You must let go to grow

Over the past 6 months, I’ve been “letting go” en masse. Books.  Marketing homestudy courses I once gobbled up but will never look at again.  Clothes. (85% of my wardrobe?  Gone.  No joke.)  More books.  Stuff.   Jewelry. (This is really saying something, as I do get attached to my bling!)  This past weekend, we took our couch down to the curb.

The shedding has been more than physical, too.  I’ve let go of people, projects, relationships.  Hardest of all has been to let go of certain thoughts about myself that haven’t served me for years.  (Being really vulnerable, here.)

Straight up: it hasn’t always been comfortable. Watching all of that stuff go out the door has been exhilarating on the one hand, and also a little sad.   But the process has absolutely transformed my business and my life.  In clearing my space, I have made room for new opportunities to come in and I’ve made a lot more mo-ney. Most importantly, I’m creating an environment that supports my vision of what I want my life to look like.

One of my mentors said something recently that really shook me up.  He said, “Your environment is stronger than habit.” When you think about the pull your habits can have over you, it’s pretty shocking.

Here’s the hidden truth in that statement: the only way to create lasting change is by changing your environment. We’ve all had the experience of making a change only to slide back into past patterns (i.e., habits).  The only way around this is to change your environment.

So my coach’s request to you is this: Think of a change you’d really like to make in your life or business. Even better if it’s something that you’ve tried to change in the past and failed. Then ask yourself this question: “How can I create my environment so that this change is inevitable?”

It might mean hiring a coach to hold you accountable.  It might mean investing in a program.  It might mean teaming up with a friend and making a pact: “If one of us slides on this, we owe the other $20.” (This suggestion comes from entrepreneur Eben Pagan – I love it!)

No matter what, creating an environment that supports lasting change will absolutely involve letting go of something. You’ll know what it is.  Be good to yourself and let go of it quickly, without thinking.

Get support if you need to.  Any sadness you feel (or worry about how someone else will feel) will quickly be replaced by feelings of joy, expansiveness, and the expectation of something great.  It’s on the way!