Much to my chagrin, I’m what I call an entropic perfectionist. I love things being just so – I really work better when everything is visually uncluttered – but all too often, entropy runs roughshed over my physical surroundings. Put another way, I’m a neatnik trapped in a slob’s body.

So what’s all this about changing the world by tidying your desk? Read on.

Small things make a difference

One of the things I love about the Ripple Revolution idea is the way even the smallest things can take on a whole new significance in the difference we make in the world.

Ever since I started thinking in terms of creating a Ripple Legacy with my life (Ripple Legacy = the sum total impact of the choices I make, the actions I take, and the ripples they create), I have been seeing what I do more in terms of a “ripple system.”

That system isn’t just made up of the big sexy splashes that create the ripples that make a difference. It’s also comprised of the things that support the choices and actions that create them.

For me, keeping things tidy and uncluttered contributes to my productivity. It helps me stay focused, and leaves me feeling more mentally clear.

So cleaning my desk – or the entire space I work in – is actually contributing to the impact I can make in the world. The same is true of any one of a bazillion small things that support the choices you make and the actions you take.

Ripple Enhancers

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Ripple Blockers. These supporting elements in your ripple system are the flipside to those. Think of them as Ripple Enhancers. Here are some examples of things that can act as Ripple Enhancers:

• Exercising.
• Eating your fill of vegetables so your body and brain has the nutrients they need to feel as energized as possible.
• A consistent meditation practice.
• Spending time with people who encourage and inspire you.
• Creating an aesthetically pleasing environment.
• Tidying your desk!

In a nutshell, Ripple Enhancers are anything in your life that:

• Help you be more inclined to create positive ripples.
• Help you be more able to create positive ripples.
• Remove the things that block your inclination or ability to create positive ripples.

In a way, this is similar to the Gain-to-Drain Ratio idea. In general, the things that give you energy will increase your ability to create positive ripples, and the things that drain your energy will inhibit your ability.

Try this

Take a look at your life in 360 degrees. Make a quick list of the current Ripple Enhancers you see. Do you exercise? Do you make it a habit of reading inspiring or uplifting books? Do you spend time with positive people? Do have good time management habits?

Once you identify them, ask if there is any way to reinforce them.

After that, brainstorm ways you could incorporate more Ripple Enhancers into your life? What positive habits could you create? What could you start doing that would increase the energy you feel? What changes could you make that remove the blocks to your ripple-creating inclination or ability?

Pick one thing, and weave it into your Ripple System. Once it feels like a natural part of your life, pick another and repeat.

[image by brendan-c]

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