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One of the reasons affirmations don’t often work is that an important component may be missing and that component is engaging your body while reciting the phrase.  It’s easy for many of us to intellectualize and live in the analytical world.  Sometimes it’s safer there but it’s not where results come from or from where outcomes emerge.  These come from your body.

Intentions are critical to Feng Shui success. They are integral to the process of implementing adjustments and making changes in the environment.  And they must come from the heart.  Here are some points to consider when making an intention for your work—-or for your life.

1. You must believe that your intention is achievable.  If you can’t quite believe it, it probably won’t happen.
2. It must be true for you so that you can actually feel the truth of it in your body.  You may even visualize the intention playing out in your life.
3. Your intention must have a stretch component.  It takes you beyond where you are yet is within the realm of possibility.  If you meet resistance, this may be your ego getting in the way.
4. Believe that you are worthy and deserve this outcome.  Trust that you can step into the proverbial shoes of this intention.
5. Forget about how exactly this is going to happen.  Your job is only to keep feeling your intention in your body.

Crafting an intention takes time and thought and it must be unique to you.  You may have an intention for your work and a different intention for your personal life.  Each day can bring a new intention for yourself.  Once you’ve constructed one you will see that they all build on one another.  Just as with a particular style of clothes, you will find yourself gravitating toward similar intentions that all go together but get accessorized a bit differently with different circumstances.

Every year about now I watch the soon-to-be marathon runners start their training.  The marathon goes right by our house so those in training run the course to get used to the rise and fall of the road. I can only imagine their dedication and what it takes to get in shape. I’m also inspired by those who haven’t reached their perfect running gait, who are visibly being challenged by the time they reach mile 8 where we live—–only one-third of the way to the finish line—yet continue to persevere through their pain. Anyone knows that if you want to run a marathon, you don’t just don the outfit, put on the shoes and head out. It takes training, time and tenacity. If you can’t commit to that, then running isn’t for you. You could get hurt, de-railing any running goals for the future.

People run for different reasons. Some people want to lose weight and get in better shape; some run because it’s an admirable goal; some run to get over a health issue; others have been running in one form or another for most of their lives so taking up the sport is life as usual.

The same mindset for running can be applied to de-cluttering. It takes time, tenacity, and yes, training. Got clutter? Before you decide you don’t, let me assure you that we all do. Some more than others, but there are inevitably pockets, if not whole rooms, where there are things that no longer serve you, are neither useful nor pleasant for you, or you’ve outgrown what they used to represent to you.

Here’s how to apply running principles to the process of de-cluttering. . .

1. Set goals: It’s not a good idea to jump right into a de-cluttering project without first assessing the reality of the situation and why you want to de-clutter in the first place. Hint: take photos of the space you intend to transform—those will become important later. Some questions to ask: What is it about the clutter that is painful to me now? How does my clutter make me feel? How do I want to feel when I’m done with this project?

2. Warm-up: Start small so you don’t pull your de-cluttering muscle. If this is a big project (like a basement or attic), you don’t want to get overwhelmed and overcome—-it’s a sure way to burn out and sabotage the process. Keep your focus on the smallest steps and avoid getting distracted by the enormity of your project. Some questions to ask: Is there one drawer or one shelf where I can begin? Maybe one box? Or one corner?

3. Consistent practice: Consistency will keep you on track. Every day in a small way, keep your de-cluttering plan on track. Regularity is the secret to getting to the bottom of clutter. Some questions to ask: Am I willing to plan a short interval of time each and every day to this project? Can I promise myself that each day I will eliminate/remove/toss 9 items?

4. Celebrate specific mile markers: As you throw out or give away some of your old treasures-turned-clutter, be sure to spend a moment patting yourself on the back for your personal best. Some questions to ask: Can I find gratitude for the things I’m releasing? Can I appreciate how important they once were to me or someone else as I move them out of my space?

5. Finish line: This is the time to truly celebrate. Take photos of the transformation and compare to the ones you took at the beginning of the project. Congratulate yourself on freeing your space and yourself. Some questions to ask: Am I happy with the results? Are there further changes that can be made? Do I love the space now?

CAUTION: Clutter will return—it will find its way back to the area you just de-cluttered or it will find a new place to call home. In order to avoid having to run another marathon to deal with the issue, keep your clutter muscle toned and in shape through frequent use. You can win this race, one step at a time.

These days a lot of people I’m seeing are dealing with work issues. Some are caught in a job they hate but don’t dare leave with the economy the way it is. Despite the disdain of their job, they’re just thankful to have one, so they put up with bad working conditions and long hours. Others just wish they had something that was bringing in money. They want a quick Feng Shui fix to make it all better.

There’s a problem with that because Feng Shui is driven by a participant’s ultimate intention. Without an examination of what that could entail, placing a black rug in the Career area or in the north part of the house, traditional Feng Shui adjustments, will not necessarily bring about changes. It’s like giving a six-year-old the car keys and asking them to run an errand. Yes, the car works, but the little driver isn’t clear on the concept.

What isn’t clear about the concept of your job? This is the question that should be asked. I hear people say they’ve tried everything to get a new job and no one hires them. I hear people say they’ve tried changing the situation at work, but no one listens. It’s the wrong approach. Rather than trying to make others change, the most productive approach is to change your idea of a job. This is called “getting clear.”

Metaphoric language is the main dialect spoken in Feng Shui. In other words, when you’re feeling drained, you look for the physical drain in your home that may be symbolically representing your condition. If you hear yourself say you’re “fried,” then you look for the physical fire element that may be at the heart of the matter. When you’re lacking clarity, you find where your space is not clear.

The Feng Shui way to change your job is to make sure you understand your motivations, your preferences, and your intentions. That means rather than focus on getting a job, you focus on your feelings around getting a job. What motivates you? What is your ideal job? What is the ultimate goal in having a job besides the money thing? You access this information by getting clear.

In fact, I call this the clear off/clear out/clear up approach.

Clear off horizontal surfaces (desk, dresser, tables, etc.) to mirror the clarity of purpose in your mind.

Clear out closets, garage, basement, etc., to reflect your open mind.

Clear up any “open loops”—unfinished business, matters that need to be settled, sentiments that need to be expressed—to close up that loop and prepare you mentally and emotionally for the next step.

Does this replace sending out resumes or going on interviews? Of course not. Does this replace the implementation of traditional Feng Shui cures? Of course not. But both actions will be so much more effective if you’ve cleared the air.