Despite the "I LOVE NY" campaign, I must admit, growing up in the 1970's and 80's, I hated New York City. I hated the dirty streets, the gang problems, the window-washing thugs at red lights, the broken windowed schools.... Most of all I hated the ever-present graffiti.   Did I want to work in or live in New York?  No way!

Along came Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who led an ingenious approach to transforming his sickened city.   Instead of just continuing to focus on the major gang violence, murder and major crime - go after the little stuff.  Change the culture by changing the smaller stuff.  Create a graffiti free New York.  Thus began a focused campaign to fix the broken windows, crack down on token-avoiding subway riders, arrest the window washers and most noticeably -continually clean the graffiti.  Then let all know: WE DON'T TOLERATE GRAFFITI.

The results are in: New York was transformed.  Crime rates dropped.  City-pride improved.  New business moved in.  In the past few years psychological studies have since demonstrated the direct impact of clearing out the clutter and the trash on positive health,responsibility and even morality.  It doesn't seem like rocket science... but it is kinda brilliant!

My wife Mindy helped me see the  application for our family and for personal dreams: Dream Big.  Start by cleaning out the graffiti.  Get rid of the stuff gunking you, your company or your family up.  Clear up those piles on the desk.  Organize your inbox.  Do the little things right. 

Create Graffiti free zones.... and let your creativity, desires, and even your dreams return. 

So, what's your graffiti?

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