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The word for today is stuff. Let me just go ahead and admit that I have too much stuff. I wouldn’t even say that I have a lot of stuff. It’s just too much to be able to focus on any of it. Last week, I sold a warmer plate for an Ember mug on eBay, and it felt great to trade something that was lying around for money, i.e. potential. That really is the upside of money; it’s stored energy. I used the net money to buy a board game called Shadows in the Forest that I plan to play with my wife and kids. Yes, I traded stuff for more stuff, but in terms of making my life better, I’ll take the board game. If you feel overwhelmed, try reducing the amount of stuff laying out. Just today, I cleaned off three items from my work desk, and all three of them had associated responsibilities that stared me in the face every minute that they sat in front of me. I admit that I advised in episode “40 - Obstacle” that you place things in your way if you want to do something about them, but I now see that it’s possible to overdo that practice. At some point, the obstacles hinder you from doing anything about them. If you feel that way, clear them all off and try to make one small move per item. For my three, I decided to keep the swimming trunks, called to schedule my car recall work, and realized that I had already deposited that check and didn’t need the paper explaining it. You can do it, too. Clear an area of stuff, and make some money on it at the same time, if possible.

Today’s concrete challenge is to move to an area that has too much stuff on or in it now. Pick up and handle each item so that you’re forced to consider whether you still need it. If it’s not essential, pitch it or sell it.

If you want to commit, say the following phrase: “I will clear out one area.”

I’ll keep the music playing while you get it done, and don’t miss the soundtrack at the end of this episode.

Before you go, repeat the following soundtrack, “I am the kind of person who reduces the nonessential.”

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

References:

What Is the Bystander Effect?

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