Make The Cut: Optimizing Your Life Through Removal

In our quest to optimize our lives, we often focus on adding more – more tasks, more commitments, more possessions. However, true optimization usually involves subtraction rather than addition. To optimize something means to make it as perfect, functional, or effective as possible, and this process requires us to step back and focus on smaller, essential pieces of the puzzle. 

Consider the concept of “carrying cost.” In business, carrying cost refers to the expenses incurred by holding inventory over time. Similarly, in life, we have carrying costs – the price we pay for holding onto things, relationships, or habits that no longer serve us. It’s essential to ask yourself, “What can I get rid of so that I can make space for what truly matters?”

Here are some ideas of things to cut from your life:

1. Distractions: Identify the distractions in your life, whether it’s a ringing phone, endless notifications, or simply noise in the background of whatever you’re doing. Minimize these distractions to regain focus and productivity.
2. Unhealthy Relationships: Evaluate your relationships and minimize or eliminate time spent with those who drain your energy or bring you down. Surround yourself with positive influences so you can go through life with a positive mindset.
3. Saying Yes: Learn to say no more often. Your time is valuable and finite. Prioritize your time for what truly matters to you so you can find fulfillment in what you do each day.
4. The Chaos: Bring order to your life by creating systems and spaces that promote peace and productivity. A clutter-free environment can lead to a clutter-free mind. Work to dissolve the chaos and clutter around your home by getting rid of things you no longer use. If you haven’t found a need for an item in over a month, that may be a sign it’s time to sell or donate it.
5. Unmindful Consumption: Pay attention to what you consume daily, especially with information. Be mindful of the content you allow into your mind, whether it’s from social media, books, YouTube videos, movies, and more. Opt for content that motivates, inspires, and uplifts, and stop consuming things that make you feel inferior or disinterested.

In a world filled with distractions and excess, optimizing your life through removal can be a transformative journey. By letting go of what no longer serves you, you create space for what truly matters, enabling you to live a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Remember, it’s not about how much you can add to your life, but how much you can subtract to reveal the true essence of what you want to achieve.