing these goals today, that when my husband came in to help, I was able to offer him some tasks to help me finish early!
8:30 AM
Hi fellow clean sweepers -
My goal today is to handle all the paperwork to get my corporate minutes up to date, as well as getting my home into a new Living Trust, and finalizing other legal paperwork around that as well.
And, I'm looking forward to being on the coaching line to hear from you if you get stuck and need a boost!
Take care!
8:31 AM
Clean Sweep Challenge 09/01/06
Today it is my intention to accomplish the following tasks
to improve organization and move forward with projects that
have been held back by lack of focus:
Clean all unneeded programs and documents off my computer,
including a past business that upsets me everytime I see the
name - and run scans to improve performance of my sluggish
computer. Clean up email programs, set up a new account with
my new domain, and get it working.
Get the logo I started fixed up and finished - and purchase it.
Set up PayPal with my new bank account for LLC and also initiate
Safe Pay with guru.com to have that system in place.
Revise agreements and fax contracts to prepaid legal for review.
Continue Process Mapping - and move into finalizing Business Plan.
What are issues that need to be solved? Isolate problems and take
action.
Call coach (Meg) and discuss possible work with agency.\then call
agency to find out the deal.Check out CRM system I have on trial
period, before it expires.
Personal website needs updating and changes, so find out how to
make the web edits myself and do it.
Find out how to begin building a list with past and current clients -
look into LinkedIn and Plaxo to see how they can be utilized.
Throw out old papers and take magazines to the spa - re-establish
routine at gym and pool.
8:46 AM
Wow, Clean Sweep Day has arrived! I am SO grateful to Melanie and all for hosting this terrific re-invention day! This is just the help I've been needing to be my personal best.
I know by 5pm today 9/1/06 when my husband calls me to arrange a nice evening out, I will have smoothly glided through my own Clean Sweep list:
1- reserve air and hotel for my October personal growth 3T seminar,
2- remove the black chair from my office with it's 3 ft pile of paper on top of it (improving office feng shui greatly!),
3- Process/file/toss those 5 piles of paper ("...but I know EXACTLY what's in that stack!") that cover the working space of my office desk,
4- Trashcan all old catalogs - flyers and stuff "that looks interesting, I'll read it in my spare time" piles that are clogging up both my personal and office mail system,
And,
5- If there's time, I'll put the overflow books away in my library shelves, knowing...
....that my List and Clean Sweep exercices will continue to guide me in this process of reclaiming my office, clearing and simplifying my life & bring me focus,joy and abundance in both my personal and professional lives! AJO! & so it is!
Now on a delightful evening together!
9:04 AM
Today I will rid myself of so many small nagging items. I am cleaning out all of the clothes I have not worn in a year or more, I will rid my desk of misc. papers that play no part in my business success, I will organize my files and purge anything that no longer pertains to my success, and I will complete my "follow-up" phone calls list.
I will have all of this complete in time to enjoy my son's football game tonight!
10:03 AM
My clean sweep day began earlier this week when I stripped our deck to prepare for staining this weekend, began the process for stripping kitchen cabinets for refinishing and delegated my daughter to clear clutter to go to goodwill. At 5 pm today, my desk is clean, filing caught up, appointments made, phone calls returned, marketing letter drafted, checkbook balanced and estate planning documents filled out and ready for notary. I look forward to continuing clean sweeping through the weekend, creating space for even bigger projects to get done, and celebrating all my first step successes Monday evening!
10:05 AM
Clean Sweep Tasks/Goals
It's 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 and I have...
1. Drafted new homepage copy for my website
2. Organized research for a writing weekend with my business partner
3. Cleaned out my bedroom closet
Bonus task: Sent in information for my upcoming high school reunion.
10:15 AM
Hi, I am checking in to let you know I have completed Item (1) of my goals!
Here's how much the Clean Sweep Challenge has paid off already.
a) I had an old dial-up ISP that I haven't used in a year that I was still paying for. It's now cancelled. SAVINGS: $14.95/mo
b) I was paying over $120/month for cellular service when I hardly use it 60 minutes per month, only send 200 text messages, and have 7,000+ rollover minutes accululated.
Reduced my calling plan - $20/month savings
Reduced my media plan - $5/month savings
Cancelled a subscription to a ringtone-download service I didn't know I had - $7/momth savings
3) I have a Cable TV plan where I had all sorts of deluxe services when I only watch four hours of television per week - all on basic cable.
Reduced my cable TV plan - $25/mo savings
So, in three quick phone calls, I put $71.95/month (or $863.40 per year) back in my pocket! All because I took the Clean Sweep Challenge! :)
Well, off to begin Part 2...
10:53 AM
I'm just checking in - earlier than I expected. I've interviewed two pool services and tentatively hired one (subject to cost and availability - to be finalized at 10:30 am tomorrow). As hard as it was, I fired my current pool man, which is better than griping behind his back.
I reconnected with a caterer that I had used 15 years ago. What a relief to know that I will be using someone whose food I already know is really good. And, to make it even better, I will be paying half price for the food because Teri is listed on my barter service, Malibu Exchange. (Call me if you want information about joining for free.) Now I have enough money to get someone to serve as well as get the food cooked and delivered for me.
I can taste it already and am happily anticipating the relaxation of being with my guests all evening instead of running around trying to get everyone what they want when they want it! What joy!!!
Now to get started on the prep work for my website. I've already booked an appointment for Tuesday to "build" the site with my trainer and read the introductory stuff. Now to get the background information together so that I can make efficient use of the time on Tuesday. I'll let you know at the end of the day (or when I finish or switch tasks) of my progress.
This blogging thing is fun as I'm not working with any of my friends and have no one else to brag to!
11:35 AM
Melanie, I am learning things from other people's postings, but don't want to take the time to make notes now. Will you please leave the blog up for awhile (e.g., all next week), so I can re-read them?
11:39 AM
It is now 5pm PST on September 1st I have cleared out all the surrounding paperwork in my home office. I have finished the rearch for the new fridge and double oven we are planning to buy. I have also put 2 things up on ebay that I have been intending to put up for a long time. AND I have call a service professional for my vehicle. Lastly, I have purchase new drapes for the guest bedroom.
Inner clutter, I have successfully had 10 glasses of water and eaten organically. One more thing, I am going to get really clear on my limiting beliefs.
I am so grateful and thankful to have completed a successful clean sweep day.
Jen Blackert
12:10 PM
Hi, just checking in! Pauline and I have completed the "work" portion of the Clean Sweep and I am THRILLED at having accomplished all 4 of my work goals. Now I'm off to the house to meet Rob for Part 2 before our date. Glad to hear from those of you also making great progress .... will check in again in a few hours to "report back" on my home initiatives!
12:59 PM
Woo Hoo!
Feel the new energy!
I met with my legal folks and got things rolling to get all my LLC and trust paperwork finished.
I also cleaned out a file cabinet of old papers/junk, and will be moving on to doing some client follow up.
Thanks for playing, ya'all!
1:05 PM
It's 5pm the Friday before Labor Day. I have completed my business work for the week at the end of this week. I am free to enjoy myself for the weekend. I have put away the papers on my desk and smile as I see a new play area to design my business. I have ordered a new internet service to establish clear and reliable communication with my clients and family. I have complete my activities for my clients this week and have organized their files/documents. It feels so great to just enjoy a long weekend!
2:25 PM
OK, so I'm wrapping up early (have another commitment) and am suffering for it. However, I did get 4 out of 5 done:
1. ALL piles are gone! YEAH!!
2. Home papers and business paperwork are all separated.
3. All the bills are back into there own place and not infringing on the rest of my business and life.
4. Reservations are made and I am ready to travel!
5. The portable office crate is not completed. However, I saved this for last because it is already the most organized part of my life (although I want to add some "necessities") and this task will be easy-peasy to complete. In fact, it will be complete Tuesday morning!
So...I FEEL GOOD!! In fact, I didn't even realize I had completed 4 out of 5 until I just went back to review my original post. YEAH!!
And now, for a glass of wine....
2:32 PM
Just a quick note to say: Great job everyone!
Not only have I also accomplished so much today but I'm totally jazzed and excited reading everyone's breakthroughs.
I can't wait to hear everyone's big accomplishments.
So far I've:
- finished editing two more of the Virtual Team Building Secrets interviews
- Completed two big conversations I needed to have with vendors
- Handled the darn problemw with my bluetooth headset (they are exchanging it for me.)
-Finished up some paperwork for a real estate transaction
Now I'm on to my post-lunch focus of mapping out my speech.
Whew, I'm totally and completely pumped up now!
I'll post a wrap up soon for everyone. =-)
2:41 PM
It's now 5:57 p.m. on the East Coast and I feel about a hundred pounds lighter since this morning :) With my team, I accomplished 9.5 of my 10 items.
Halfway through the theater closet clean, we realized most of the remaining stuff needs to move downstairs to the new guest room. Cleaning and organizing that new space will probably take another 4-5 hours so we called the day "quits" -- but plan to continue our Clean Sweep tomorrow. The day has been so successful it's inspired us to do more tomorrow to conquer our last remaining "hot spot". It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you are truly focused on the end result -- instead of worrying about throwing each little thing away, we've been RUTHLESS! :)
So .... there are 4 boxes of Goodwill goodies, 3 giant trash bags, 2 trunks full of stuff to move, and 1 happy and relaxed couple, ready for an evening date!
Thanks, Melanie, for concocting this wonderful plan ... and everyone else for participating. Somehow knowing you all were "out there" also making the most of this day helped me really stay on track.
Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend -- we labored and we deserve it!
Michele
3:10 PM
I'm back. And I've completed Part 2 of my Clean Sweep Challenge!!!!!!
I have designed literally dozens of websites for clients (including one that was uploaded at 2:00 AM just this morning)...yet my own corporate site was a hand-written train-wreck that I hadn't updated since March 2004!
The Clean Sweep Challenge gave me the power to overcome my obstacles and take the files that have been sitting on my hard drive for two months now, finish them off, and get them loaded!
The site still has some things to be added, and I'll be getting those done, but now I have a corporate internet presence that reflects my current business (not the one I was in in 2004), that displays the best my firm has to offer.
This also frees me to get in high gear with 16 other websites I plan to launch, which I have held back on because of the mental block caused by this.
When I was about to let myself be distracted and not see this through (the client calls and e-mails have been piling up all afternoon!), Melanie gave me the extra "push" I needed to make it to the finish line.
I feel so powerful, liberated, and ready to take on the world, with this hurdle cleared.
My thanks to Melanie, Therese, and the Success Connections team (of which I am proud to be a member, by the way!) for bringing us the Clean Sweep Challenge!!!!
Best,
Adam Robert Hommey, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Assess Communicate LLC
http://www.assesscommunicate.com
Emancipate the POWER of INFORMATION!
3:22 PM
Hi All!
Wow--has this been a packed day! It's 6:30 out here on the East Coast, so I'm closing up for the night. Here’s what I’ve completed:
1) bought a new office chair, assembled it and put the old one in the garage to go to the dump (P.S. I love my new leather chair!!)
2) made a comprehensive exam and vaccination appointment for Tinkerbell
3) completed certification review, filled out critique form, wrote and sent recommendation letter
4) recorded a podcast and sent upload information to Createaway
5) completed a marketing article
6) followed-up on a false charge on my biz credit card (waiting for reply)
7) got more up-to-date on correspondence by sending Marsha b-day card, Anita thank you card, Jeannie get well card, Pam get well card
8) found a new gyno and booked an appt.
9) searched for a new dentist, found a few in area, read reviews, they were bad, back to square one, got smart and sent e-mail to friend asking for referral (waiting for reply)
10) researched cell phone plans and decided to stay with my current provider, BONUS: I learned that I have a really good plan!
11) completed a week’s worth of blog posts and set automatic publishing dates for when out of town next week.
12) Audited credit cards: picked one card to cancel BONUS: Found a $500 credit sitting on another card—had the amount sent to my ING interest-earning savings account
13) quick sifted through stacks of credit cards offers and kept only the ones that appeared to look really good, put in folder to review more carefully on the plane, shredded the rest
14) Grandma card with hand-written letter, addressed, stamped and ready to mail
15) made a massage appointment!! Yippie!!
16) charged credit cards for September Coaching that aren’t in automatic system
17) researched MCC renewal BONUS: found out I have until Dec. 31 to submit my application, put a tickler in calendar to handle in November
18) packed up four boxes of books to keep and one to donate to clear off shelves for scrapbook organizing
19) prepared a book launch timeline for communications, realized my personal database needs some work (eeep!)
20) enewsletter elements collected to go to web guy
21) second podcast script written
22) request made for dogsitter
23) downloaded cover for new book to include in promo materials
What I didn’t get handled:
-- organizing all of my scrapbooking supplies
-- changing the ink in my photo printer (this has to get done tomorrow as I need to print some photos to take to my sister)
-- my two if there were time items...which there wasn’t because I did a few items not on my list that popped up as being more important to handle before heading out of town?
Overall…hugely successful especially because that podcast had been on my to do list since June (embarassed to say!) and I got done more than I thought I would. I am proud of staying so focused and productive throughout the whole day and as a result completed almost every single task!
I feel so much clearer in my head, I have unlimited energy and I feel free to relax and have fun on my vacation next week knowing that I've handled all of these energy drains and distractions!
Thank you!!
3:43 PM
Holy Toledo, has this been a good day.
For me, this Clean Sweep business really began on Monday of this week. After using the assessment tools and listening to the audio program, I had a clear idea not only of what I wanted to accomplish today, but also of what I had to do to lay the foundation to be successful. For instance, as I though about assembling my portfolio, I realized that one of the big stumbling blocks for me with that task was that my files were a disaster. So, on Monday I bit the bullet. I poured a cup of good coffee and headed up to my office with the vow that I would get those files under control or die trying!
Who won? Well, let’s just say that the next day I had to make a trip to Office Max for a new shredder—the tax return from 1986 was the last straw for the old one.
As I transition out of my full-time job and into my freelance career, I cleared out a bunch of mental clutter this week as well: I hammered out a daily schedule for myself to create the structure I know I like. I met with my financial advisor and crafted my rollover plan. I spoke with an agent about my health insurance options, and I ramped up my website efforts. As headed for bed on Thursday night, I was most excited about the prospect of having a full day to devote to my presentation and to the writing part of my writing business.
So, what did I make happen today? I have a terrific portfolio, and I even had time to surf around for the best price on a nicer presentation book than the one I’m currently using. Instead of two ledes and queries, I have one lede and a query letter to go with it. The other lede turned into a full-blown article draft, and I’m more than okay with that—I know better than to turn away the Muse when she’s ready to get down to work! (I also acknowledge that much of that writing energy came from not having so many other things taking up my attention.)
Lastly, because success begets success, I had a great brainstorming session. My plan to generate 10 new stories yielded some really solid ideas that I think will keep my busy for quite a while. And now for the ‘Twilight Zone’ moment: At the end of the day, I finally checked messages and you know what? While I was in the midst of all of this, a client emailed me with two new projects.
I’m going to be busy for a while—but I can see that a regular Clean Sweep could be a powerful tool for creating and maintaining momentum. Thanks for this!
Anne Lies
3:44 PM
It is nearly 6:30pm EST, and I am writing to say that I have accomplished everything I wanted to do today. As I write this, I can't help smiling! Even though I'm a very organized person, challenges like today's are an added boost.
Here's what I did:
1) entered passwords for 31 online sites into Password Safe. As I entered each one, I went online to double-check the usernames and passwords were correct. Then I threw away (recycled) the individual index cards and sheets of paper where I had kept the passwords; also deleted emails I had been saving with password info. It's so great to be rid of the clutter and to have everything stored in a central location.
2) filled out the membership info form from church, placed it in a stamped envelope, ready to mail in the morning.
3) entered the recipes that are "keepers" into Big Oven, and tossed the loose sheets of paper. Not only does this cut down on paper clutter, but having the recipes online enables me to use the software package to create shopping lists with those recipes -- saving time and reducing mistakes.
4) found the paperwork for the Cingular rebate, but discovered the deadline had passed. So I missed that one, but on the good side, while looking for the rebate I ran across two other items where I'm due refunds, but haven't gotten them yet. So I followed up with Amazon and BellSouth about those refunds.
5) Went through the stack of papers to be filed. Most of these were warranties that I ran across last week when I was organizing user guides for major appliances and kitchen and household items. Since I didn't have a folder for "Warranties", I added one to the "Home Management" files.
Other than warranties, there were other loose papers that I filed away, everything from Home Decor (how to hang pictures) to tax info (charitable donations).
It feels GREAT to have conquered the clutter. My desk is clear, everything is put away where I can quickly find it, and I have a trash can full of papers to put out for recycling on Monday. But now, I can really relax and enjoy the weekend!
4:04 PM
I'm done! Now, I can really enjoy my labor day weekend.
Wow. What a fun day! I feel rejuvenated.
I actually don't have one thing out of place in my office or home. I did have a couple cleaning ladies to help though. That's not cheating is it?
I learned that Whirlpool is the best fridge to buy (which I ordered and will be brought to my home next Wednesday). Going with GE of the oven.
My ebay posts ended up becoming a craigslist post. Didn't want to deal with shipping.
I even drank my water and ate well today :)
I was hit with an obstacle earlier and my car AC went out while shopping for drapes.
I had a new task! With Melanie's help, I scheduled my car for repairs first thing Tuesday.
It will be a hot weekend with no car AC, but my to do list is clear, my house is clean and soon I will have some new kitchen items.
Ah, I take a deep breath! Time for some fun!
I am imagining what life would be like if I had this challenge every Friday!
4:33 PM
Hey! It's 4:53 and I'm finished, Tah dah!
1) The business calls went great. This is the day before the 3-day holiday, so it came as no surprise that many people were not in their offices and/or homes. That's okay, I just added another 10 calls to my goal because I was "on a role." The whole purpose of making these calls part of today's challenge was to just start. I will work on these again this Tuesday when everyone returns to real life. I feel proud of myself for getting over the "heavy phone hurdle!" (Maybe I should call my physician and tell him I lost 10 pounds today!)
2) Wow! I addressed 48 envelopes and realized how much I want to get in touch with these loving people who were close to my mom. Do you know how sometimes you will do something, thinking that you are doing it for others and...it turns out that you benefit at least as much as they do? That's what this felt like. I thought I was wanting to thank all of these people for loving my mom, and it ended up that I felt loved also. So, now my new goal is to follow through with writing the notes. I will write two a day and mail them the same day.
3) Aah, the cellphone! What can I say except that my Smart Chip no longer flaunts its intelligence above me. I'm the boss now. And, the best part is that I discovered some helpful features on this phone. However, the most fun I had was picking out the perfect picture for each of my kids' caller i.d. numbers. Of course, they have no sense of humor at all and cannot understand why I chuckle when one of them calls. What can I say other than that I like cartoons!
Okay, it was a great day. None of these accomplishments is outstanding on its own. However, these were three of those little nagging tugs on my hemline that kept making my skirt hang lopsided. Here's to straight hem lines!
5:24 PM
Well, it's 5 pm and the Clean Sweep Day is over...although the concept will remain part of my planning process. After reading how good people felt after cleaning up their offices, I wish I had set that as my goal for today.
I am so relieved that I fired the current poolman and am close to hiring a new poolman.
I've hired a caterer for my dinner party and am excited about reviewing the menu with her on Tuesday. What a relief to know that I will be using someone whose food I already know is really good. And, to make it even better, I will be paying half price for the food because Teri is listed on my barter service, Malibu Exchange. (Call me if you want information about joining for free.) Now I have enough money to get someone to serve as well as get the food cooked and delivered for me.
I can taste it already and am happily anticipating the relaxation of being with my guests all evening instead of running around trying to get everyone what they want when they want it! What joy!!!
I did everything on my list regarding preparation for designing my new website. I feel empowered as I am all ready for my meeting on Tuesday to actually start creating the site.
As usual, I added "just one more objective" to this morning's Goals List and now wish I had had more time to work on my Outlook project. However, I've finally gotten started, and already scheduled several hours next week to complete each task that is left to do, one at a time, so that I can experience "little victories" each day.
Most important of all, I learned a lot about me and about my work habits. The reality is, no matter how focused I am, I can't put on blinders to the outside world. All I can do is learn how to reduce my expectations about what can realistically be accomplished in a day, and be pleased with what I do accomplish.
Thanks Melanie. This was a great exercise, dovetailing nicely with Dave Lakhani's "The Power of an Hour" which I have just finished reading and intend to put into action next week as well. Some of what I will apply "fearsome focus" to are the left-overs form today!
Michele Zwillinger
Zwillinger Research
"Maximizing Profit While Minimizing Risk Through Marketing Research"
www.ZRGlobal.com
5:27 PM
TAHDAH! My desk hasn't been this clean in months and all my filing is caught up, calls made, checkbook balanced, estate planning almost completed, marketing letter drafted--found some terrific surprises in the piles of files! I also got a couple of other things done and am serving a terrific dinner. I'm on a roll and will continue through the weekend! This feels so good, don't know why I waited so long--I feel so light and ful-filled. I think I'll have a clean sweep day monthly to keep on track, the first of each month! Thank you Melanie and Clean Sweep Team!
6:16 PM
Success! Book research organized, closet cleaned, old friends informed and web copy written -- this feels so great, I'm going to have one these days once a month! (At least!)
9:03 PM
I sifted through four of my seven inboxes and discarded nearly all of the hardcopy (a large recycle carton now contains most of the paper.) I hoped to process all seven boxes, but am not unhappy with the results. More tasks than anticipated required only a few minutes to resolve and I ended with just three items for later action. Tomorrow: the last three boxes. I look forward to it.
9:03 PM
Greetings Fellow Clean Sweepers!
Well, today has certainly had it's share of surprises for me....what I expected to be "hard" was not, what appeared "easy" had it's share of detours and complexities! Go figure!! I am, however, triumphant at completing 3.5 out of 4 priorities, plus half of my optional 5th!
The best surprise of the day was my husband showing up mid-morning at the house again to manhandle the black (sleeper sofa) chair out of my office and into my art studio...Wahooo, volunteer help, no less!! Tonight he said he did it so I wouldn't give up on my Clean Sweep efforts...! Even those silent men know a good thing when they see it!
The "easiest" task of the travel arrangements became the hardest/most complex as I was initially unaware emotionally of the relationship chaos present, but a delightful "ah,hah" moment surfaced when I took time to meditate/intuite my way back to progress!
Finally, the 5 desk piles derailed me the most, and are the half done item of my priorities list....It has been so long since I focused on my business for an intense, uninterrupted 7 hours that I found myself on an emotional roller coaster that left me feeling scattered and tired! (I have just spent 12 weeks managing our house/yard remodel & new kitchen install--we're still eating on paper plates, but hoping all will return to normal by next week.) With the construction chaos still in every room of the house, I believe I have asserted my Will too frequently this remodel summer and forgotten that place of ease--can you say boiled frog?!! However, the good news is my/our physical environment will soon match our vision of it when we purchased it 6 years ago and we have done a terrific job of attraction!
All in all, this has been a very productive, enlightening experience and seeing my Clean Sweep progress gives me more enthusiasm, and a second wind, for cleaning up the rest of the house this weekend! Thank you one and all for sharing your experiences here and being such inspirations! Blessings-
10:16 PM
Thank you Melanie, et al for such an inspiring, organized Clean Sweep Challenge.
Well, it's Saturday morning (early :))and I'm running high on inspiration because of accomplishing my clean sweep goals yesterday.
I am now ready to work with my VA intern - systems in place and files loaded
I have a new system established for working with my new clients, including the use of Groove for file sharing and project management
My network is compltely backed up online with a new vendor and old files have been cleared away.
WE had a wonderful time out last night with friends because I wasn't weighed down with worry about things that needed to be done - they were already completed!
my office is so nice and neat! - I can find what I need easily - everything is in place for next week and moving forward.
Several new product/service ideas are in the wind.
I am amazed at how much I was able to accomplish with your tools, even though I'd seen the Clean Sweep info before. You have a great way of putting it all together and making it easy to do - I love the Focus Plan!
Thank you for having this day- perhaps you'll make it a regular thing? (like quarterly?)
Blessings to all and Happy Labor Day!
5:14 AM
My husband and I own a very expensive boat that we've been planning on selling for a while now.
Yesterday 9/1/Friday, I put a for sale sign on it and with my husband's help, I wrote up an ad I'm going to put in the paper or on ebay.
It's a start!
10:02 AM
Okay, kids, we're exhausted, but we can see the tops of our desks! Lani had no idea hers was light wood, and Allen was stunned to find a copy of "The Bill of Rights" from 1988 on his desk (a replica, of course).
As for our three goals? We hit 'em all! Four 30-gallon trash bags later, we've reclaimed our office (and sanity!). If you're a visual type, and you'd like to see the "Before" and "After" pics, we've posted them here on our "A-Ha!" Blog.
Thanks again, Melanie!
--Lani & Allen Voivod
www.EpiphaniesInc.com
"A-Ha Yourself!"
3:26 PM
After spending the past 2 days thoroughly enjoying my clean office and getting compliments from my family, I can't help but add another comment regarding the Clean Sweep. To be completely honest, I didn't really have a great attitude about the clean sweep. I did what I was told: I set aside the day and then posted my goals that morning. However, I didn't expect to accomplish my goals. I was totally overwhelmed, but held it together for the sake of the accountability. So I listed 5 goals. Later in the day, after I had posted my results and made my way to my next "commitment", I was asked how my day of cleaning went (I had told them my plans earlier). As I was explaining my success of accomplishing 4 out of 5 of my goals, I realized how strong the power of intention is through simply stating my goals before I started. Later, I thought to myself, "how much more could I have accomplished if I had gone into the day believing I was going to be successful instead of being surprised by my success!" I guess I need to make some changes to my attitude!
10:24 AM
I just wanted to cruise through here to let you know that I got everything done that I wanted to get done on Clean Sweep Day. Not only is my desk (and a lot of my life) wonderfully organized now, but I have the unexpected bounty: I feel so free! Now I can focus on getting my work done without running myself ragged. Thank you so much for this Clean Sweep Challenge ... it was just what I needed.
12:07 PM
This has been ever so helpful. It almost forced me to do the things I really needed to do.
Here are my successes for the day:
1. I reviewed old folders and filed away the ones that I cannot do anything with for now.
2. I have gotten most of the stuff, papers off my desk and either filed them or threw them away.
3. I filed unneeded paperwork in a file. If there was no file, I made one.
4. I have in my upright file on my desk, just the events I will be working with shortly.
5. I put papers that needed to go together in folders, IN folders.
6. I put training materials in one area.
7. I have a game plan for next week to finish what I started today.
Still working on...
Putting papers in some of the files in a logical order.
Clearing off one area of my desk.
I have gotten so much done in one day, I cannot believe it. Thank you for the emails and suggestion to get this done.
6:56 AM
Today is my first Clean Sweep Day and I'm posting my goals!
It’s 12.30 pm on Friday 13th October 2006, and I’ve completed the flyers for my new classes; processed my Personal and Household in-boxes, and I’ve contacted the clients on my contact list.
Now it’s 5.00pm. I’ve contacted the University in relation to my MA, tidied up in the Lair, completed my planning for the week ahead, reduced my incoming Email clutter, and got my heart rate monitor going again.
It feels great to have tied up so many incomplete tasks and energy drains, and to have made positive progress on my business, personal, and household goals. I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved today, and I feel a sense of satisfaction. I feel well-prepared for the week ahead, and I’m looking forward to having a regular Clean Sweep Day every month!
1:14 AM
Clean Sweep done!
I didn't achieve all of the goals set, as I was wildly inaccurate with some of my time estimates, but I've achieved the affect I was looking for!
It's now (really) 5.30 pm, I've done the flyers, processed the Personal In-box (allowed 45 mins, took over two hours), made an appointment with the Uni (I allowed 20 mins and it took two hours including a loooong phone call!), and tidied up in this room (study) - the most active and most cluttered room in the house. It looks positively spacious!
My Physical Environment was the one that came out lowest on my assessment, and it feels so much better now.
I've already diaried in my next Clean Sweep Day for 17th November. Thanks for the inspiration!
9:40 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home