I was broke, flat broke, with no direction or purpose. There were so many things to achieve, I honestly didn’t want to choose.
So, I did it all…
… studying for the GRE, working as a waitress, babysitter, and receptionist, looking for another job to add to the list. I wanted to make money, figure out the next move, try to start a business!
I burned out, with no money left, three credit cards at the limit, and spread far too thin.
“This ISN’T working.”
There was my inner voice, telling me to stop simultaneously digging my self into a hold and clawing my way out. #Ironic
I decided to take a step back, focus on one thing, and figure that one thing out.
I chose to figure out the money.
Committing to one thing and blocking out everything else meant I was no longer doing things that drained the money I didn’t have.
I got rid of stuff that created the appearance I wanted but couldn’t (yet) afford.
“Goodbye fancy car and apartment!”
As a result, without doing anything else, I immediately had more money.
Immediately, I no longer needed three jobs and could go down to one.
Working one job meant I could go back to school, take the GRE, and get into a top graduate school program.
Having the degree allowed me to triple my income.
Do you see how success can snowball quickly with just one decision?
Within 9 months, my money issue was taken care of for good.
By making a choice, I created a big impact in one direction instead of putting time and energy in different directions, working hard but getting nowhere.
The Big takeaway
Invest in what’s most important and going to make the biggest difference to you RIGHT NOW and put everything else on hold.
This is what is meant by ‘decluttering your desires’.
What is Decluttering Your Desires?
My attendees come in with so many desires, stuff going on, things to achieve, and trying to do it all.
They’re powerful women who have already achieved massive success, and are looking to accomplish even more. They want a degree, a new job, to start an impactful business, write a book or just to make the day-to-day work with more joy in their hearts.
The big thing these powerful ladies struggle with? Figuring out what to do first.
Desires can fill your heart, but can also overwhelm if you have too many.
With so many choices, how in the world do you choose the thing you want to do?
Hint: You don’t.
It’s actually time to give those desires the ‘Marie Kondo’ treatment! Tidy house equals tidy mind, right? Same with desires.
How to Marie Kondo Your Desires
list your desires
Make a list of everything you’re trying to achieve: big things, small things, and all the things that come in between. Include short-term fixes to things way down the road, like writing a book, buying a house, getting a man!
Lay out everything in your heart and soul, even if you can’t pursue it at the moment. Get all those dreams onto paper to free up headspace for what matters RIGHT NOW.
Otherwise, your goals will always be at the back of your mind, taking up energy, and distracting from what’s really important.
ask hard questions
Once you have all your dreams on paper, you can start to ask the real questions.
Will doing this one thing lead me closer to where I want to be?
Will it bring joy and happiness?
Do I even WANT to do this thing?
Make A Choice
Use these questions to choose one goal to pursue, and leave the rest behind.
Don’t think decluttering means taking away something you desire and can’t wait to do, or giving up on any dreams.
It’s the opposite!
You’re aiming for the championship by benching certain things to win one game at a time.
Choose one goal to work on right now knowing that once it’s accomplished, those other desires will still be there. And you can come to them later with the time and energy to do them justice.
The Secret To Decluttering Your Desires
believe what you say
… and act as if you truly believe it.
We say “I want to start a successful business.”
And then start three businesses at the same time, apply for a master’s program to land a better job just in case, and secretly keep an eye out for a rich potential husband at the same time.
What if you really believed yourself?
Would you still spread yourself too thin trying to do all the things? No!
You would trust that you have it together, know what’s right, and be confident in choosing that first step towards achieving what lights up your soul.
Know that by making these tough choices, you’re moving toward your dreams.
That’s all I’m asking you to do today.
Declutter your desires so you can choose and do what matters most.
Drop a comment below: Which desire will you choose prioritize first?
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About the author
Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!
