Leaders must take action. Even when nonplussed, it is better to act than to dwell on difficult circumstances. While a ship is safe in the harbor, that is not what it was built for. Just like riding a bicycle, you must keep moving to keep your balance. When in doubt, act. Often just doing the next thing will make your continued steps clear. Inaction is the enemy of any business.
Cleaning up your workspace makes the next course of action clearer and has the side-effect of reducing stress. Completion of open loops - whether they are major projects or boxes of papers that need to be purged - prepares the ground for cleaner, clearer, and more complete energy for whatever shows up. We are often not sure what to tackle next. At that point, just clean or complete something - something obvious and in front of you, right away. Soon you will have the energy and clarity to know what is next, and you will have cleared the decks for more effective responsiveness on every front.
