{"id":37777,"date":"2015-12-30T00:21:44","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T08:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=37777"},"modified":"2015-12-30T00:21:44","modified_gmt":"2015-12-30T08:21:44","slug":"3-signs-youre-hanging-onto-something-toxic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/3-signs-youre-hanging-onto-something-toxic\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Signs That You\u2019re Hanging Onto Something Toxic"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

When is it time to let go? Or more specifically, how do we know when to stop doing things that don\u2019t contribute to our long-term plans?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I used to have a hard time realizing what had worth, and what was thoroughly worthless.<\/p>\n

Whether it was an activity, a class, a person, etc., I just couldn\u2019t let it go. I had a problem with being loyal. Not that I was disloyal, but rather too <\/em>loyal. I used to feel guilty when dropping things after I\u2019d start them, and for a long time I would suffer through them just to avoid the guilt of being a \u201cquitter.\u201d My internal judge serves up a gnarly guilt sandwich. Maybe yours does too?<\/p>\n

For example, I used to play in a slow-pitch softball league. It was just once a week and I liked it at first, but after a while it started to feel like an unnecessary burden. And worse still, it consumed one of my nights and did not contribute to a single one of my goals. Even though I knew this, I kept signing up season after season. I didn\u2019t want to let the guys on my team down.<\/p>\n

But, I\u2019ve come to realize something\u2014there is a time to say \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n

Think of the time you are throwing away engaging in things that you don\u2019t really want. Instead, think what you could be doing that moves you closer to your objectives.<\/p>\n

Here are three clues that you might be holding onto something toxic that\u2019s pulling you in the wrong direction and keeping you from your goals.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Always On Your Mind<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Do you constantly monitor the day in which you have deal with it<\/em>? Like an alarm clock in your mind constantly reminding you that this thing <\/em>is fast approaching. Is it always on your mind, but in a bad way?<\/p>\n

    And apart from keeping tabs on it, do you also feel relieved knowing that right after you deal with it, you get a break until the next time<\/em> you have to deal with it?<\/p>\n

    If so, it\u2019s time to take a closer look.<\/p>\n

    **Don\u2019t mistake this for a passion that you thoroughly enjoy. That\u2019s okay. You want to focus on things that will take you in the direction that you want to go<\/em>**<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Left With Less<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      No, I\u2019m not talking about your last trip to Las Vegas. I mean, when you leave this thing<\/em>, do you feel worse than before you got there? Actually, that sounds a lot like Vegas, doesn\u2019t it? Get that out of your mind already<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

      Here\u2019s what I\u2019m getting at. Do you feel less confident? Does it suck the positivity out of you? In general, does it rob from your motivational bank account?<\/p>\n

      Those are serious symptoms that are trying to tell you something. Listen.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        No Clear Purpose<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Do you even remember the reason for doing it<\/em>? Is there a clear goal you are trying to achieve by partaking in it?<\/p>\n

        For personal growth, there will be challenging endeavors which are intended to make you stronger. After all, when you first start something new it can be frustrating. I mean, who wants to suck at something? Nobody. But in these cases, it\u2019s important to know why<\/strong> you are challenging yourself and to have clear intentions for what you hope to accomplish.<\/p>\n

        For example, maybe you have a problem speaking in front of groups. What you can do is find a Toastmasters club and join it. It\u2019s not easy and it can be frustrating at times, but have a reason for doing it and you\u2019ll be fine. The reason might be to communicate clearly or become better at selling your ideas. Once you reach competency, you can move on.<\/p>\n

        Using the same example above, there\u2019s a good chance that you\u2019d dread going if you didn\u2019t have a clear objective for doing so. It would seem like needless suffering (If you\u2019ve spoke in front of an audience before, you know what I mean).<\/p>\n

        So, set a clear purpose in all things that you do.<\/p>\n

        Understand that just one of these symptoms is enough to put an axe to it. A perfect three-for-three, though, is grounds for ending it with a vengeance.<\/p>\n

        You\u2019ll know when you\u2019ve made the right choice because of how you\u2019ll feel after saying goodbye. It will feel like someone yanked a ten-ton-truck off your shoulders and then served you a chocolate sundae. Yummy.<\/p>\n

        Start your detox. Do what\u2019s best for you and your vision; throw out the rest that’s holding you back.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        ——————<\/p>\n

        Matt Kramer had an extreme\u00a0fear of public speaking that\u00a0nearly crippled his hope, but overcoming it has changed his life. His\u00a0passion is simple: To help others crush\u00a0the\u00a0fear of public speaking so they can use the confidence to capture their dreams. Visit\u00a0Matt’s blog<\/a>\u00a0to get tips on how to overcome the fear of public speaking.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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