Clearing What’s Holding Us Back (Listen to This On the Podcast Here)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of deciding the direction we want our lives to go. A couple of weeks ago, I talked about writing down our goals in all areas of life—whether it’s health, relationships, career, finances, or spirituality. The process of actually sitting down and getting clear about what you want is so crucial. After all, how can we reach our destination if we don’t even know where we want to go?

Today, I want to build on that idea by exploring the importance of clearing away what’s holding us back. With the full moon’s energy—a time known for releasing and letting go—it’s a perfect opportunity to get rid of anything that no longer serves us and make space for the new version of ourselves.

Why It’s Important to Clear What’s Holding You Back

In order to let go of what’s not serving us, we first need to be clear about the direction we’re moving in. Once we know where we’re headed, it’s time to take an honest look at our actions and behaviors. Ask yourself: “Are the things I’m doing every day actually moving me toward my goals?”

For example, if you say, “I want to improve my health. I want to feel strong, fit, and energized.” But, every day, you skip your workouts, eat junk food, and engage in habits that don’t support that vision, then your actions aren’t aligned with what you say you want. And that creates frustration and a sense of being stuck.

The same principle applies to any area of life. Whether it’s building a meaningful relationship, advancing in your career, or growing spiritually, the actions you take (or don’t take) each day will either help you reach your goals or hold you back.

Quote to remember:
“Your actions must align with your aspirations.”

Identifying What’s Holding You Back

So what exactly could be holding you back from living your best life? Here are a few areas to reflect on:

• Your daily habits: Are your routines supporting your goals?
• Your belief systems: Are you holding onto limiting beliefs that say you’re not capable or deserving of what you want?
• The way you talk to yourself: Are your inner thoughts kind, encouraging, and empowering, or are they negative and self-sabotaging?
• Relationships: Are the people in your life supportive, or are they draining your energy?
• Your environment: Is your physical space cluttered and chaotic, making it difficult to focus on what’s important?
• Your job or career path: Is your work in alignment with your passions and values, or is it leaving you feeling unfulfilled?

Important point:
It’s not about making huge, drastic changes overnight. It’s about acknowledging what’s no longer serving you and making small, gradual shifts in the right direction.

The Not-To-Do List Exercise

One of the most powerful tools I use to clear away what’s holding me back is what I call the Not-To-Do List. This exercise helps you take a closer look at your day-to-day actions and evaluate whether they’re aligned with your goals.

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Track Your Time

Over the next day or week, write down everything you do. Be brutally honest. If you spend two hours scrolling on social media or binge-watching Netflix, write it down. The point isn’t to judge yourself but to get a clear picture of how you’re spending your time.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Actions

Look at the list of activities you’ve written down and ask yourself, “Are these actions moving me closer to my goals or holding me back?” For each item, decide whether it’s truly necessary or if it’s just a distraction.

Step 3: Sort Into Three Categories

Once you’ve evaluated your activities, place them into three categories:

1. Ditch: These are activities that you can completely eliminate because they don’t serve your goals.
   • Example: Scrolling social media for hours or engaging in gossip.
2. Delegate: These are tasks that need to get done, but not necessarily by you. Can you pass them off to someone else, either by asking for help or hiring someone to handle them?
   • Example: Hiring a house cleaner once a month or delegating tasks to a co-worker.
3. Do: These are the essential activities that only you can do. They’re important and aligned with your goals.
   • Example: Working on your personal growth, spending quality time with loved ones, or focusing on your health.

Quote to highlight:
“Don’t just fill your days with tasks—fill them with purpose.”

The Power of Delegation

Now, let’s talk about the magic of delegation. So many of us think we have to do everything ourselves, but that’s simply not true. Delegation doesn’t just apply to work or business; it can be used in everyday life too. Whether it’s hiring help to clean your house, asking your partner to take on more responsibility with the kids, or even trading tasks with a friend, delegation can free up your time and energy to focus on what really matters.

If you’re thinking, “I can’t afford to hire help,” I challenge you to look into it. You might be surprised at how affordable it can be to have someone clean your home once a month or help with other tasks. And remember, your time is valuable. Delegating tasks that drain you allows you to invest your energy in the things that truly matter.

Making Lasting Change

Once you’ve sorted your activities into the three categories—Ditch, Delegate, and Do—it’s time to start making changes. Here’s where the real work begins. If nothing changes, nothing changes. You have to be willing to let go of what’s not serving you, even if it feels uncomfortable.

• What are you going to ditch completely?
• What tasks can you delegate to someone else?
• What actions are you committed to doing yourself, knowing they will move you toward your goals?

This exercise is meant to help you clear away the things that are blocking your progress and create space for more happiness, joy, and peace in your life. Remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

The most important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to make a change. You’re never too old, too young, too busy, or too stuck. Whether you want to improve your health, change careers, or cultivate deeper relationships, it all starts with small, intentional steps.

Quote to inspire:
"The best time to start is now. Your future self will thank you."

Final Thoughts

Clearing away what’s holding us back isn’t just about letting go—it’s about making room for more of what we truly want. When you take the time to assess your daily actions and realign them with your goals, you’ll start to feel more in control, more empowered, and more at peace.

If you’d like more tools and support like this, I share exercises like the Not-To-Do List regularly in the Soul Aligned Self-Care Circle membership. There’s a 10-day free trial going on right now, so it’s a great time to join and start taking those small steps toward your dreams.

Let me know how this exercise works for you! You can message me on Instagram @TinaStinsonCoach. I’d love to hear from you and support you on your journey.

Until next time,
With love and care,
Tina

Closing thought:
“Nothing changes if nothing changes. Start now, and watch your life transform.”