5 Proven Strategies to Declutter Your Mind and Boost Creativity

Overwhelm can be a vicious circle. Feeling like you have too much going on at once weighs heavy on the mind and in turn, creates more stress. We most often hear about clutter in reference to a closet, a garage or basement, where people put things they don’t know what to do with or don’t have space for elsewhere. This happens in the mind too - how many things do you keep listed in your head, worrying about or trying to figure out? 

Clutter Defined

Clutter, as defined in Miriam Webster is “to run in disorder; to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness”.

As entrepreneurs it is easy to feel like work is a 24/7 shift, but only if we allow it to be. We get to choose how we work because if we don’t actively choose, our business will choose it for us and run us. 

If you miss preparing for a meeting because you couldn't find a document, or there is no room on your desk to work and it is a tripping hazard to get to your workspace, these symptoms start with a cluttered mind. 

What I’ve found in business is if you declutter your distractions, this gives rise to clarity. From clarity comes creativity. Creativity solves problems. 

Here are 5 Strategies to Declutter Your Entrepreneur Mind and Boost Creativity

1.  Take a Break: How Short Breaks Can Unleash Entrepreneurial Creativity

These breaks can be mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and environmentally oriented. Combine a few for more benefit! When we take a short ‘declutter’ break, it is a reset, a refresh of our creativity. 

• Mental - ever tried to push through a big task without a break and your eyes felt blurred and sore, struggling to find ideas? Set a timer, step away from the task for 5-15min to have a drink of water, get up and move around. Ask for help if you are stuck on your tasks and struggling for perspective.

• Physical - go for a walk, play with your kids, go to the gym or a yoga class, try a new activity from your “one-day” list 

• Emotional - feelings pent up? Anger, grief, frustration - yell it out (not at someone else), write it out, talk it out with a friend. Physical activity helps burn off this energy too.

• Spiritual - this comes in many forms, from helping others, prayer, contemplation and connecting to your purpose. For some this may mean attending church, for others, this may be journalling and connecting to the inner higher self. 

• Environmental - head outside, go out for lunch, visit a park. Need a longer break? Head out on a retreat, book a weekend getaway or take a long-awaited vacation. These ideas will help you gain a fresh perspective and see life, business and the world in new ways.

2.  Clarify Your Business Purpose: The Power of Writing Down Your Values and Your Why

Writing down your values and the Why of your business brings focus, purpose and clarity back to what you are doing. It is easy in business to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and lose sight of your vision.

Building a business takes time and requires constant decision-making. When you feel like you are getting off track, feeling overwhelmed or your to-do list is too long, narrow it down by returning to your values. Why did you start your business? What is meaningful to you? This helps keep you centred. 

For example, when I started my own business after finishing my MBA degree, my Why encompassed having the flexibility to work remotely, on my own schedule, be accessible to my children and create a company I am passionate about. This Why also includes how I can serve others to grow prosperous, joy-filled and empowering businesses of their own.

Entrepreneurship requires a heap of energy, creativity and determination to see it through! To stay focused and move forward continually align yourself with your strategy, values and your Why.

3.  Master Your To-Do List: Strategies for Prioritizing and Delegating Tasks

Create a list - write down everything on your mind (yes this list initially will look like pea soup). Next, highlight the important things (hint - look at your values and your Why to know where to start) as that is what you want to prioritize. The smaller tasks will need to flow from the prioritized items.

Look at that list, where you will see lots of notes and some highlighted material. Ask yourself:

• What can you delete from the list? 

• What can you delegate to others? 

• What do you want to keep, but don’t have time for right now? Grab a notebook and start an idea book. During strategic planning meetings, you can reference the idea book to see if you want to start something new and assign a date to it.

• What do you need to put in your calendar? I love using Google Calendar as I put notes in on calendar dates to remind me what needs to be done on a day or a week. Not just meetings, but project steps too.

4.  Optimize Your Workspace: Create an Environment That Fosters Creativity

Look at your workspace - is it well-lit? Is it quiet? Is it a mess of paper and clutter? Our environment is often a clue as to what state our mind is in.

Set aside time to look at your workspace and remove items that do not belong there. Ask yourself:

• Is this item related to my business?

• Is it related to a past, current or future project?

• Does it inspire me and make me feel good?

• Does it bring up feelings of guilt or shame? (P.S. These need to go)

• Is it someone else’s and needs to be returned to the owner? (If so take it out of your space)

• If it is hardcopy, can it be scanned and digitally filed or recycled?

• Does the space reflect you or someone else?

5.  Declutter Your Life: An Action Plan to Eliminate Mental and Physical Clutter

Create an action plan - start letting go of what you no longer need - thoughts, projects, physical clutter. If it doesn’t reflect a special memory or where you want to go in life, it doesn’t belong in your mental or physical space. 

This extends beyond your workspace and into your living space. How we show up in life significantly contributes to what our lives will look like. If you are really struggling in one or more areas of your life, this will be affecting the other areas of your life, to varying degrees.

There are numerous resources available to help you declutter your life and let go of what causes you pain, suffering, guilt, and shame. Here are a few that can help:

•  Reading, taking care of yourself (hint: take breaks)

• Talking to a friend or therapist, taking a class, meeting with a coach or consultant

• Trying something new will stretch your comfort zone and can help you see what old mental, emotional and physical clutter you are holding onto. It will make it easier to let go.

Sometimes insight shows up as an aha moment, otherwise, it is a gradual shift over time and you recognize what is no longer serving you or your business.

Conclusion

We have covered 5 key strategies to clear your mind of clutter and boost your creativity. These include taking a break, clarifying your purpose, mastering your to-do list, assessing your working environment and finally, creating an action plan.

Remember, decluttering the mind takes practice, strategy and a bit of work to clear out the cobwebs and get focused on what matters to you. We can't be everything to everyone, or do the tasks of 10 people. Sticking to what your priorities are in your business and being ok with letting go of that which does not fit, is the ideal starting point for clearing clutter. Take it one step at a time, choosing what resonates with you and you will find your way in freeing your mind to create space for peace and creativity.

Entrepreneurs have dreams, keep sight of yours. There are always solutions to any problem and it is ok to ask for help when you need it. 

Do you have something that is troubling you in your business, but have been avoiding it due to overwhelm? 

Click HERE for a free 30-minute discovery call and we can look at customized options to help you clear the clutter!