A little personal development goes a long way in the business world and this next concept is no exception.
As a consultant, one of the most vital lessons I’ve learned, and a concept I teach, is the power of letting go.
Holding onto ideas, thoughts, behaviors and attachments that don’t serve you will prevent you from serving others and evolving in your career. This idea is one of the keys to achieving success.
Why is letting go important in business? Here are three reasons why.
Letting Go Clears Your Mind of Emotional Clutter
Mental and emotional clutter such as negative thoughts or attachments hinders our ability to focus and make progress. Meditation, practicing breathwork or finding a strategy that helps rid the mind of negativity is ideal in that in helps one start the workday from a place of neutral and calm instead of stressed and overwhelmed.
Letting Go Helps You Move Forward From Past Mistakes
Mistakes, failures and negative experiences are events we can’t change but we can move forward by applying the lessons we’ve learned from our past. Holding on may make us feel stuck and miss out on new ideas and opportunities that can lead us to success. This will aid us in making progress toward our goals.
Letting Go Releases Attachment of Criticism
This is a big one. Criticism in the workplace, even constructive criticism is usually taken personally. No one likes to be criticized, especially when it’s coming from a judgmental place. But we have to learn how to identify and understand the difference between false perspectives and constructive criticism. Not only that, releasing our feelings and expectations attached to the criticism will only elevate us in the end.
As an expert in my field, I choose to lead by example. I allow others to express their ideas, even if it resists my suggestions. I’ve learned how to let go of the attachment to doing things my way. While most of the time, my role is that of a teacher, occasionally I find myself learning from clients and becoming the student. We have to be willing to allow people to express their ideas whether they fit our agenda or not.
Emotions and biases can cloud our judgment and hinder effective decision-making. We want to avoid becoming defensive and making decisions based on reaction rather than logic.
This is a humbling concept for business owners, CEOs and their employees because the ego loves emotional attachments. But letting go kills the ego, in turn helping to strengthen relationships and prevent workplace conflicts.
While this idea may feel controversial, it helps us build resilience and adaptability as we become more flexible and able to respond to new situations, challenges and opportunities.
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