“There is a cleansing from winter darkness the moment we sink our fingers into spring’s fresh earth.” ― Toni Sorenson
It (finally) feels like spring, even down to the dreaded feeling of “do I need to buy a new bathing suit this year?” I’m starting to eye my patio flower pots and think about planting. I just cleaned a bunch of stuff out of my office AND finished my taxes (except for that pesky paying the IRS part.)
Spring is a great time to take a look at your business and your book projects. Have you been putting off starting your publishing company or finishing your book? Did your marketing efforts dwindle off as the weather got colder?
Time for a spring cleaning – author style! I borrowed some ideas from an article in Psychology Today, called 7 Rituals for Spring Renewal. I only have 5 rituals as part of my cleaning process is to simplify things as much as I can.
5 Rituals for an Author’s Spring Renewal:
- Declutter your office space. Get rid of the piles of paper you’ve been meaning to file all winter. Empty your overflowing inbox. Finish your taxes! Dust and clean. How about buying some flowers or a new plant to enjoy?
- Clear out your mental clutter. Get rid of the old doubts and fears about your work and your business. These only weigh you down and sap your energy. Commit to making decisions you’ve been putting off.
- Now, make a plan. Make a list of to-dos and a schedule for getting them done. Start with a couple of easy ones that will get you going. Schedule time to complete your tasks and give yourself a deadline.
- Start something brand new. Are you stuck on part of your book? One way to get inspired again is to start a new project. Maybe now is a good time to start a new writing project, or get the creative juices flowing by starting a new hobby or taking a class.
- Reward yourself. Good job! Now give yourself a well-deserved reward for getting your spring cleaning – physical and mental – done!
