Letting go of stuff, negative thoughts, bad energy, and certain patterns can have the most rejuvenating effect. Recently this spring, I took some time doing just that. I let go of some things that needed releasing. If you're in need of an energy boost, maybe some of these ideas will be beneficial for you too. Peruse the list and try one.

3 Tips for Letting Go

1. Clutter Clearing:  Maybe the clutter is a small pile on the corner of your desk that feels like a mountain. Perhaps the clutter is your pile of clothes covering the bottom of your closet that makes it difficult to get dressed. Whatever and wherever the clutter is, spend some time sorting, releasing, and claiming back your space. I've had a growing pile of papers on my desk for too long. Each piece represented something to do, someone to call, a great idea to consider, or a random piece of intriguing information. When I finally decided, "Today's the day!” I filed, acted, and released. I felt so much lighter and happier. My thoughts were clearer, and so was my desk.

2. Thought Busters:  It's been an unusual and more stressful time than normal. Between losing my dad, having other family and friends in the hospital, running a business, going away for the annual NAPO conference, taking coaching classes, and working with coaching clients, I've felt overwhelmed. Things are beginning to calm down after many months of being overloaded. I finally realized how unhelpful it was to continue verbalizing the stress. It only fueled my negative thoughts. Instead, I decided to redirect my words to be more encouraging. I’ve decided to say, "I am doing my best, and that's good enough." I'm letting go of the guilt over what I'm not doing or could be doing. This is liberating.

3. Energy Boosters:  Are there people, things, or places that zap your sparkle? Is it time to let go of them? Paying attention to the things that deplete you is an important step in figuring out what to release. On the positive side, it's as important to be aware of what restores your energy. When we let go of the things that are troubling us, we make space for things that are nourishing. For me, I've been spending too much time inside. Instead of writing this post on my desktop, I went outdoors to write. I was able to enjoy the beautiful, sun-filled day. There was a slight breeze, the swooshing sound of the leaves rustling, birds chirping, and a distant woodpecker tapping. I could feel myself recharging as I sat and wrote. I let go of where I thought I should be writing and changed my environment. It made a huge difference. Be willing to move, shift and release. The outcome will surprise you.

What is your favorite letting go tip or experience? I invite you to join our conversation and share your thoughts.

Yota Schneider, Open for SuccessLife transitions coach, Yota Schneider shares more perspectives about next steps in this two-part interview. In Part 1, Yota talked with me about many things including key ingredients for making successful choices and navigating the uncertainty gap.  Our conversation continues as she shares more insights with us. Before we begin, here’s some background about Yota.

Yota Schneider is a life transitions coach working with people who want to explore the hidden gifts and opportunities of change in their lives. Her approach is inspiring, practical, and empowering. As a Seasons of Change certified Master Coach and a mindfulness meditation practitioner, Yota uses a variety of tools and strategies to help her clients overcome self-doubt, gain a new perspective on life’s ups and downs, and make decisions and choices that are fueled by greater clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or her website.

Linda:  Why do we get stuck and have difficulty moving forward?

Yota:  Change isn’t easy. Whether it’s our choice or not, we still have to adapt to a new way of being and that can be intimidating.

During times of transition we come up against our fears, disempowering beliefs and habits, unrealistic expectations, and external pressure. There are practical matters to cope with, growing pains to tolerate and let’s not forget, timing. There’s a time for everything. Time plays by it’s own rules. We have no control over some things.

Being stuck and having difficulty moving forward can be a good thing because it gives us the time and space we need to do our homework and become the kind of person who can recognize, appreciate and take full advantage of what comes next.

Unless being stuck and unable to more forward is rooted in some chronic life issue that needs to be dealt with, use this time as a time of exploration and discovery. Let go of the stigma and look at it from a place of curiosity.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around figuring out the next step?

Yota:  Patience isn’t my strong suit. I am no different than many people who want things done yesterday. I also have the tendency to be hard on my self. At times of transition, when nothing is quite clear and the day-to-day needs are pressing on me, I can hear the voice in my head saying, “Not again. You should know better by now. Why in the world can’t you be like other people?”

I guess that’s why I love working with people who are being challenged from the inside out. I know the drill all too well. Over the years and through the many changes and transitions I’ve experienced, I’ve learned to work with the voice of doubt and fear.

I hear it and recognize it for what it is- the voice of self-doubt. I don’t fight it, but I don’t welcome it either. I just recognize and breathe through it. I take good care of myself. I give my attention to what’s right in front of me. I become selective of whom I surround myself with. I read, journal, meditate, work in my garden, and take long walks. I try to honor that part of me that needs to be quiet, still, and creative. I go with the flow. When I fall, I pick myself up gently.

Over the years, I’ve learned and am still learning, what it means to be kind to one self. Life can be difficult at times. I don’t have to make things more difficult than they already are.

Linda:  What is the most surprising discovery about figuring out “next”?

Yota:  I’ve been through enough changes and maybe I shouldn’t be surprised by what I’m going to share with you, yet, I always catch myself in awe about these two points.

First, what needs to change will always change. Fighting against the inevitable makes things more difficult than they ought to be.  Once, we stop resisting and let go of the need to know why it happened, the process of figuring out “what’s next” is a lot easier than we think.

Next, no matter how difficult a transition may be and how impatient we may grow or how many tantrums we may throw in the process, things will unravel at their own pace. Then, one day we open our eyes as if waking up from a long winter’s nap, and find ourselves exactly where we belong. We feel renewed, refreshed, and ready for another round.

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

Yota:  You’ve been really thorough, Linda. The one thing that comes to mind is what happens after we’ve embarked on our “next” stage.

Many either don’t know how to or forget to celebrate the warmth of summer after a long and cold winter. Many of us tend to look over our shoulder, waiting for the next shoe to drop, even as we’re embraced by success. Lousy habit, don’t you think?

Remember the importance to celebrate as we go. There’s so much to be grateful for. Why not take inventory, count our blessings, celebrate our success and the completion of yet, another journey? Change will come around again but, in the meantime, let’s celebrate what we have, what we learned, and share our gifts with others. It’s like storing sunny memories for when the cold of winter comes around again. It comes handy.

Thank you so much for inviting me to discuss one of my favorite subjects. I can’t wait to see what your readers share about their experience.

Thank you, Yota for your wonderful thoughts about next steps. I invite all of you to join us as we continue the conversation. What are your thoughts, experiences or questions about next steps?

Yota Schneider, Open for SuccessLast month I introduced a new monthly “Ask the Expert” feature on The Other Side of Organized blog. I interviewed John Ryan of The Life Change Network about change. This month, since we’re talking about next steps, I’ve invited the warm, insightful life coach, Yota Schneider to share her wisdom with you.

It has been a pleasure to get to know Yota over this past year. My gratitude and thanks goes to her for sharing her thoughts about next steps. The interview is a two-part series. Part 2 will post this Wednesday. Come back to learn more because the wisdom she shares is too good to miss. Before we begin, here’s some background about Yota.

Yota Schneider is a life transitions coach working with people who want to explore the hidden gifts and opportunities of change in their lives. Her approach is inspiring, practical, and empowering. As a Seasons of Change certified Master Coach and a mindfulness meditation practitioner, Yota uses a variety of tools and strategies to help her clients overcome self-doubt, gain a new perspective on life’s ups and downs, and make decisions and choices that are fueled by greater clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or her website.

Linda:  You are a Seasons of Change certified Master Coach and expert on helping others figure out their next step. What are the key ingredients for making successful choices?

Yota:  Our choices depend on who we are at any given moment, our temperament and basic personality, what our priorities and aspirations are, where we stand on the continuum of our life and the influences we’re subjected to. What appears to be a successful choice today may not be such a great idea on a different day.

Like with everything else, we can only do the best we can. What does doing our best mean? It has to do with self-awareness, trust, timing, clarity, and refusal to settle for less than life has to offer.

We are not born knowing what successful choices look like. As we grow into our lives and gather experiences, we begin to understand that the only person we can really be is our self and the only life we can live is ours.

It takes time and inner work to come to know and appreciate who we are. Self-awareness helps us develop trust in our selves, skills, preferences and the forces that govern our lives. Over time we learn to act despite our fears and not settle for less.

Having developed self-awareness and trust opens us up to possibilities and the sheer potentiality that surrounds us. Once we begin to see possibilities and open up to a new way of being, it’s only a matter of time before it all falls into place.

That’s when inspiration and insights begin to flow. Doors begin to open for our allies to walk through and stand by our side. Our inner guidance system becomes fully operational and we begin to see clearly as the map is being laid out. At this point, our job is to hold on to our vision and put one foot in front of the other.

Having said that, I am well aware that there are no guarantees. There are things about our lives that we can’t explain or fully comprehend. There’s always the X Factor, something that intervenes and sends us on a detour. Yet, if we listen to people who have completed their detour and come back full circle, we hear them say that it was all worth it.

Our life is the sum of our experiences and choices. No matter how we interpret our experiences, they become indispensable components of the landscape of our lives.

Have you ever wondered: “Would your life be what it is today if you hadn’t traveled the path that was laid in front of you?”

Linda:  What if you aren’t sure what “next” looks like?

Yota:  When change happens, whether it’s perceived as good or bad, expected or unexpected, wished for or unwanted, we inevitably encounter uncharted territory. There’s a gap between what changed and what is going to be that’s filled with uncertainty, doubt, lack of clarity and fear of the unknown.

Change brings along the opportunity for growth, only growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for the process of transition to come full circle. The timing and pace of it are personal and different for each one of us.

Most of us have not been taught and encouraged to be comfortable with uncertainty. Yet, this is exactly what we must do as we enter the “waiting” period. This time of “not knowing” is when so much is happening under the surface. Everything is being shaped in the dark room of creation. Our assignment is to stay put, do what we must, take good care of ourselves, honor our needs and go with the flow of our transition.

If you aren’t sure what “next” looks like, then you have to accept and honor this uncertainty, for now. Take care of your immediate needs, listen carefully to what your inner voice is saying, spend time alone and in nature, and engage in activities that nurture you and inspire you.

This can be a time of clearing out what doesn’t serve your life anymore and making room for the new. This is a good time to trust your intuition and be kind to yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, let it go. Surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through and respect your process.

Above all, understand that this stage is a valuable part of the process of transition and it will not last forever. You’re not alone. Don’t let fear decide for you.

In due time, you’ll begin to sense your energy shifting and things begin to come alive again. You’ll begin to get glimpses, insights and inspiration. It is at this point, that you can begin to shift your focus to asking “What if...” questions and, as you do your homework, you’ll become clearer on what needs to be done, you’ll begin to build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way, once again.

Come join the conversation. Share your thoughts or questions about next steps. I invite you to stop back tomorrow for Part 2 of Yota’s interview when she shares more ideas about next steps and talks about why we get stuck and have difficulty moving forward.

Tonight there was no question that my next step was to write this post. I’m long overdue and I could delay no more. That’s how it goes. Sometimes our next step is so clear that there is no debating, procrastinating, or confusion. On the other hand, sometimes that next step isn’t obvious.

Finding the next step has to do with locating where you are. The where I’m referring to is not a specific physical location but your state of mind. Once you know where you are, clarity about “next” can more easily be seen.

In my computer and work area are many small, colorful toys. In addition to this fun collection, I also have a variety of phrases on signs and notes. Recently, I realized that these words help me locate where I am and prompt me towards next. I’d like to share them with you.

6 Next Step Prompts

“Things to do”  - This small metal sign reminds me that next often involves looking at my list. Do I know what’s most important? Have my priorities shifted? Have I been realistic in what can be accomplished on that day? This sign keeps me focused, especially when I’m not sure what to do next.

“Let’s leave worry as a last resort.” – This quote written on an index card is something my Uncle Lew says. Worry is unproductive. When worry starts to creep into my thoughts, this note cues me to shift my focus to something useful.

“I write to understand as much as to be understood.” – This Elie Wiesel quote is printed on a piece of paper. It suggests that sometimes next involves pausing to write and reflect. From this understanding and discovery of where I am, the next step appears.

“There is no end to what we say is getting ready.” – This quote handwritten on a purple sticky note is something my mom said. It means that while preparation is important, we need to recognize when we’ve done enough. Let go of fear and perfection. Take that next step, even if you’re not 100% ready or sure.

“I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” – This quote by Anna Quindlen stands upright on a small card. It encourages me to appreciate now, next and everything along the way.

“Relax” – These cutout metal letters remind me that I can’t work 24/7. A balanced life means that rest, sleep and not doing are essential. That word says to me, “Linda, it’s time to unwind. It’s time to stop.”

I’d love to hear from you. Come join in the conversation. What helps you find next?