Your Growth in 2024: Would you Add or Subtract?

Dear Friend,

If I asked you what kind of changes you want in your life and career as you enter 2024, chances are your instinct would be to think about what more you want.

More goals
More opportunities
More achievements

If I asked you to improve a travel itinerary, you would think of what other activities you could add to it.

If I asked you to improve a recipe, you would think about what additional ingredients it could use.

When we think of improving something, and of change and growth, our instinct is always to ADD.

The word growth itself indicates an increase in something.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with adding, can we not make something better by also asking

What can I subtract here?
What can I take away?
What can I say NO to?
What can I let go of?

Our cluttered calendars, inboxes and closets are evidence of our inability to subtract.

As Leidy Klotz reminds us in Subtract, “A poet knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Subtraction can be an overlooked force for positive changes in our lives.

As you begin 2024, my encouragement to you would be to also look at what you want to subtract or let go of.

For instance, if you want to build a more Visible Brand this year, so that your work is more valued, you would need to

 Let go of the judgment of others, so you can talk more boldly about your work and your accomplishments.
 Let go of appearing perfect, so you can challenge yourself to take more risks.
 Let go of your fear of rejection, so you can reach out to the right set of people for support.

All of which would support your highest growth.

As Lao Tzu said, “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.”

Let’s make 2024 your finest year yet!