Energy Drainers

In the movie, Toy Story, Cowboy Woody is famous for his oft repeated line, “There’s a snake in my boots.” As we consider the idea of clutter for the next few weeks, let me tap into a similar thought, “There’s a fox in my life.” Not a literal fox, of course, but something small and sneaky, almost unidentifiable, that has crept into my life and eaten away at my opportunity for success. Perhaps you can relate.

Small Things Do Great Damage

King Solomon in the Old Testament shares a wise exhortation with us, “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyard” Song of Solomon 2:15. Little foxes are known for sneaking in and spoiling the luscious fruit.

The Australian agricultural department catalogs foxes destructive power in these ways: eating the harvest, ruining choice fruit, gnawing on sprinklers and more. Small things can do great damage. What little foxes are ruining your organizational vineyard before it yields its fruit?

As I considered this question, images began to flood my mind. Unanswered email, unreturned phone calls, unfiled papers, undone tasks – there can be countless things that fill our work and life space with clutter, chaos, confusion, and conflict. Those little foxes seem small but inexorably they eat away at our peaceful productivity.

Practical Steps to Take

1. Sit down and identify your ‘little foxes.’ List both your energy drainers at work and your energy drainers at home.

2. Count the cost. Anything you tolerate has a cost: time, inconvenience, frustration and more. Identify the cost of each ‘little fox’ and decide if it is worth it.

3. Do something about it. You have four choices with each item on your list:

• Do it
• Delegate it
• Dump it
• Defer it (use this one sparingly!)

Now re-imagine your life. Your home and work space are beautifully decorated, soothing to the senses and a delight to your eyes. You arrive each day knowing that each tool you need will be at your finger-tips and perform as expected. Your chair is comfortable, your files are ordered, and your computer ready to go.

At home, the counters are clean, the cupboards full, the mail sorted, and the laundry done. Truly, this environment will feed your spirit and inspire your imagination. Enjoy!

Come back next week for more helpful decluttering tips.