Does your space support what you need to do there? Let’s keep this simple! Stand in the doorway and observe your space. Now ask these questions:

Take a look at your space…

What works in this space?

What does not work?

Where are the “danger” zones?

What’s easiest to remove?

If you identified one or more items you can easily remove, do it! You will create impetus to make more changes to your space!

When you transform your space, your life will change.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       My My recent office transformation changed my life. Removing outdated piles of papers and rearranging furniture to create a smoother flow made room in my life for two new activities: Bikram yoga and African drumming! Both enrich my life.

Before changing my office, I was too overwhelmed to begin a new activity.  After I transformed my office, my behavior changed, because I was open to trying something new.

Creating more space in my office opened the door for new clients to enter. Several people have called to book Successful Space consultations, and I helped them to improve their spaces. These people moved beyond the roadblocks in their lives, because they eliminated the trouble spots in their space.

When you create your very own Successful Space, you take care of yourself, because you are free from your burdens!

If you want to get your life moving and are not sure where to start, a Successful Space Transformation evaluation to pinpoint your goals helps you begin a course of action to live your ideal life!

To your success!

Mary

What is your dream? What steps are you taking to fulfill it?

Recently I drove through my town and passed my piano teacher running on the side of the road.  From the moment I began studying with him he inspired me to accomplish my goals – not because of his musical accomplishments which are extremely impressive, but because of his consistent training to complete 26 consecutive Boston Marathons.

How does my teacher run in the world’s most prestigious marathon year after year? Simple! He never misses a day of running. In fact, my teacher never missed a day of running for almost 32 years. Even the day his son was born, he jogged a mile at 11:50pm so he could say he ran that day.

My teacher’s running streak ended one Thanksgiving when he ran in a 5-mile turkey trot and had a heart attack. His doctor demanded that he take six weeks off from running to heal. But that didn’t hold my teacher back. He resumed running in January and ran the Boston Marathon in April.

I decided that if my teacher hadn’t missed a day of running in 32 years, I would not miss a day of practicing. After two years, I was really good. The consistent practice made me competent and confident.

One step at a time…

What is your dream? What steps are you taking to fulfill it? Follow these three tips to move closer to your goal.

1. Get inspired by someone who takes consistent steps to achieve their dream.

2. Keep the positive mindset of “I can do it.”

3. Take a small consistent step one day at a time, because practice makes perfect.

To your success,

Mary

The S.P.A.C.E. Transformation System has met many challenges, but none as great the one I created in my own office! My desk surface was piled with stacks of papers. Carpet installers were scheduled and I had to clean sweep the space.

Clean Sweep

For the first time in 18 years I removed everything from the room. Then I made a vow. Only the things I currently need for my business go back into my office. I stacked the outdated piles neatly along the wall in the hallway. Getting these freeloaders out of my office created more space to consider a better furniture setup. My new arrangement enables me to move more freely around my office.

Be More Productive

Recently my husband moved the paper piles back into my office, and I moved them out. Why? I really enjoy my spacious office. I do not want to fill it up again. Before I transformed my office, I didn’t like working there. Now I love being in the room. I think clearly and I am more productive.

Space Outside = Space Inside

By applying the S.P.A.C.E. Transformation System to my office, I dusted off my business and showed it some respect. I created space for my business to unfold in the best ways for me. Recently a wonderful opportunity came my way! To know who you are and what you want, you need space outside and inside. A transformed space helps you access your true nature and to become clear about what you want. Then your ideal life will unfold!

Get Some Help!

The piles in my office had me so stuck that I couldn’t have transformed my office on my own. By helping me to move everything out of the space, my husband enabled me to move forward.

Do you want to transform your space but feel too stuck to begin? Start by letting go of one item. The next day let go of another. By letting go of the old, you make from for the new.

Wow! What a difference!

You are creating space for new opportunities to pour into your business!

Gain clutter clarity by join my current series on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SuccessfulSpaces

To Your Success,
Mary

Have you ever worked in the same space for a long time without making changes to it?   I have a confession to make! For a few years my overloaded office hemmed me in, and I couldn’t dig my way out! Coincidentally, my work felt like a chore! The same work I was passionate about dragged me down. I even considered giving it up.

Although I coach people to transform their spaces to live their ideal lives, I failed to see the connection between the state of my office and the quality of my work! Sure a little voice kept telling me to deal with old piles of papers, but I never found the time! I plodded along unhappily in my messy and outdated office. Had I been one of my clients I would have said, “To love your work, you need to work in a space you love.”

Still did not apply this wisdom to myself, and I never thought to update my own office! Finally my husband suggested we recarpet my daughter’s bedroom across the hall from my office. That’s when I realized that my office was the only room with the original carpet installed 18 years ago when we built the house. The rug had a big pet stain which I covered up with and area rug.

it would be cost effective to carpet both rooms at the same time! And that’s how my office S.P.A.C.E. Transformation began – and with fabulous results in my business! In my next post I will describe my own process and show you pictures of my beautiful office.

Meanwhile, you can apply Steps 1 -3 of my S.P.A.C.E. Transformation to your work space:

1.   Strategize: What goals do you want your work space to support? What do you want to do in your space?

2.   Picture your ideal life: What do you want to accomplish in your work?

3.   Assess your space: Identify your space’s positive and negative features. How do you want to feel in your office? Does your office currently support your strategy? Identify the negative features that are blocking your success.

I look forward to telling you how I removed the blocks to my success! Until then, enjoy the first stages of your office transformation.

I invite you to enjoy my Facebook series on Clutter Clarity. https://www.facebook.com/SuccessfulSpaces?ref=hl

Last week I talked about the system my daughter used to clear massive clutter from her bedroom. I hope you are inspired to begin clearing some of your clutter using these four steps:

1.   Sort through your possessions a drawer, a pile or a closet at a time.

2.   Place items you are not using in one of four bags labeled Trash, Donate, Consign, and Store.

3.   Get the Trash, Donate and Consign bags out of your house.

4.   Take a break from clutter clearing by finding a balance between activity and rest.

Freeloader!!

I have been following these steps for a couple of weeks and have eliminated many freeloaders taking up precious space in my home including a manual on coaching tennis. Of course I have never coached tennis! Getting these freeloaders out of my house creates space to support my evolving interests. Now I am going to try African drumming!

If you want to be a NOW person living in today, clear out at least one item you don’t love, use or need and experience a physical or an emotional release! You will create an opening to begin living your ideal life!

ATTENTION!

Join me on Facebook for a series of 10 Tips to Create a Successful Office Space and a More Productive You.   Successful Spaces on Facebook

See you there!

In May, my daughter came home from college, dumped her jeep load of clothing and stuff in her bedroom, packed a large suitcase and went to New York City to begin a job. All fall her room sat stuffed with piles, boxes and storage containers. I felt suffocated every time I opened her bedroom door!

Over Thanksgiving my husband suggested we re-carpet her room. I selected the carpet and set the January 11, 2013 installation date. Over Christmas our daughter had to sort through her belongings. I taped four large trash bags to the railing outside her room and labeled them: Trash, Donate, Consign and Store in Attic.

With the Donate and Consign bags full, her room began to open up and breathe. Removing things from her room and taking them out of the house has literally untangled knots inside my body and inspired me to clear some of my own clutter.

People say my home is pretty clutter-free. Shows you what people know. In truth I have lots of clutter a clutter like everybody else. I am just good at hiding it. Now I want to talk the process of de-cluttering. Yes, it’s trilling to find possessions that are taking up space and not paying any rent! And yes it’s great to throw those freeloaders out!

However there are always the “in-betweeners.” Should they go or should they stay? These decisions cause a new kind of stress. Who do the “in-betweeners” belong to? My husband? My kids? I have rule that I must take these things to their rightful owner and ask them to decide. This is called “shifting the stress.”

Back to my things. I am amazed at what I have found: a pair of outdated eye glasses, an incense holder, a ukulele instruction book. I don’t even have a ukulele! I also found eleven packs of glossy photo paper that came with my computer ink. I don’t print my own photos. So many outdated objects were taking up space on bookshelves and in drawers and not only clogging up my house but also clogging up my mind.

Less Stuff = More Energy

As I move unused items out of my house, I find I have more energy. I feel so good that each day I look forward to sorting through a drawer, or a closet or a pile of papers to see what I can eliminate. Because we are connected to our possessions, as I make changes on the outside, energy shifts inside of my body affecting my emotions.

Tune into Your Space, Tune into Yourself

How do I know the right time to stop sorting through things and weeding out the clutter? I notice that I feel wired and tired. Sometimes I feel tightness in my throat. When I get to this point, I know I need to leave my space and take a break.

Find Balance between Activity and Rest

Today, turned my back on a pile of paper I was sorting and drove to conservation land in town to cross country ski. The snow-covered field and clear blue sky gave me the feeling of spaciousness I needed for energy to settle inside me as a result of making changes to my surroundings. I want to bring this same spaciousness and clarity and spiritual uplifting back into my house.

I am sure you have your own ukulele instruction book taking up space and not paying any rent in your space. I know you’ll feel better when you get some of your freeloaders out. Feel the emotional relief!

My husband and me enjoying life together!

The end of 2012 is the perfect time to pause and celebrate our successes. Too often we forge ahead to meet the next challenge without noticing how good we already are! I hope my list inspires you to make your own.

1. One month following one of my residential consultations, an unemployed husband received five job offers!

2. I helped three clients change their living spaces to transition more smoothly through a divorce. They found new partners and are happier than ever.

3. A few months following my Successful Space consultation in a 10-year old boy’s bedroom, he made the honor roll.

4. After giving a simple adjustment to the bedroom of a son who “ruled the roost,” the family dynamic improved and the parents took charge.

5. A week after applying my Space Transformation System to a realtor’s office, she sold a $6.2 million home!

6. Three home owners who had their properties on the market for a year with no acceptable offers, sold their homes for good prices within two weeks of performing the “Selling the House” ritual.

7. A divorcee had to sell the home he had raised his family in and was having a difficult time leaving his spacious, sunny space. We performed ceremony on the property. He felt closure and was able to move peacefully to his new home.

8. A couple building a new home asked me to review their architectural plans. I found some interior design that could have lead to family conflict and roadblocks in life. The couple asked the architect to redesign these areas which created a more successful home for the family.

9. I participated in the design stage of a Boston Fashion Designer’s clothing boutique at the Copley Fairmont Hotel. We also performed a ritual to ensure business success. The Boutique has prospered through the economic downturn and thrives today in the same location.

10. Two young career women used my adjustments to ensure successful job interviews. The engineering student was offered a job with a respected business consulting firm in Charlotte, NC. Her employed sister received a coveted assignment in New York City.

WOW! At first I was not sure I could make a list of ten accomplishments, but now I know my list can even grow! Get started on your list. You will see how great you already are!

To your Success in 2013!

Mary Roberts – www.successfulspaces.com

Have you seen The Queen of Versailles, a documentary film about a billionaire couple‘s construction of a mega mansion inspired by Versailles? The economic crisis crumbles Jacquie and David’s empire, and Versailles sits incomplete.

The couple lives with their seven children in an enormous Orlando mansion, which feels too small because it is overflowing with stuff. Jacquie has had to reduce her staff from nineteen to four, and the place is a mess.

In the Christmas shopping scene, a stretch limo pulls into the Wal-Mart parking lot, and Jacquie and her helpers enter the store each pushing a large shopping cart. Jacquie loads the five carts with toys, wraps them, and the children open the toys on Christmas day.

Looking around the mansion, it‘s obvious that Jacquie brought these toys into the mansion without removing a single possession. Her home bursts at the seams with stuff, and the Christmas presents add to the clutter. This mother has a good heart, but she has no idea how much is enough.

Christmas is a few days away. Look around your house. What can you let go of to make room for the new? Why wait until new possessions come in? Let go of the old now! Then you will create space for the new things, and you will feel balanced over the holidays and will better enjoy being with your loved ones.

To Your Success!
Mary Roberts – Successfulspaces.com

A long-time client recently flew me to her home in North Carolina to asses a town house she wanted to buy and to begin clearing out and staging her current home. Weighed down from 20 years of massive accumulation, she had to purge a boat load of possessions to put her house on the market.

On the plane, I sat next to a man who was reviewing a new book, Edward Hopper in Vermont, about the world-renowned New England painter. The author discussed the bucolic art Hopper painted during his vacations in the mountains.

The reviewer’s aunt lived next door to Hopper in Truro on Cape Cod and revealed Hopper’s code for keeping a balanced household: When something comes into the house, something of equal mass goes out!   

The reviewer chuckled and said, “A refrigerator comes in; a couch goes out!”

I wondered when Edward Hopper began applying this rule to his home. I imagine he adopted this rule when he knew he had just the right amount of things. And how did he know that? He felt good in his space. He knew his space felt balanced and that he felt balanced, too.

Hopper was a man who could tune into his space and then tune into himself. He made the connection between his space and his well being.

What’s the right amount of things for you to have in your space? How much is too much? How much is too little? When you know the right amount of things to surround yourself with, you will be able to apply Hopper’s rule: When something comes into the house, something of equal mass goes out!

Then you will never feel overloaded with things. You will never feel deprived.  You will feel spacious and free to do what you do best!

This weekend I put my perennial garden to bed for the winter. I cut back the brown leaves and stems and nourished the soil around the plants with a mixture of lobster compound and peat moss.

Life is all about balance.

Unlike annuals that die with the frost, perennials appear year after year in the garden.  Some flower at the beginning of the warm season, some flower in the middle and some flower in the fall. Then they die above the ground and survive the winter by resting underground (also known as dormancy).

Lying dormant, the perennials rest and reserve their energy and when weather conditions are right, they use the energy stored in their root systems to create beautiful stems, leaves and flowers.

Like perennials, if we are to last a long time, we must balance activity and rest.

I sometimes have trouble unwinding after a fruitful time. I want to continue experiencing the thrill of having lots to do. When I am busy I feel important because I am producing, making a contribution and seeing tangible results.

When I take a break from activity, I feel antsy. My busy bee voice calls me “lazy.” My oldest child voice tells me there are things I must take care of now. I listen to these voices and acknowledge them. Then I find space and time to renew like the perennials.

When I am patient enough to move beyond the urge to accomplish, I relax and find peace. I tune into myself. I see myself and I find freedom.

Like perennials, dormant periods are vital to our well-being. We have time to reflect, to put our lives into perspective, and to allow new ideas to drop in.

If we want to last, we need to balance the cycles of activity and rest.