In a household with kids our house is lived in. Sand and dirt collect in the hallway and stairs, then gets its way around the house. Everything settles and collects in corners or piles. "Papa where are my shoes?" "I need my Russian books, I had them last night!" Just an example of the daily questions. But over time stuff collects to a point where a big clean up is needed.
Not the daily sweep up, washing, cooking and dishes: a Spring clean. And we did that yesterday!
Now this is not only good for finding those long lost CD's, papers or school books (under the pile of papers on your desk or in the corner next to the Lego). A spring clean means sorting out the winter clothes and everything that is too small and making space for a new look. It means a clear view.
A quick focus on what we wanted to achieve during breakfast - the big picture and goal setting for the day. A review of tasks and areas of focus - what needs to be done. Some groans, some questions. And who wants to clean the windows? "Me... me... me... me!"
Clean the windows!
I had forgotten what a difference clean windows makes. "How long has that tree been there Papa?" Clean windows means being able to take a fresh look at the world outside. A clear view.
Because its now Officially Spring Time, a chance to get back into Gardening with a passion too. Some of that gardening I will be done at the office. Trimming dead files. Dumping completed projects to the archive and making plans for an improved work space on two levels - sitting and standing.
I find the way I use GTD an active way of working. Jumping up to make a cup of coffee... then filing the project papers... helping the kids... checking the mail... making notes for an ongoing project (and putting it in the right place to continue later)... a phone call or two. Not to mention the wash, cooking, shopping and everything else.
Clear vision and a weekly review.
I will have to describe a typical week sometime soon, I sometimes I don't realize how much I do get done with GTD during a week. Especially when my attention gets stuck on what is not working. It is hard to remember that which gets done in auto-pilot - like the phone call or conversation in the car and then the question "did you see that sign back there Papa?" No! Good habits are great to have and to learn, like a regular review of current status, which is a big help to remind me of where I am and what I want to achieve. The weekly review.
Clear vision! It's like seeing the clear blue sky after a long period of dull weather. And then to have clean windows too, brings back the connection between the runway and my higher goals.
How do you do your Spring cleaning? What great ideas did you get this week? What stuff did you discover after thingking it forever lost? GTD gives me clear vision and the kids love helping there too!
