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The Ezine of www.Abundant-Private-Practices.com

The Importance of Environment

Working with a client this morning I was reminded of the importance of having an environment that works well.

Just last week the Universe conspired to offer me a beautiful bookcase for my office. 

I had been bemoaning, rather loudly sometimes, the fact that my office “just wasn’t working for me”.  So after many spectacular dummy spits on my part as I searched piles of paper and struggled to find whatever needed to be found, I guess the powers that be in the “Universal Dispatch Department” decided they would give me a hand. 

Out of the blue a friend emailed to ask if I wanted to buy a bookcase and would I like to come around and see the bookcase?  Hmmm,  the synchronicity of this offer was too much for me to turn down so a meeting was duly organised and the bookcase deal signed and sealed over a cup of peppermint tea, a ginger biscuit and a couple of squares of organic chocolate. 

Key Learning Point: A deal that starts with chocolate is destined for success.

A couple of days later – the bookcase got delivered.  Sadly there was no hope of it fighting its way into the office in its current lay out.  So until I could bear it no more the bookcase sat forlorn and lonely in the hallway looking sad and sorry at being ousted from one household and hardly welcomed with due pomp and ceremony into its new home.

So on my designated “Get It Done Day” the task of cleaning my office got serious.  I even employed a tape measure, not my usual guess and go approach.

After some lame attempts at moving things around and getting no where fast, I needed to employ my new mantra - FOCUS - ACTION - FINISH. The only answer was to get really focused and switch the project into warp drive then move everything out into the hall to meet the new bookcase.  This proved a particularly cunning plan as it allowed the office furniture equivalent of bum sniffing in dogs to occur, and allowed sufficient space to plan the new layout. 

Key Learning Point: Be like the Native American Indians and observe the winged ones and the four legged ones to gain knowledge and wisdom.

Oh dear, then the reality of not having this much blank floor space since 2002 when I moved in hit.  There were some big piles of fluff in some corners and a big sweeping and vacuuming job was undertaken.  I would have to be one of the world’s least domesticated people but even I was embarrassed how much dirt was lurking.  I was feeling pretty bad about it because of course this sort of thing puts me out of alignment with myself and what I want for my business so I felt fantastic once it was swept.

Now with a clean space looking like a nice white canvas upon which to paint, in came the now newly bonded furniture and boy did it feel good!  With great gusto I started to move things around and eventually every last piece of space measured out to create a beautiful wall of functionality.  Everything found a home and everything just fitted perfectly (after about 5 hours and most of the swear words I learnt from rock and roll days repeated without mercy).  Now I feel back in alignment where things can flow with ease and elegance.

Have you ever noticed that once you get on a roll you can’t stop?  Well for a long time I’ve been aware if I had a web cam I would be sitting in front of a very boring blank wall.  In another synchronistic moment of beauty I worked out what I was going to do to overcome that problem.  You can watch my very first YouTube video to see what I created - even I’m impressed!!  By clicking here you can see what I put on the back wall. I’m sorry I filmed it from my mobile phone so the quality is a bit naff but you will get the general idea!  How fun to have YouTube worked out. 

What lessons have I learnt from this exercise:

1. Being in alignment is REALLY important.
   
   
2. I love going to work now, coming in each morning is a joy – although the commute up the hall from the kitchen can be hell at times! Sorry to anyone who sits in traffic going to work.
   
   
3. The new space is incredibly functional with most things at arms length now.
   
   
4. I don’t get so tired working in here and I am much more productive now.
   
   
5. Things flow – for the first time in nearly two years the media are back.  After the big clean up and reorganise, out of the blue this week the ABC in Perth phoned and I was interviewed today about my Tree Change.
   
   
6. I can find things quickly now so have more time for creative projects like getting Forums and YouTube working.
   
   
7. My client files are treated with more respect and dignity, which mirrors and aligns with how I truly care about my clients.
   
   
8. I’m not embarrassed like I was of the old mess and don’t have to keep apologising for the space.
   
   
9. I’m surrounded by order which calms my overactive brain.
   
   
10. My office reflects me and my business now (as quirky as both are!)

Key Learning Point: Good Feng Shui in your office or treatment room is really important. 

Why not have a “Get It Done Day” of your own this month and clean up your office treatment room or workroom.  Joyous and harmonious spaces are very attractive on all levels and don’t forget to make space for new opportunities and new clients after your task is complete. 

Also don't forget to sit or lay where your clients do and just observe what they can see - just make sure it is the image you want to portray.

There are some excellent Feng Shui tips to help you get your environment energetically correct at this link. Many thanks to Rachel Ross of Fifth Element Feng Shui for providing the information for you.

My most favourite office tool

Do you want to see my most favourite office tool? If you visit my blog I'll reveal the item that has helped me the most in creating order from chaos in my office.

Click Here to Visit My Blog

Good luck and don’t forget = FOCUS – ACTION - FINISH!