Cleaning Out the Clutter

 
 

We’ve known we were going to move to Lewes, DE since March, and finalized the timing in early June when our house sold quickly. The last time we moved was over 20 years ago, and it was without a lot of furniture (we came from a townhouse and only lived there for 3 years), and we didn’t have kids…. two things that simplify a move.

My husband spent several summers working with a moving company, so he is very familiar with the process and all that needs to be done. He recognized that it takes more time than it feels like it should (my approach) and started purging and packing early on.  I started the purging with plenty of time, but didn’t really understand how much stuff we still had after that exercise.

It’s amazing how much stuff we accumulate over the years, even when we think we’ve been cleaning out along the way.  There are probably at least 120 boxes packed away in storage plus furniture plus all of the things we’re taking to our interim housing spot while our house is being built.  That’s a lot of stuff!

As we think about ourselves as leaders, we also accumulate a lot over the years.  We may not even realize what we’re carrying with us until we pause and take an inventory.

We’ll find some experiences we want to keep - lessons from our mentors, the memory of our failures and disappointments that shaped who we became, friendships we have built, and the many skills we have acquired.

On the other hand, we need to let go of: disappointment and grudges for the opportunities that didn’t work out, competition with peers that doesn’t serve us, and all the things we thought we should have done but didn’t.

Carrying these extra weights around as a leader is like carrying heavy rocks in your backpack. You can keep going, but your progress will be slowed, and you’ll probably be causing your body to work in a way that isn’t healthy.

Don’t wait for your body and mind to start struggling with all of the clutter and weight you are carrying unnecessarily.  Use this weekend to do a “Clear the Clutter” activity for yourself as a leader so that you can better lead yourself.

We know that you are better at leading your teams and organizations when you’re stronger in leading yourself.

While you’re at it, you may want to pick a room or a cabinet to declutter!  Maybe start with all the expired cold medicine or spices you never use.

I’m off to finalize the boxing of things that didn’t go to storage and that have to get transported to our condo… and maybe get rid of some last-minute items that don’t bring me joy!


If you’re excited to map out what success looks like for the rest of the year and how this idea of defying gravity will take you there, download our Reflections for Success tool.

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Decoding Stress: Lessons from a Leader's Personal Health Journey