The Japanese

&Feng Shui
PRACTICAL

System

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

The Japanese 5S System & Practical Feng Shui

A Special Report by Lillian Too

THE JAPANESE SECRET TO CLUTTER CONTROL

The Japanese are known for being well organized and structured in their work and home life and its no surprise that they invented a process to help them achieve great results in these areas. This process known as the 5S Process or more simply just 5S is a systematic approach to complete organization, cleanliness, clutter control, standardization and discipline and it is now one of the most widely accepted and adopted techniques in the manufacturing world of major corporations. But it also works very well in our practice of feng shui, to help to control clutter and maintain organization so the chi can move slowly and freely throughout our homes and work areas. So although these things may seem like common sense, there is a specific logic and order involved.

Clutter Creates Instant Obstacles

But lets talk a little more about the dangers of clutter build up. First of all, its natural for our living spaces to get cluttered after all were living in them everyday! Its easy for newspapers, backpacks, old mail and shoes to accumulate in the entry area and this is really the worst place of all for clutter to build up. And the most unfortunate thing is we may not notice until something happens to our health or money luck!

TIP: Heres something you may not know clutter creates instant obstacles. Since clutter is just another word for obstacle, the need develop a more clean and neat mindset becomes very obvious.

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

Clutter blocks the flow of energy and can cause immediate reversals of fortune at work and at home. For example, a contract or project you are working on is unexpectedly cancelled or partners misunderstand your intentions. Keep your entryway (both inside and outside the front door) and hallways clean, clutter-free, light and airy and the chi free-flowing. And finally, since one way or another we all tend to hang on to certain things, I always recommend that you have enough storage space in your home.

The Meaning of Each S

5S is the acronym for five Japanese words, each beginning with the letter S: SEIRI, SEITON, SEISO, SEIKETSU, SHITSUKE.

SEIRI means sort to put things in order SEITON means systemize and simplify SEISO means shining keeping things clean SEIKETSU means standardization SHITSUKE means discipline

Applying the 5S to Practical Everyday Feng Shui

(Your 5-Step Solution To Creating a Clutter-Free Life)
SEIRI TO SORT THE FIRST S Seri is the first S which means to sort and get things in order by throwing and giving away all unwanted and unnecessary things that take up space and are no longer useful to you. Things that have piled up and you hope you might use again someday for example clothing that you have not worn for several months or no longer fits you.

TIP: Start by working in one area only it can be your desk at work, one room in the house, a file cabinet at work, your clothing closet but just one area at a time so you do not get overwhelmed. Keep only the things that are necessary and that you really will use.

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

Begin by separating your things into three piles: 1. The first pile is for things that you no longer use tag them with a marker and put in a separate area then give them away or throw them away. Dont feel bad about getting rid of these things someone else may be in great need of what you are holding on to think about it as helping someone in need. 2. The second grouping is for things that you use all the time. 3. The third pile is for seasonal items that you will eventually need but you dont need right now. When you do this, heres what will happen:  You will free up a lot of space more than you ever imagined!  Things will be easier to find because of the way you have separated them. You will no longer waste time searching for seasonal items because youve placed them all in one area of the garage or storage area and have them clearly marked.  Clearing the clutter like this allows the chi to move reducing obstacles and frustrations.  Your feng shui will be greatly enhanced and you will feel better almost instantly. Helping others through donations creates great merit and good karma for you.

Give things away.

Separate seasonal items.

SEITON TO SYSTEMIZE THE SECOND S Seiton is the second S and this means to systemize and keep things in the proper place and order. As the saying goes,there should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place! How many times have you looked for a pair of scissors or a special tool and its nowhere to be found? And you say to yourself Why doesnt anyone around here ever put things back where they belong? So the first part of Seiton is to put things in useful order and straighten the flow path as the Japanese say. This means keeping all your gardening tools for example together in one location so that anytime you need a tool for the garden you know right where to find it and its always there.

A place for everything and everything in its place.

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

TIP: The things that you use on a regular basis should be easily accessible like in your office if you have reference books that are used all the time make sure the bookshelf holding them is in a central location and within easy reach of everyone.

Heres another suggestion for your gift-wrapping materials. Keep all these together scissors, various types of tape, ribbon, wrapping paper, etc. in one location. When you are finished wrapping a gift be sure everything goes back where it came from, so you know it will be right there when you need it the next time. If you also use scissors in your kitchen for example then keep a second pair there. The idea is not to have to go running upstairs or downstairs or from room to room to find the one pair of scissors in the house and to have everything close to where it will be used. Knowing where everything goes makes it easier for children and other family members to participate as well.

Keep things together.

The second part of Seiton is to properly label and set aside a specific area for each item, which increases efficiency when you need to locate something quickly. So everything should have its own place and be properly marked for easy access. In feng shui, if things are returned to where they belong in a neat and orderly fashion then clutter is automatically reduced. This part of the 5-S process also helps to reduce stress, frustration and save time!

SEISO SHINING THE THIRD S The third S is seiso and refers to cleanliness. Once you have decided where everything goes and you have properly labeled the specific areas, then the next step is to keep things clean and tidy so that the flow of chi is unobstructed. Think about your garage, closet or storage areas what shape are they in right now? You see, the key here is maintaining cleanliness all the time...this should not be a chore as a result of things getting too messy because you havent kept up.

Is this your garage?

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

TIP: Some people like to take a picture of the area when its clean, organized and just the way they like it. This effective reminder helps to keep things looking good. It is especially useful for kids as a way to keep their play areas and rooms tidy.
When storage areas and rooms are clean you can also spot missing things or low levels of supplies that need to be replaced. If you keep up with this on a regular basis then it takes very little time and in fact will save you time in the end.

In feng shui we recognize that stagnant energy causes many obstacles and problems. If your things are well organized but dirt and dust is allowed to build up and accumulate then chi will begin to get old and stagnate. Do a weekly cleaning of your home and office and develop your feng shui eyes to be very aware of clutter especially where people enter the home it may be the back or front door or an entry through your garage. Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and junk mail put clothing and shoes where they belong in the closet. Pay particular attention to hallways as well so that the flow of chi does not get impeded. I have seen many business and people suffer reversals of fortune caused by nothing more than energy blockages caused by clutter.

SEIKETSU STANDARDIZE THE FOURTH S The fourth S, seiketsu is about standardization. In your office make sure everyone participates in this process and at home make it a family affair. Everyone must clearly understand their roles and duties with regard to the first three Ss and take responsibility for them. The idea here is that taking small steps one by one can add up to very big results. We know this to be true in feng shui as well when applying specific formulas in our home and office.

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.

SHITSUKE STICK TO IT THE FIFTH S This seems to be the hardest of the five processes for so many people. In the office or at home people get enthusiastic at the start and then gradually lose interest, get lazy and dont maintain or keep up with what they are supposed to do. I see this all the time with many people in their feng shui practice. They come to my extravaganzas usually just before Chinese New Year and listen carefully to what lies ahead and what they must do. They get things cleaned up, organized and feel very good but despite their good intention they dont keep up with what must be done and then wonder whats wrong with their feng shui.

TIP: Schedule your clutter control! Put it on your calendar give your weekly and monthly cleanups a specific date and time. Call non-profits or organizations that will collect your donations in advance so youll stick to the schedule.
So this is all about discipline following through and doing what we say we will do. Try applying the 5S system today for great results sort, systemize, shining (keep it clean), standardization and self-discipline - the Japanese secret to clutter control! Youll be amazed at the change of energy flow and improvement in your life in the areas of health, wealth and happiness!

The Japanese 5S System & PRACTICAL FENG SHUI

Copyright 2010 Lillian Too Mandala. All Rights Reserved.