Spring Clean Your Life

I tend to set personal goals this time of the year and thought I’d share my way of Spring Cleaning my whole life, not just the house. It makes it easier for me to focus on my goals when all aspects of my life are in place. Here are some tips to start eliminating negative energy to begin a fresh and shiny start:

Relationships

All types--romantic, friendly, family, and parental. I feel like this is one of the most important aspects since the energy around you can impact your ability to stay focused and on track. Start by critiquing yourself—could you be a better parent, friend, spouse, daughter/son, sister? I’m sure we can all agree that support feels very good; it’s refreshing to know that someone is out there rooting for you, when you’re up and when you’re down. But don’t be a leech; I try to work on constantly giving back to those that matter.

Bad Seeds? Pull the Weeds

Sometimes we have to take a step back, assess the company we keep, and categorize the people in our lives. I’m not saying this in a bad way…I mean, it’s easy to confuse acquaintances with friends and then become disappointed when we’ve expected too much or too little from someone. Honestly, sometimes it necessary to demote the people that you thought were true “friends.”---just because you’ve known somebody for several years does not mean they are a good friend; quantity does not equal quality. Don’t disappoint yourself, be real with yourself. Identify the bad seeds in your garden and gently wean yourself out of their negative orbit. Real family and friends want to see you happy. They enjoy listening and providing support. They appreciate your advice and support. True friends enjoy being around you, even if it happens occasionally. Real friends are there, even when they can’t always be there. Relationships must have mutual, positive energy to be successful. Play your part too.

Work

With the state of our economy, jobs and successful careers have become privileges. I’m sure we all have our days when we are just so sick of getting up in the morning and take for granted the fact that we’re grateful to have a job or career. Try not to be a negative Nancy at work; it’s extremely exhausting and whether they say it or not, your co-workers are annoyed by your presence. When I begin to feel drained at work, I try to focus on what I can do to strengthen my skills and stimulate my thoughts. Regardless of who you work for, you are your own brand. Stay true to yourself and consistently deliver quality results. You’ll feel better knowing you’re the master of the most successful empire—YOU!

Spirituality

Regardless of your religion, it’s refreshing to have some type of spiritual connection. Think about joining a church or engaging in more activities at church; consider Yoga and Mediation to center yourself and awaken your conscious. Strong spiritual connections nurture positive energy, which is the key to happiness----in my opinion.

Health and Fitness

Mmmm---Big Mac, Whopper, Burritos, Milk Shakes---oh, wait, I got a lil' distracted. Bad food tastes soooooo good!!! But its not worth your health---and for the naturally slim people reading this: you may look good on the outside bur your insides are butt ugly! (jus sayin) With hard work and prayer----lots of it---I have managed to incorporate healthier foods into my diet. Let me be clear, I still eat my junk food, but now I also eat more happy food. I remember someone encouraging me to include at least one day of raw foods to re-energize my body. Not yucky raw--but salads, sandwiches, fruits, veggies, sushi--essentially a fresh, cold diet. I also drink at least three bottles of water a day and tons of vitamins. Now your girl has a habit of dedicating at least three days that includes a cold diet and light exercise (heyyy!). For example, cold pasta salad, sandwich, bread, water, and squats. Three days a week and the other four is dedicated to junk food. That works for me, but everyone is different. Find what works for you and it'll feel better to know that you're taking care of yourself---inside and out. You'll also have more natural energy. Toss the red bull and drink some water--the BEST and cheapest energy drink =)

Psychological

Everyone that knows me knows that I’m a psychological junkie. You have to have an understanding of behavior to understand life. But how real is it to assess everyone else if you don’t have the courage to assess yourself? You have to constantly tap into your conscious to stay true to yourself. I’m constantly working on my brand as Sophia. Where would we be with no goals and aspirations? We’d be alive but not living. So I make it a point to set goals often. But these goals should also include those that are emotional and psychological—what are my weaknesses and strengths? Then identify ways to fix the issues and strengthen the assets.

De-clutter your life and I promise, you will start to see a “now improved” version of yourself in the mirror. I’ve already gotten started and things are looking very shiny right now =)