1. Show and Tell

The expression “You know?” is everywhere in our culture both as a filler and also a means of getting confirmation that what we just said was understood. But often the mental image that comes up for the listener may not be the thought you were trying to convey. Ever wonder why Jesus often spoke in parables? Because it directs the mental image, is easy to understand, and drives home the verbal message. So when you attempt to explain something try to follow it up with a short story that allows the person listening to get a mental image of the situation you are trying to convey. For example: “When you said that I thought about how it feels like to …” or, “When you said that I felt like…” Its a little work to master at first but the trick is be brief.

2. The One Touch Rule

If you are a procrastinator, like me, you constantly find yourself moving something from one place to another with the intent of getting it to its ultimate destination at a later time. To combat this I established what I call the One Touch Rule. Each time you touch something, start with the idea that you only want to touch it one time and directly take it to where it needs to be. Once I started doing this I was amazed how much time it freed up by not having to look for something all over the house.

3. Make your own mentor

We all wish we had our own personal mentor to show us the ropes for different things and feel frustrated if we don’t have anyone. I firmly believe in vicarious experience and constantly use biographies of all kinds as a one removed mentor. Start by thinking of a subject and then research information on someone associated with it. Definitely feel free to roam beyond the usual suspects. You do not have to read the entire book but skim through to the parts that are of interest to you. You will be surprised how much information you pick up this way.

4. Learning to let go

Clutter drowns our creativity and most of the time we hold on to something not because it is useful but for the emotional attachment we attribute to that item. That hockey stick collecting dust in the corner can’t be used in Florida but each time you view it you remember the winning goal you scored ten years ago in Denver. Savor that memory but also realize it is time to let some of the things go. Try making a scrap book or web album of pictures of the items as one method of reliving the memory without keeping all the stuff. A garage sale also helps to earn extra cash and sends the items off to good homes.