Sometimes it is beneficial to leave things behind. This isn’t something that we talk about very often. We tend to be all about the looking forward, rather than behind. But I want you to change that pattern for a moment…let me explain why.
As children we are taught to eat everything on our plates, to finish the book we started, and to complete the work we began. What if as adults we stopped thinking that we always had to finish everything?
Sometimes we need to take a moment to see how far we have come and what we have achieved already. It might be that the project we are working on has already run its course, and it is time to drop it- and yes that means before it is finished! Or the book we started, but are actually hating, is ok to donate to the charity shop. It’s ok to stop if it is better for you than completing it.
In this week’s podcast I explain why it is important for our creative careers to sometimes leave things behind. I talk about the benefits of doing it, and I set you a personal challenge to look at your own career in this way.
Leaving things behind can feel intimidating at times. The benefits of leaving them behind should out weigh those uncomfortable feelings. The important thing is to review how far you have already come, and whether the things, people, places and experiences that you are having at the moment are worth carrying on to the next phase of your career.
We live many lives. I’m not the same person that I was when I was in my 20’s, and that is fine as I have had so many more experiences since then, that have changed my outlook and made me a better version of myself.
We shouldn’t be fearful of change. It shows that we are progressing and moving forward. If you think about the next 12 months and the things that you want to achieve, are the things that you are doing right now going to help you with that journey? If they aren’t, examine why and make a decision to leave them behind.
Nothing stays the same, that is the beauty of life. If we cling too tightly to what we have right now, we can never see all of the life, future and excitement that is right in front of us. Change is uncomfortable when we have no control over it. The key is to plan for change, and make decisions yourself to help you on your own way.
Sometimes the path we have chosen doesn’t turn out to be the one that we end on. And that is ok. We don’t need to be fearful of that. We can find friends, companions and helpers to guide our way. The CWI is always here to inspire and help you if you are looking for other people experiencing the same journey as you.
Let me know in the comments below some of the things that you are going to leave behind in order to move forward with your career.