“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo Da Vinci.

What a year 2020 has been! Who would have thought that when we wrote goals this time last year, that the new year would turn out the way that it has? We have all had to cope with the challenges of a global Coronavirus pandemic. This has required us to adjust to restrictions to the way we live our lives.

Some people have had significant health and/or financial challenges to cope with. There has been lots of stress and anxiety to deal with for us all.

Thankfully, there was some good news last week about possible Coronavirus vaccines which once approved and administered will enable us to return to some semblance of normal life. This feels like a bit of light at the end of what has been a long and dark tunnel. This promising news gives us all something to look forward to as we continue to navigate our way through the current challenging climate.

When I reflected on the news, it occurred to me that this is a good time to take some time to reflect, evaluate and plan. During this process, we can consider how we are doing against the various goals and desires that we set for the year.

We can determine if outstanding personal and professional goals are still relevant. If they aren’t then we can decide to let them go. Alternatively, if we feel that they’re still appropriate we can formulate a plan of action to re-energise them and achieve them by the year end.

Essentially, it’s a good time to take stock and get clear on where we are in life. Once we have done this, we can start to turn our attention to what we would like to create and experience in the New Year. This helps to start the planning process. We can also plant seeds that can blossom in the spring.

During our reflections we can think about how we can bring greater balance to our life and what action we can take to increase our happiness. We can also contemplate if anything needs to change about our job/business, diet, general health and fitness, sleep, or relationships?

To help you with this process, I suggest that you also ask yourself “What am I no longer willing to tolerate in my life?” You may conclude that some of your habits or routines need to be changed or released. Once you have done this you can then turn your attention to deciding what healthy habits you would like to create in your life.

You may feel that you have some mental clutter that needs to be sorted and reduced. You may feel overwhelmed or that you’re over thinking things. You might think that you’re spending too much time locked in your head.

There may be some physical clutter that you need to dispose of. Clutter is defined in the Oxford dictionary “as a crowded and untidy collection of things.” Clutter can also be described as to things that are no longer needed or used, disorganised and untidy or crammed into a small space. It’s also anything that is unfinished or incomplete.

In summary, like trees shedding their leaves in autumn, you can shed anything that you no longer need, that no longer serves you or weighs you down. You can let go of things both mentally and physically.

Letting go of mental clutter makes us feel lighter and provides some clarity. When we purge physical clutter, it creates space in our life to experience new things and adventures. Life gets simplified when we let stuff go.

When we commit to change and decide to let go of things it requires some effort, discipline, and determination. We also need to be consistent in our actions to embed new behaviours and habits.

Letting go of things isn’t always easy to do. Beginning the process and taking the first step is often the hardest one to take. However, once we act, we create some momentum and will be able to embrace a new way of being more easily.

This particularly applies if we’re looking to change a long-held habit or behaviour. In such circumstances, it’s good to remind ourselves what the long-term benefits of the transformation will be. Having clarity on how the sacrifice will be worthwhile in the long run motivates us to act and overcome any procrastination.

This week why not take a few moments to reflect and ask yourself what you need to let go of by the year end. You can also decide what healthy habits you would like to work on creating.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk