Sunday was Summer Solstice. It marks the onset of summer – at the time of the longest day, about June 21 in the northern hemisphere and December 22 in the southern hemisphere – and is the mid-point of our year. To celebrate, I’m offering some Summer Clutter Tips to keep you moving forward on getting organized. 
After Solstice, the days begin getting shorter again as the second phase of the Earth’s journey around the Sun begins. Many cultures celebrate the day as a time of fertility and abundance. The cycle of the Sun reflects the natural flow of energy moving inward and outward. Just as we align with the Moon’s journey every month, we can align with the movement of the Earth in relation to the sun every year.
I like to take advantage of this energy, abundance and mid-point moment to review my goals and resolutions for the year. It was rewarding to review and see where I am achieving and where I can spend more time. Some were refreshed, others tweaked and there is plenty of time to move forward with optimism for success. It doesn’t have to take much time and I expect you will appreciate the process. If you haven’t set goals for yourself – or resolutions, dreams, desires, or whatever nomenclature works for you – take some time to do it now.
I recommend that you keep your goals in balance, so they cover all areas of your life. These life categories are similar to the sections of the “Life Balance Wheel” many coaches use to help identify where you may need attention in your life. For example, you don’t want all you aspirations to be about work and career. Balance them with goals for Health, Romance and Personal Growth. And make these categories personal for you.
Here are the many different life categories typically used for goal setting:
Spiritual, Religious
Financial, Money
Career. Work
Health,
Body
Community, Family & Friends
Relationships, Romance, Significant Other
Physical Environment, Home/Household
Fun, Recreation
Personal Growth, Emotional Health
I have taken these and customized them for my world and priorities. I like to have 5 categories, because that feels manageable to me and is personal to my life priorities currently. I recently modified this and may do so again in years to come:
Spiritual / Emotional / Mental Health
Financial / Money / Career
Health / Body
Community / Family / Relationships & S.O.
Recreation / Household / Planet
In other words, just like you sort you stuff into like categories, sort your goals as well. By the way, all you action items and things to do should be associated with your goals and therefore also fit into categories. If they don’t, consider that perhaps that activity is not really a priority for what you want.
Let me know if this makes sense. What are you categories and how can I help you sort them out if there is still clutter?