Making Room for Change
By Ginny Williams
From the April 2006
Issue of Applaud Magazine

If you have ever moved, you know that one of the biggest chores is getting rid of years of accumulated stuff. The wisest movers pitch more than they pack. Why would you want to spend the time, energy and money packing, moving and unpacking belongings that are broken, worn-out or just don’t fit into your life anymore? The same principle applies whenever you are going through an important life transition, or when you are beginning anything new or challenging. In order to make room for the new, positive changes you want to bring into your life, the most important first step you can take is getting rid of what no longer serves your life. In her book, “Trust Your Vibes” author Sonia Choquette writes about the importance of letting go of anything that is draining your energy, including “…Unnecessary and unwanted possessions, unfinished business, too many commitments, negative thinking, judgments, mental projections, resentments from the past and negative associations in the present.” Creating closure and opening up space allows you to move forward with ease, instead of keeping you stuck in the past. So what do you need to let go of, in order to make room for what you really want? Do you need to tie up loose ends with your finances? Make a difficult phone call? Follow up on your medical and dental appointments? Taking care of unfinished business is an effective way to give yourself peace of mind before launching toward a new direction. The process also acts like training wheels. It puts you into action, generating small successes, which in turn create the momentum that will keep you energized to continue. Begin with the Tangible If you’re not sure where to begin creating space, start with something tangible, because the results are almost instantly satisfying. For example, look around your home. Is clutter an issue? Be honest with yourself and include all of your living spaces, including closets, dresser drawers, basement and the inside of your car. If you are overwhelmed with the amount of clutter surrounding you, begin with a very small space that you use frequently, such as your lingerie drawer, or make-up drawer. Toss out anything you do not love, or have not used or worn in the last 12 months. Purging old or unwanted items can become addictive, so once you’re on a roll continue with other clutter centers, such as your desk and file cabinets, email and files on your PC, or your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. If you struggle with getting started, ask a friend to help you or hire a professional organizer. Continue with the Intangible Sometimes what you need to eliminate isn’t always so obvious. In order to create the kind of life you desire, it may be necessary for you to look inward and do some internal clutter clearing. Years of exposure to the thoughts an opinions of family, friends, teachers, co-workers, the media and society in general have probably influenced your own thoughts and emotions. While the opinions and beliefs of others can be useful when they are constructive, very often the advice of others can prevent you from listening to the most important voice of all, your own heart speaking to you. Here are some of the most common mental and emotional barriers to success: 1. Fears – Our fears are often the reason we don’t reach for more, try new things, or take a new direction. Fears are a normal part of life, as long as you don’t let them stop you from expanding your world. If you want to make a life change but find yourself paralyzed by all the potential pitfalls, consider working with a therapist or coach to help you move past your fears. 2. Beliefs – You may not realize it, but you have accumulated many beliefs about yourself and the world around you. Are your beliefs empowering you or limiting you? If you have doubts about your ability to take action towards your dreams, then your beliefs may need a tune-up. In order to change your beliefs to empowering ones, you need to be open to the idea that something different is possible. For example, if you believe that you’re too old to go start a new career, research those who have changed direction later in life. Don’t look for reasons why you’ll fail. Instead, seek evidence of success in others and use them as role models. 3. Self-talk – Your thoughts have tremendous power over your actions. If you want to become more confident, start talking to yourself like you are already a winner. Monitor yourself for a couple of weeks, or ask someone who knows you well to listen for potentially destructive statements. One strategy is to write down all of your perceived weaknesses, then change them to empowering statements. For example, if you tell yourself “I cannot remember anything.” change the statement to, “I have an excellent memory.” Once you experience the exhilaration of eliminating the tangible and intangible energy drains in your life, you will understand why this process is so vital to personal growth and success. In order to create the life you want, make sure you create the space for it first! Ginny Williams is a professional life coach based in North Andover, MA. She has helped her clients start and manage their own successful businesses, transition into rewarding careers, and make changes towards more fulfilling lives. Ginny can be reached at (978) 685-4447, email Ginny@CoachGinny.com or at www.coachginny.com