Yesterday I walked into Exclusive’s and a book title immediately grabbed me - Necessary Endings by Dr Henry Cloud.
I am not sure why it did but as I picked it up and went through a few pages I begun to think about the questions this book may open up around what I am committed to right now. We naturally strive to take what we do to new levels, new phases or new seasons. We as human beings are excellent at jotting down a new idea, a new vision or screening pictures of ideals that we wish to achieve.
Newness is attractive.
But do we ever think of what of the ‘old’ must end?
Henry’s opening line is (I reckon authors must pour so much time into that opening line!)
‘Today might be the enemy of your tomorrow’
What you are doing today and how you are doing it may be robbing you of the tomorrow you desire.
Some things may need to end.
He goes onto say that endings are a natural part of the universe and challenges us to look at how we see the endings which we need to face up to. Life has seasons, phases and stages. Why then do we like everything to look and feel the same all the time in our businesses?
Growth can very often mean that we have to move on from something.
What really makes sense to me is that we may have had to do what we have needed to do to get us to this point but the success of that action does not mean the action should live into the future.
It may be time to kill it.
Given I am only on chapter 1 perhaps this blog can offer no finality on how you go about figuring out what must end and how to end it.
But perhaps, like me, you can begin to have a look at what is taking up your time right now and ask yourself the question:
If this were to end what could it potentially mean personally and professionally?
Your answer for each area / action / relationship / strategy / project may just open up a window to dealing with what needs to be dealt with in order to take yourself to the next level.
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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com