Make Space for What Truly Matters
I recently went to file some papers and discovered there wasn’t any room left in the drawer to fit anything else. I began looking through the contents and quickly realized it was time to let go of the papers and files I’d been holding onto for far too long that I didn’t really need.
This experience made me realize something: Holding onto things we no longer need often keeps us stuck, both physically and mentally.
There's a principle known as the 80/20 rule, which suggests that 80% of our results often come from just 20% of our efforts. This rule can apply to nearly every area of life: In work, 80% of your productivity may come from 20% of your tasks. In relationships, 80% of your happiness might stem from just 20% of the people you spend time with.
Just as the 80/20 rule applies to those areas, it also plays a significant role in how we manage our space, time, and energy.
This experience made me realize something: Holding onto things we no longer need often keeps us stuck, both physically and mentally.
Often, I hear clients say they “don’t have enough time” to accomplish everything they want to do. Or they “don’t have the energy” left to focus on what truly matters after taking care of their responsibilities. Maybe they feel like there “isn’t enough space” in their life, their closet, or even their mind. But here’s the real question: What are we holding onto, and why?
We often keep things because of:
Obligation: A gift we don’t use, or a memento tied to the past.
Fear of letting go: We worry, "What if I need this later?"
Sentimental attachment: We believe something has value, even if it no longer does.
These items—physical or mental—are like emotional clutter.
When we release what no longer serves us—whether it's old clothes, outdated ideas, or limiting habits—we create space for the 20% that truly matters.
When we release what no longer serves us—whether it's old clothes, outdated ideas, or limiting habits—we create space for the 20% that truly matters. This opens the door to:
More mental clarity: Less clutter means more focus.
Increased energy: When distractions are gone, we have more energy for what truly matters.
New opportunities: Letting go of what's holding us back makes room for new ideas, connections, and experiences.
Take a moment to reflect on what might be taking up space in your life—physically or emotionally. Then, take one small step today to clear something out. It could be a drawer, an old habit, or a belief that no longer serves you.
When you do this, I think you’ll find that new opportunities start to appear in the space you've created.
Reflection: Is there something in your life, whether physical or mental, that you've been holding onto for far too long?
Action: Take one small step today to clear something out. Maybe it’s a drawer, a toxic habit or an old belief that is no longer true.
Tool: Four Day Win