Letting Go Of Things That No Longer Serve You.

It could be a box of old clothes that haven't fit in a decade, a bunch of old paperwork, or a toxic friendship, but we all have things we hang on to long past their expiration date. Sometimes we hold on because we spent a lot of time or money acquiring them, maybe we feel guilty about getting rid of them, maybe we worry we will need it the second we toss it aside. No matter the complicated psychology behind it, letting go of things is tough.

The complexities of parting with things absolutely apply to small businesses. Perhaps you have software that was great when you got it, but now you've outgrown it. You spent so much money on it and invested so much time on training and it feels like a waste to try something else. Maybe there's a product you offer that isn't selling as well as it used to, but you feel sentimental about its origin and you just can't bring yourself to take it out of rotation. Here are a few things to let go of when it comes to your small business:

Let go of certainty.

There is a finite number of things you can control. Make a plan, execute the plan, and let go of everything else. All the externals and things outside of your scope are scary af, but lying awake at night eats away at your productivity (and your stomach lining).

Let go of the need to be right.

No matter how small your business, all sorts of people will influence your business. Clients, vendors, employees and the market as a whole will all have something to say about how things should be. As the business owner, it's understandable to want to control every aspect of everything. However, it's important to listen to those around you and genuinely consider their ideas and opinions. Sometimes you will have to concede that your idea isn't always the best one. It doesn't make you any less the boss, but it will make you infinitely more successful.

Let go of your relationship with conflict.

Conflict is such an ugly word. Most of us HATE conflict, and we will avoid it when we can. While not every battle is worth fighting, it's crucial to understand that conflict is nothing more than a difference in expectations. The way you approach this difference will either enhance or destroy connections you need to survive. Shoot for the sweet spot of understanding another point of view and still respecting your own boundaries.

What do YOU need to let go of? Do you have trouble letting go of things you've invested time or money in? Do you hate conflict, or do you charge towards it? Let us know in the comments!