Be Aware: The first step to dealing with anything is simply to become aware of the problem. Start paying attention to the mental and emotional clutter that fills your head. Tune into your self-talk, your old tapes, your worries. The more you notice them, the easier it is to change them - or just get rid of them.
Live in the Now: Look at those negative emotions and old tapes you're carrying around from the past, and let them go. That was then, and this is now. You have grown, and the times and situations are different. And notice what you're worrying about. How likely is that to happen - really? Instead of wasting your time and energy worrying about the future, start planning for it. Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Ignore: Those little voices in your head (Gremlins) are going to be with you the rest of your life. If you engage in an argument with them, you will usually lose. Instead notice them, and simply ignore what they are saying. (You could also apply some of the tricks I suggested in another of my Musings, Banish Your Critic.)
Set Goals: If you have well thought out, clearly written goals for your week/year/life, you'll have a much easier time knowing what to do each day. You'll stay focused and on purpose. It will also be easier to . . .
Choose: Start to make conscious choices about what you put on that To Do list, about the projects you start, the commitments you make. Learn to say "No," not just to others, but also to yourself. If you're not passionate about something, or if it won't serve your goals and your purpose, don't let it in your life.
Eliminate: Finally, what can you let go of? What are you doing/thinking/feeling that isn't serving you? Pare your life and your commitments down to manageable levels. I'm not suggesting you quit your job, get a divorce, and move to Tahiti. But do you really need to be on two committees, the HOA board, and the softball team? Do you really need to volunteer for overtime at work? The world won't stop if you let a few things slide.
If you follow those six life changing steps, you'll eliminate 85% of the internal clutter in your life. (A life without some clutter simply isn't possible. We're human.) You'll be more focused and less hurried, more confident and less worried. You'll have more time and energy. Just imagine how great your life would be then!
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