What do you need to let go of to grow?

I feel happy because I recognized an area where I've grown. A colleague approached me about a project, and while it sounded appealing, I asked if we could revisit next year. Not because it wasn't interesting, but because I have other priorities right now. She was gracious and even complimented me, because twice I mentioned a commitment I'd made to myself, and kept. I was proud, because if you've been in this Thursday Thoughts community for any length of time, you know ya girl used to be booked and busy, but also beat; until I realized a great paradox: to become more, we have to do less.

This principle came front and center a couple of years ago when I took on a large project. It wasn't Oprah, one of my dream assignments (yet), but it was significant. With the new project plus other commitments, I was booked and busy, and on the fast track to burnout, when what I really needed was booked and balanced.

To reset, I took a day to strategize and organize. As I journaled, a question came: “If your dream opportunities arrived today, would you have space to receive them?”

The answer—which honestly hurt my feelings a little bit, was no. I had said yes to so many ordinary projects, I had no longer had room for the extraordinary.

At that moment, I realized that if I was going to grow in the areas that matter most, I'd have to let some things go. In society, growth usually means adding more. No wonder burnout is an epidemic.

I reminded myself of what I often share in coaching: “Not everything worthwhile is worth your while.”

Friend, I don't say this to look down on any opportunity. Each of us is endowed with unique gifts. Yet instead of focusing on them, we often spend time on things that don't move us toward our purpose. We take on projects that are “nice to do” but not aligned, hold on to relationships that no longer serve us, or cling to habits and thought patterns that keep us stuck.

Whatever your situation, the key is discerning where to prune so you can grow where it matters most. And the only way to do that is by deepening your understanding of your purpose and what you want to achieve—personally, professionally, and in the world.

My challenge was doing less so I could focus on what matters most. What's yours? Where do you need to cut back to grow? If you'd like support as you think about purpose and growth, consider coaching with me—book a discovery call today.

One last thing: since committing to booked and balanced, every “no” to an okay opportunity has opened space for extraordinary ones.