How I clear mental clutter: a case study

by | Oct 21, 2023 | Leadership Matters

(Image credit: Luis Villasmil on Unsplash )

Have you ever felt the need to clear your mental clutter? Are you juggling multiple priorities, together with brilliant ideas, and all the while afraid of forgetting the best ones? Perhaps you just want to put your thoughts on paper to see where they lead.

I confess I am one of those people who enjoys decluttering programmes on television.  The sense of peace, calm and purpose that “clear decks” bring is palpable.  In the same way, I derive immense satisfaction from helping clients organize their thoughts. Witnessing their hopes, dreams, and fears laid bare is a profound privilege. Brené Brown asserts, “Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” I’ve seen this courage displayed by my clients many times.  Every single time I am proud for them; I know how hard it can be to do.

Given that I offer a service that helps clients clear mental clutter, I thought I would present a case study to illustrate how it works.

Case Study

A client approached me with the exciting task/challenge of downloading the contents of their brain. In effect, they needed to clear mental clutter.  It was a tremendous compliment and a significant responsibility. We met in their office, facing a massive, empty whiteboard.

This client was no stranger to challenges. They were an ambitious leader, driven by excellence, equipped with a focused intellect, unwavering confidence, and a thirst for personal development. A blank whiteboard posed no intimidation.

Instead of a simple brain dump, my client asked, “How shall we approach this?” It was a fantastic question.

In every coaching session, the client should lead. So, we discussed what my client needed and what they wanted to achieve beyond just emptying their mind. What was the purpose, the desired outcome, and the change they sought?

The goal was to explore ambitious business plans and address personal aspirations, ultimately creating the mental space to think through their plans.

The process: how we help you clear mental clutter

We began by listing personal and business ambitions, noting the challenges, envisioning the company’s future, creating a mind map, and filling the whiteboard.

The hard work may seem like the client’s, but I was there every step of the way. I asked probing questions, cutting to the heart of the matter. Progress was clean, with no distractions.

My role was to challenge their thinking, test the robustness of their ideas, and help them gain new perspectives. Playing Devil’s Advocate refined their goals.

Once the whiteboard was full, the client structured their thoughts, taking a literal step back to gain perspective. A clear plan emerged. Within three years, despite challenges like Covid, their company grew, diversified, and freed the client to pursue personal ambitions.

How can this help you?

In today’s busy world, having space for unfettered thinking seems like a luxury. However, as this case study demonstrates, investing in a help to clear mental clutter is an intelligent business move. It provides the headspace to identify priorities, validate plans, and unearth new opportunities.

You can try this on your own, but it’s challenging. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us. Let’s help you declutter your mind.