Hi, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor. And today I'll be talking about how to do a good old

spring cleaning, but not of your closet, of your mind. Here in the Northeastern U.S., spring has

finally sprung. It's sunny, breezy, delightful, and time for a spring cleaning. I used to dread the spring

cleaning, the switching out of seasonal clothes, the wiping down of fans, the whole drill. It was a chore,

a total drain of my energy and time. But one day, a few years ago, I realized how much lighter I felt

post-cleaning. That annual process I dreaded, it actually left me

feeling refueled and ready to tackle the next big thing. And I wondered if I could get that same

sense of energy and renewal for my work life, not to mention in general, with a little spring

cleaning of the mind. Why clean out your mental closet?

Our closets can get overwhelmed by an accumulation of things.

So too can our minds.

Unfortunately, unlike with excess shoes, clothes, and accessories,

there's no charity organization or resale shop waiting to take in your mental clutter.

When I realized that my brain was suffering from an accumulation of unused junk, I roughed out a process and took myself

through a professional spring cleaning. And it was a win. Not only have I done a mental spring

cleaning every year since, but I've also developed a version

that leaders can use with their teams. Are you ready to spring clean your mind? Awesome. Let's do it.

Start by setting yourself up for success. This exercise can deliver a little value or a ton. But if you're

here for a ton, then let's start by setting you up for maximum success.

A great setup means focusing on three key factors. First, your mindset. Look at this as an

opportunity for renewal. Not only is it a chance to let go of anything that isn't functioning

anymore, but it's also an opportunity to dial up the things

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