Top Ten Loose Ends

Many years ago when I first started working with a coach, I was introduced to the concept of "tolerations". These "little" things, left undone, unexamined or incomplete eventually eroded focus, slowed momentum and acted like sand in my gas tank. Although more than 15 years have passed since I began my career as a coach, the list of so-called "little things" that slow people down has remained almost constant.

The list I share with you today is by no means exhaustive. In fact, it is intentionally brief. But it does represent the "top ten loose ends" I've discovered that consistently trip people up. You may have some that don't appear here and I'd love to hear them. But review the list and commit this week to tying up at least a few of the loose ends that, left undone, might unravel the progress you so want to make in your life and business right now. And let's face it, there are enough forces "out there" working to undo our progress, we don't need to give them any help! So here goes:

1) Incomplete communication. It doesn't matter if it's a week old, a month old, or a year old, an incomplete communication is still that-incomplete. Find a way this week to close the loop.

2) Clutter. Basically clutter is stuff you haven't made a decision about. It might be paper or some other type of junk clogging up your life. Do a "clutter scan" and commit to eliminating at least one clutter clog this week.

3) Unread books or magazines. Shelve the books you aren't reading or donate them. Dump the magazines that are more than a month old. And cancel subscriptions you no longer want. I recently cancelled a subscription for a publication I've subscribed to for nearly 10 years! Guess what? I haven't missed it at all.

4) Someone else's goals. Are those goals you've set really yours or someone else's "should" for you. Make the decision to figure out which and then let go of all the stuff that isn't part of your personal passion list.

5) Out-of-date insurance policies, wills, trusts and other legal documents. This one can and will jump up to bite you! Make certain that you have regular communication with your professional service providers to insure that everything is in good order. As someone has wisely pointed out, "you never know how soon it could be too late."

6) Emotional baggage. Are you still letting your emotional history dictate your present and future happiness? Do what you need to do to let go of the old emotional junk. Get counseling, work with your spiritual advisor or some other healing remedy. But find a way to make peace with your past.

7) Unforgiveness. This one holds a place separate from #6. It is absolutely essential that you practice forgiveness on a moment-by-moment basis. The more we let go of any perceived injury-be it a rude driver or clerk, or forgiving yourself for your own flaws and imperfections-the more energy you have to embrace the current moment and make the most of it.

8) Half-finished hobbies/projects. I once met a woman who confessed that she had a room filled with unfinished hobbies and projects. She felt bound to keep them because of all the money she had spent on them, and her guilt was overwhelming. I don't know if she ever chose to get rid of them. I do know if you have a room full of half-finished projects they are taking up more space than you realize and are keeping you from living fully and effectively in the present. There are lots of ways you can clean this one up besides dumping them in the trash. Donate them to a school, an assisted living facility, a shelter or some other group or organization that can use them. But clear them out!

9) Organizations you no longer choose to support. Are you maintaining a membership in an organization whose mission or values is no longer a fit for yours? If so, do yourself and the organization a favor by completing your membership-now! Make room for someone who is looking for exactly that type of organization. We all need to periodically review our time commitments and ask the questions: Does this still provide value for me? Am I providing value to this organization or just taking up space on their membership list?

10) Relationships you've outgrown. Please don't misunderstand and think I am recommending that you dump your friends and family. BUT, if you're spending the majority of your time and energy around people who are not contributing to your life in a positive way, or worse, are energy drains, it's time to raise your standards and start making yourself scarce. Take a look at anyone you may have unfinished business with, make a sincere effort to complete it and move on. This one change alone could make a quantum difference in the way you're living your life.

In the story of Gulliver's Travels, the mythical giant Gulliver is incapacitated by the miniature Lilliputians who tie him down with a million tiny threads. The above list of "loose ends" is just the kind of stuff that can tie you and me down big time! Make the decision this week to get busy tying up the loose ends in your life. And in the process free yourself to be the "giant" player in life you were designed to be!!