The Power of One Thing

FocusPurpose & PowerTransitions & Change
Written By Nicola Holmes
A drop of water ripples the surface of water, with the title "The Power of ONE Thing: how tiny changes ripple"

It’s February, and I'm continuing to work with my word of the year, temperance. 

In that spirit, I'm committing to one practice: keeping my desk and office floor clean.

I'm inspired by a quote I heard regarding temperance: 

Harvest follows order, not chaos.

Harvest follows trust, not control.

-Thoth Tarot Deck, Aleister Crowley

What's fascinating to me is how changing just one thing... ripples.

office desk and floor, with white boards, papers and files on display. The words, "before, note clutter" are presented, with arrows pointing at the clutter.
Image of office with two organized closets, a clear floor and tidy space, with the word "after' at the bottom of the image

The Power of One Thing: 

It turns out that to achieve my aim, I have to - well, handle things. DO things.

So far, clearing space has required me to:

  • make decisions (commit to things and say no)

  • take action (apply for passports, RSVP for a birthday party, etc...)

  • clarify my vision and priorities

  • protect time for 'paper-processing' and admin  

I've heard a quote that “clutter represents unmade decisions.” It feels true. 

As someone who can protectively overthink and avoid decision-making, this one practice seems evolutionary.

It turns out that tidying goes way deeper than creating a pretty aesthetic -

I'm required to bravely step into choice, commitment and completion.

I See the Same Thing for My Clients:

  • "Rosa" decides to wake up earlier... and then has to examine her bedtime, which is connected to an uneven household division of labour... which requires understanding and choice about navigating her marriage.

  • "Chanelle" commits to getting to the gym three times a week... which leads to a much deeper exploration of chronic patterns of overwork and learning to prioritize her own worth and needs.

  • "Gina" turns off her phone & screens for an hour each evening... and then pays closer attention to her stress levels, loneliness and habits of self-soothing and softens into new ways of caring for herself.

Don't underestimate the power of experimenting with just ONE thing.

It can deepen your self-awareness and change your life in truly unexpected ways.

Related Resources:

Are you leaning into changing (just!) ONE thing in your life?

Or where could you?

I'd love to hear in the comments below about a growth edge you're navigating... or could bravely engage.

 

P.S. If you’re curious about how coaching could support you with creating change in your life (big or small), please set up a free 60-minute consult with me. I’d love to hear from you.

Smiling white woman with shoulder length ash-coloured hair is sitting on cement steps.

Nicola Holmes is a Change Coach who helps people turn their potent questions, dreams and goals into inspired action. With warmth and wisdom, she’ll guide you to untangle constraints and cultivate courage to create a more aligned and joyful life. She has a BASc in Human Development, an MEd in Adult Learning and spent two decades working in the non-profit sector. Along with coaching for 15 years, she’s mama to two spirited kids and devoted to Buddhism. Having recently experienced long-Covid and a move, she brings empathy to others exploring how they’ve changed and who they’re becoming in turbulent times. Check out Nicola @nicolaholmescoach or join the email party for encouragement to fuel the changes you want (including free coaching opportunities!).  

Nicola Holmes
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