You NEED to declutter your life to declutter your mind. If you are overwhelmed with clutter, you’re allowing it to create negative energy in your life. In this episode of My Extra Mile, David T.S. Wood talks about the theory of broken windows and shares a simple 5-minute exercise to help you declutter your home, your relationships, and your mind. It will help you gain clarity and set positive intentions for your future. Don’t miss it!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

 

• Changing the results, you see in your life
• Nailing down the broken window you must overcome
• David’s garage renovation and re-organization
• How to master your master closet
• Conflict resolution: Clean up your conversations
• The 5 minute-exercise to declutter your life
• Leave a legacy that is simple + straightforward

The theory of broken windows

 

A social experiment was done by a scientist where he parked two different cars, opened the hood, and left them sitting for one week. One car was placed in a high-crime neighborhood in the Bronx and the other in a California neighborhood. Within one week, the car in the high-crime area was completely gutted. But the car in California sat for an entire week completely untouched.

 

So, the scientist broke the windshield. Within 24 hours that car, too, was completely gutted. The reigning theory is that a broken car window is the temptation needed to attract thieves. Similarly, graffiti on a building attracts more graffiti. If you allow something negative to remain untouched and unfixed, it attracts more negativity.

 

What is your broken window? What things in your life are attracting negative energy? What things, places, or people aren't serving you? David notes that holding on to negative energy is like drinking poison—but expecting the other person to die. Fixing your broken window can free up space in your lives to attract beauty, adventure, and opportunities.

The different areas you can declutter your mind + life

 

What areas can you begin the process to declutter? David shares some examples from personal experience:

 

1. Your garage: David began renovating his garage by dedicating an entire morning to sort through large cupboards full of clutter. The items either went into storage, were donated, or put back in the cupboard. His garage is now his man cave with a ping pong and pool table, foosball table, dartboard, pinball machines, and his cars/bikes.
2. Your closet: David went through everything in his closet. If it didn’t fit or he hadn’t worn it, it got donated. The first time he did this it took hours and was admittedly exhausting. But the feeling afterward was indescribable.
3. Your bedroom: David worked with a couple where the wife desired more intimacy in their marriage. So, David asked what their bedroom was like. It was a landing place for unfolded laundry and the bed was never made. He challenged them to make the bedroom a sanctuary so that it was inviting of intimacy. He challenged them to buy beautiful sheets + candles, get rid of the television, and create a space conducive of the energy they wanted to attract. It radically changed things for them.
4. Your conversations: When he has a conversation that needs to be cleaned up, he leads with his intention: “I want to be closer, I want a deeper relationship, etc. but there’s something we need to talk about…”

David’s 5-minute challenge to declutter your life

 

David’s challenge is simple, but the results speak for themselves:

 

Set a timer for 5 minutes and address ONE thing in your home that needs to be cleaned, organized, fixed, etc. Junk drawer? Unorganized closet? Messy pantry? Loose toilet seat?  Choose one area, set your timer, and spend 5-minutes cleaning it up.

 

Why is this so important? A cluttered and disorganized life full of unfinished projects attracts negativity. It clutters your mind and removes your focus. If you constantly feel overwhelmed and can’t seem to finish anything you set your mind to, start small. Declutter your surroundings and you’ll be amazed by how things change.

 

If you notice something, address it immediately and clean up that energy. It frees up space to allow you to recommit to something and complete goals that have been lost in the clutter of your mind. David knows from experience that the results are freeing and worth the effort. Listen to the whole episode for the full discussion.

Resources & People Mentioned

 

• Hugh Culver: Broken Windows

Connect with David T. S. Wood

 

• Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood
• Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood
• Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1