I recently met Petra Marcotti at a networking event and was immediately captivated by her work as a personal performance and mindset coach. Her approach to helping individuals reach their full potential aligns perfectly with the goals I strive to achieve with my own clients. Intrigued by her insights and expertise, especially concerning the mental barriers my clients often encounter when trying to declutter their lives, I felt compelled to dive deeper into her perspective.
In our interview below, Petra shares her thoughts on the common mindset blocks people face, the role of self-worth in material accumulation, and practical strategies for fostering a decluttered, organised environment.
Read on to discover her invaluable advice and how shifting one's mindset can lead to profound personal transformation.
Short introduction as to who you are and what you do.
Hi! My name is Petra. I am a personal performance & mindset coach helping ambitious individuals reach their full potential in life. Drawing on my research background in Psychology, I offer tailored coaching packages using evidence-based tools to support individuals who feel are capable of more. I work with a range of clients: people who are at crossroads in life, seeking clarity and direction, people who are looking to step up in their career, or individuals who feel they lack the confidence in their ability to achieve what they want. Additionally, I work with athletes, where I use my training and sports experience to help them reach peak performance in sport.
What are some common mindset blocks that prevent people from being able to achieve their decluttering goals?
Here are some of the common mindset blocks that might prevent people from achieving their decluttering goals.
Perfectionism
Decluttering can help clear the mind and find clarity. Often, finding clarity can favour the desire to have everything perfect, such as thinking, "This space is now clean, as it should be." However, perfectionism can have the opposite effect. For example, believing that decluttering should be done perfectly can lead to thoughts like, "If it’s not done perfectly, why even bother to start?" This mindset can make the task of decluttering seem impossible, leading to inaction.
Fear of failure
Often associated with perfectionism, the fear of failure involves worrying that even if they try, they will not succeed in decluttering their space. They might think they are not capable of decluttering, leading to a lack of confidence that is often followed by inaction.
Fear of making a decision
Deciding what to keep and what to discard can be overwhelming, daunting and exhausting, leading to either giving up or not taking any action at all. People might also fear regretting getting rid of something. In some cases, people might hold onto clutter "just in case" they need it in the future, worrying that if they let go of items now, they will regret it later.
Guilt
Feeling guilty for having spent money on items and not wanting to waste them can lead to keeping things that are no longer useful. There might also be guilt around items that were gifted or have sentimental value.
Identity, self-worth, security
Some people might believe that their belongings define who they are. They might create a sense of identity around their personal possessions, defining their self-worth. This can in turn lead to seeing belongings as a form protection or security. Letting go of the clutter might feel like losing a part of themselves or even losing their perceived sense of identity.
Lack of clear goals or vision
Although not necessarily a mindset block, the lack of clear and realistic goals is likely the primary reason people do not achieve their goals. This holds true for decluttering as well as any other life goal. Often, we set unrealistic goals, making the task seem too difficult, or set goals that are too large, leading to feelings of overwhelm. This can result in a lack of motivation to take any action toward achieving the goal. To overcome this, people who want to declutter should start with a clear (e.g. what their space should look like) and actionable (e.g. a step-by-step plan) goal in mind.
How can shifting one's mindset help in overcoming the urge to accumulate unnecessary items?
This depends on what drives a person to accumulate unnecessary items in the first place but, generally, developing the awareness that you have the power to choose how you want to be and act is crucial. Recognising that you can overcome the urge to accumulate items is a significant driver for changing your mindset - I strongly believe in the power of choice when it comes to making life changes! To shift your mindset around clutter, it's essential to address the underlying fears and adopt an abundance mindset where experiences and memories are valued more than material possessions. Practicing gratitude can help move away from a scarcity mindset.
Additionally, redefining success to focus on personal qualities and attributes rather than material possessions is vital. Shifting your mindset also involves focusing on long-term goals and your vision for life. Consider how overcoming the urge to accumulate unnecessary items will impact your life, why decluttering is important to you, and what it will enable you to be, do, and have.
What role does self-worth play in the way people consume and hold on to material possessions?
For some people, self-worth is closely tied to what they own and how much they possess. They may seek validation and form their identity through material possessions, believing that these enhance their perceived value. This can lead to difficulty in letting go of items and may result in accumulating even more. Therefore, it is crucial to work on their concept of self-worth and possibly even redefine their identity. Through this process, individuals can recognise that self-worth comes from their intrinsic qualities rather than external factors.
How can someone at a crossroads in life use decluttering as a tool to gain clarity and direction?
Decluttering can symbolise a significant change in one’s life, representing the release of old patterns and beliefs that might hinder progress. By removing physical clutter, individuals can create a more organised and peaceful environment that fosters mental clarity and focus. Interestingly, this is also supported by psychological research; Abraham Maslow, famous for his work on the hierarchy of needs, found that people tend to be more energised when they are in a beautiful setting versus mediocre or unattractive surroundings. It is important to note that “beautiful” does not mean big, expensive, or full of items. A beautiful environment is often minimalist, with few items organised in a harmonious fashion. You can find out more about Maslow’s study here.
What are some strategies to build confidence in one’s ability to maintain a decluttered and organised environment?
Set realistic goals:
Break down the decluttering process into manageable steps. This approach reduces the feeling of overwhelm and allows you to celebrate small victories, building confidence in your ability to achieve your goals.
Set clear goals:
Visualize what you want your environment to look like. Create a vivid mental image of the end result. Having a clear vision in mind helps with commitment and confidence. Remember, if you can talk about it and visualize it, you can achieve it!
Visualise success:
Visualize not only the appearance of your decluttered space but also how it will feel and positively impact your life. This reinforces your commitment and confidence in the process.
Practice gratitude and self-compassion:
Be kind to yourself if setbacks occur. Focus on progress rather than perfection. Practice gratitude for starting the decluttering process, for how far you've come, and for both big and small successes. Keep a gratitude journal if it helps. Remember, gratitude is the opposite of anger!
Adopt an abundance mindset:
Believe that you have enough and that you are enough with what you already have. Be grateful for who you are, your personal attributes, your life, and the people in it. Repeat this to yourself daily and use positive affirmations. Even if you don’t believe it yet, 'trick' your brain into making it your new reality!
And…if you are still finding it difficult, make sure you reach out for help!
In your experience, how can setting goals and intentions aid in the process of decluttering and reducing consumerism?
I talked about the importance of setting goals and intentions, and this is crucial for any goal in life. Setting clear and realistic goals can significantly aid the process of decluttering and reducing consumerism. However, before setting these goals, one must have the motivation to pursue them. Goals provide motivation and commitment to the process, offering a roadmap to achieve your objectives by breaking down the end goal into manageable steps. They also increase awareness; for example, setting a goal to reduce consumerism can reduce impulse buying by making you more conscious of your spending habits. Achieving your decluttering and consumerism goals serves as a positive reinforcer, giving you a sense of accomplishment and gradually encouraging you to make this new habit a lasting reality.
Where can people find out more about you and your services?
You can find all my links here https://linktr.ee/petramarcotti
Petra Marcotti
Personal Performance & Mindset Coach
Interviewed by:
Shannon Murphy
Accredited Professional Organiser - Simpl Living Co

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