Addition by subtraction

Photo by Briana Tozour on Unsplash

Last time, we discussed how reviewing all the things you’ve put on autopilot in your life can uncover things that require adjustment or are no longer needed. Today, let’s dig deeper into that “no longer needed” category.

Considering everything you have on your plate, what are two or three things you could STOP doing right now that would free you up mentally, financially, and/or emotionally?

It helps to start by writing down everything that’s swirling around in your mind. Getting it all out of your head and being able to see it laid out in front of you helps reduce that feeling of overwhelm that can sneak up on all of us.  We often get so wrapped up in ALL THE THINGS that we don’t realize just how much weight – mentally, financially, and emotionally – we’re carrying around with us each day. 

Please know that writing it all down does NOT mean you have to figure it all out. 

Writing it down helps reduce your cognitive load and frees up your mental capacity. And writing it down means we’re less likely to have it spew out in anger and frustration aimed at others.

Once you uncover those things you want to stop doing, you’ll need to fight the urge to immediately replace them with something else. It will feel uncomfortable to suddenly have some space and breathing room that you’re not used to having. But that breathing room is what will allow you to become more intentional about how you’re living your life.

And in my humble opinion, there’s no better way to spend your time than being more intentional around how you show up in the world.