When you’re trying to build a better business, you read a lot about what you should be adding to your life. There’s a lot about the habits you need to develop. Everyone has a list of things you need to do first thing in the morning.
But sometimes it’s not about what you’re adding to your life and your business. Instead, there are times it’s about letting go. If you want a better business (and a better life), it also helps to get rid of some of the things holding you back.
1. The Past
You can learn from the past. But you don’t want to live there, and you don’t want to hold onto it. Learn to let go of the past. There have been times in my life where I’ve sat around thinking about what I should have done or could have done.
It doesn’t help me build a better business or move forward in my life.
Instead, take those failures, find the lessons, and apply them to the present and the future. Then let the past go. Focus on moving forward and doing the next thing.
2. Mundane Tasks
It’s tempting to try and do everything yourself in business and in life, especially if you’re currently bootstrapping. However, there are times you need to let go of some of the control and let go of some of those mundane tasks. Outsourcing can free up some of your time and your head space to concentrate on what’s really important to your business.
Plus, when you free up more time to build your better business, you can also free up time for other things, like family and relaxation. Take a look at some of the things you keep holding onto. Are they really enriching your life? Are they really helping you move forward? And will spending time on them really help you grow your business.
3. Activities That Don’t Enrich Your Life
Right now, I’ve got the nutrition thing down and the exercise thing mostly down. But I’m still struggling with my weight. Part of the issue? My doctor says stress has a lot to do with it. I said yes to a lot of things, some of which aren’t enriching my life or helping me build a better business.
So, I’ve started to let go some of those activities. I cut back my participation in a local business group. It wasn’t helping me build my business (oddly enough) and I realized that all it did was suck my time and energy. Time I could be spending on things I enjoyed more, things that made my life better, and things that helped me grow my business. And, with the stress level dropping, I’m seeing more success with my weight control efforts.
4. Toxic Relationships
Let go of toxic relationships that suck it out of you. These can be business relationships or personal relationships. You don’t have to completely cut a toxic loved one out of your life, but you can let go of some aspects of the relationship and set boundaries. Don’t partner with businesses that take more than they give. Pay attention to how these relationships impact you and let go of those that are dragging you down instead of helping you move forward.
