Lately, I’ve been posting about how to edit your writing. But I’ve been thinking a lot about taking that talent I have of weeding out unnecessary things in a paper, post, or book, the things that don’t provide focus and drive the material to its goal, and transferring it to my life.

Last week Wendi alluded to the idea of editing our lives, specifically the time we spend frantically flirting with technology and non-urgent matters. My friend and I, both editors, have been talking about that very thing. She said that artists have to pay as much attention to that which they leave out as that which they include in their paintings. And if our lives are to be works of art, and “conscious creations,” shouldn’t we apply that principle as well? Shouldn’t we be more discerning about what we choose to include and disallow?

To what end, you ask? Well, if you’re anything like me, you’re having a hard time getting where you want to go. You have your goals in mind, what you want, where you want to be, what your dream job is, but you’re unproductive, distracted, and ultimately frustrated.

The idea of editing our lives is to carefully choose what to include and what to trash in order to focus. Just as you would edit out anything that doesn’t directly pertain to your book or post or article, and just as you would consciously choose what to include in your work to make sure it’s on the right track and not off on tangents, you can apply these very same tactics to your own life.

My friend and I first asked each other what we already choose not to include in our lives, and came up with things like smoking and drugs, TV subscription, spa treatments, regular hair appointments, meat, Twitter, physical enhancement, cell phones, etc. Without these things and things like them, our lives are made simpler, just that tiny bit more focused.

It also occurred to me that most of what I have or have been doing has been a quick fix. I’ve had thirteen jobs in Belleville since 2001, and only three of them have been related to books. The others weren’t even close by any stretch of the imagination to what I want to do, to what I’m passionate about. Why is this?

Taking that further, I wondered how I could purge my life of everything that doesn’t bring me closer to my goal of being the kind of person I want to be, the kind of life I want to experience, and also opening up Biblio, the bookshop tearoom I’ve been dreaming about and creating in my head for three years.

First to address is people. As callous as this sounds, there are people in my life who either hinder me or offer nothing beneficial. They are the negative Nancys, or those who feel like a heavy boulder tethered to my foot. It’s best to gently or firmly let those people go. Surround yourself only by those who either help you (in any way) or need your help and, in so being, bring out the best in you.

Then there is anything I spend tons of time on but that distracts me from my focus of self-improvement and Biblio. That is too much time on Stumble, answering emails that aren’t urgent, Facebook, and the like. Anything that wastes time or doesn’t move me forward in the direction I want to go. That also happens to include one of my jobs, and that’s going to be a challenge to discard, especially when I need it for financial reasons. But ultimately it has to go. I have to make those kinds of decisions sometimes. As long as I know that, and keep my goals in mind, I’m on the right track.

Then there’s going through my internal self. What emotions and negative thoughts am I holding on to that are keeping me from being my happiest? What should I be thinking, how should I be thinking to get me on the straight and narrow that has my dreams at the end?

You’re getting the idea of this editing process, I’m sure. But one important thing: I’m not talking about editing out stuff you don’t necessarily need but want, or bringing in only what you need. This isn’t about being stripped of everything completely, about being purist. You don’t have to get rid of your favorite shoes and handbags just because you don’t need them. Technically, you don’t. But for me, for example, my handbags make me feel…well-off, abundance, even happy. This is about being focused and happy, so that you’re in the right frame of existence to create more of what you want. So include both what you want and need but do try to make what you want focused, too.

Here’s a good way to start. For me, I’ve decided that the emotional part is the hardest. I’ve been avoiding it forever, as much as I have acknowledged it and am aware of and comprehend what’s going on. Right now I just become frustrated and tempted to quit when I try to change my thinking.

But I’m not someone who just sits around. So I’m starting with my house to get me in the editing mood. I am going room by room, editing out anything that isn’t used or doesn’t directly contribute to the house’s function or need or aesthetic. When I bring anything in, I’m not going for quick fixes anymore and buying stuff that isn’t perfect just because I don’t have enough money on hand to buy exactly what I want. I’m saving. I’m purchasing or allowing only that which is quality and reflects the lifestyle and decorative style I’m aiming for. And I’m purging to make room for new, even if it means being without for a while. This takes bravery, because I can’t be afraid of lack.

Do you see where this is going? This is my new project. Spring cleaning you can call it. Make it yours, too. Cut out the excessive time spent emailing and texting and doing anything that isn’t propelling you forward in your chosen direction. Cut out stuff and people to that end. Purge tangents. Then allow in only that which aids you in your quests.

Only you hold the reigns, or the red pen. Write a list of what you want, your goals, who and where you want to be. Make that list the title of your life. Delete anything that doesn’t directly relate to that title, that doesn’t forward the points. And allow into your life only what helps you, drives you toward success.

Be in charge. Be in control. Be fearless. Be ready.

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