Many things have expiry dates. We obviously know not to eat food after its use by date, however, there are many things we may have or do in our lives that have possibly gone well beyond their expiry date. So, this week, I want to encourage you, if anything has gone beyond its expiry date or past it’s used by date, to take it ‘behind the barn’.
I don’t watch a lot of television, but one show I really enjoy is Shark Tank. On the American version, one of the sharks is a man by the name of Kevin O’Leary, a.k.a Mr. Wonderful. He’s very direct, doesn’t mince his words, and at times can come across as insensitive, but I love his honest approach. He has a saying that he uses in most episodes directed at one or more of the entrepreneurs seeking investment. If he believes that the product or service being presented won’t succeed, he suggests to the person that they ‘take it behind the barn and shoot it’.
Yes, that is pretty tough, and insensitive. However, in some cases it’s exactly what needs to happen. For all of us. I have a client, who is also a friend, and we were talking the other day about aspects of her business. There’s one part of her business that, for a long time, she has put time and energy into which hasn’t translated into tangible results. So, in my wisdom, and I use that term loosely, I told her about Mr. Wonderful’s suggestion. I said to her, in a caring and sharing kind of way, maybe it’s time to take it ‘behind the barn’. She seemed to respond positively to the suggestion. By positively I mean she didn’t hang up on me! I honestly believed there were better things, more aligned to her mission, she could be spending time on.
As I reflected on that conversation throughout the day, it occurred to me that possibly this client may not have taken my suggestion in the spirit that I had intended it. In fact, it may have come across as offensive and insulting. So, I called her. I explained my regret and apologised if I had been insensitive in any way. She told me not to worry. In fact, she had had some serious thoughts about this part of her business, and while she wasn’t ready to take it ‘behind the barn’, she did agree she needed to change the way she was doing things. Phew!
After I hung up with her, I smiled, and then I immediately felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of my gut. Why? Because I started thinking about the things in my life that I needed to take ‘behind the barn’. As life happens, mine has become incredibly full of a lot of things. Not all of them are moving me towards the vision of the life I want to live. In fact, they are just taking time and energy and are a distraction to things I could be doing to move me towards creating my dream life.
Tragically, the first thing that came to me was this blog. You may not know it, but I have been writing a blog every week for over 20 years. I never miss a week. That’s over 1000 blogs. I’ve really enjoyed writing these, and in my heart I hope they’re making a difference. However, I really don’t know. And if I’m being honest, the time I spend coming up with an idea, writing it, editing it, uploading it, and posting it, I could use to do things that are more meaningful and purposeful. So, with a heavy heart, I want to let you know that I’m taking this blog ‘behind the barn’. This will be my last blog.
Enough about me. The reality is that the only reason you and I may not be living our dream life is because of the things we need to take ‘behind the barn’ and shoot! As you’re reading this final blog, is anything coming into your heart and mind, you know you should take ‘behind the barn’? Is it limiting beliefs and negative self-talk? Is it something you’re doing that you really don’t know why you’re doing anymore? Is it a job that’s stealing your joy? Is it something you are using as a distraction to what you know you should be doing? Is it a relationship that has gone beyond its use by date? You know what it is? Don’t you?
Let me tell you that it’s a liberating feeling when you make a decision to let something go. Because it creates space for something new, exciting, and purposeful. So, if you are ready for this courageous step, then here is what you can do. Firstly, get very clear on the life you want to live. Secondly, assess all the things in your life to decide if they are or are not contributing to the fulfilment of that life. Thirdly, anything that is not, one at a time, take it ‘behind the barn’ and shoot it. Finally, use that newly available time to do the things that will help you live your best life.
I just want to finish this blog by saying thank you. I am grateful that you read this, and I am grateful if you have commented on how it has helped you. I will never stop sharing my thoughts, stories, and messages with a deep desire to help people live their best life. However, for now, I am taking this blog ‘behind the barn’. Thanks. Love you.