The New Year is a great time to de-clutter your life.
Reading Marie Kondo’s bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, may not seem like normal reading fodder for a Business Coach Blogger.
However, let me provide some context.
I was recommended the book through Tim Ferriss’ brilliant podcast when he interviewed the amazing Marie Kondo.
Marie is a Japanese woman who authentically loves organizing space to remove clutter, disorder and create an optimal environment for true happiness.
I purchased the book with a view to organizing our home. However, what I learnt from Marie was much more powerful.
Marie Kondo’s work has even spawned a verb ‘Kondoing’ which refers to the doing the disciplines around her simple, effective way to banish clutter forever.
Marie’s motto in deciding whether to keep items or discard them is “Does the item spark joy?”.
If it doesn’t, ditch it.
But how do you go through all your stuff?
Marie breaks all your belongings into specific categories and you move through the decluttering of your home one category at a time.
The categories (in order) are:
- Clothes
- Books
- Paperwork
- Komono (miscellaneous items)
- Sentimental items (heirlooms, photos, keepsakes etc)
The method is to start with the easiest category of clothes and work through to the most challenging being sentimental items.
In each category, you process all items asking yourself whether they spark joy.
Anything that doesn’t spark joy is removed through gifting, recycling or rubbish.
Everything you decide to keep must be stored with gratification in its own place.
The result is a functional environment without clutter having kept belongings that bring joy. All stored neatly away creating a sense of order.
Your home is your sanctuary so respect the sanctuary.
Kondoing the house got me thinking about Kondoing your business.
So, indulge me in taking the following challenge.
Review your business life and answer the following questions:
- Does my business spark joy in me?
- Do the people in my team around me spark joy?
- Does my functional role spark joy in me?
- Do my products and services spark joy when I touch them or think about them?
- Do my customers spark joy in me?
- Where you have answered in the negative, now ask yourself why these things don’t spark joy in you?
If you can change your feeling to joy in viewing the above questions, then act on it and make changes.
If you can’t find joy in an activity, do you need to delegate or drop the activity?
If you can’t find joy in a relationship, do you need to diminish or cease the relationship?
And here’s the big one:
If your business does not spark joy in you, should you consider pursuing another business interest?
Life is too short to be unhappy in business.
Nor are you likely to be a leader in your industry if your business doesn’t truly spark joy within you.
Competitors sparked by joy will be hungrier and more prepared to run the extra miles and climb more mountains to be best in class.
Better to pause, pivot and find joy in business.
After all, in old age, won’t you want to reflect on a business life sparked by joy.
Now is the time to reflect.
Kondo your business.
To start creating sustainable success in your business and life, download a copy of my eBook 'The Success Algorithm' which details my process to work less and earn more. You can get a free copy on the Giveaways page of my website. Plus some bonus videos from my Fourth Moon video series to reach your goals sooner!
All the best,
Darren K Bourke