Being a coach, I learned through attending Coach University about letting go of the "stuff" in my life that no longer fueled it. This enhanced itself through my studies in becoming a master practitioner in the laws of attraction -- the process of how our environment, the things and people in it, affect what we attract in the present moment. Along with this came of sensing the heaviness of possessions.

My journey began eight years ago and even today I am still letting go except the items have thinned out considerably. I discovered through time that the process needed to occur in increments and in small amounts. It was as if I needed to grieve a little in between. Even though that may sound stupid, it does to me too, it's my naked truth.

It began at my medicine chest. During my first honestly aware visit it was all I could do but toss out a few expired pills. Every week thereafter over the next month all I could do was remove one item here and there. Setting a goal of one a day only worked in spurts. Eventually, the cabinet, which didn't have much in the first place, was fully functional and only what I really needed.

Then came the linen closet and afterwards my home office. I sold a majority of my books on Amazon. As my shelves became more honest, and of course lighter, my writing began to change. My productivity doubled, my focus, commitment, and clarity took leaps. This was one of my happiness times during this project. The more I let go, the more my writing improved. I also made a New Year's resolution to stop buying books for a year. For an avid reader and book junkie this was painfully hard. I'm proud to say I made it to September before I broke.

The New Year's resolution included a side point -- I had to read to let go of every book on my shelf that I hadn't already read or that didn't fit my current needs. This philosophy is still in effect. The next year I progressed and came up with the one-book in and one-book out policy. I'm not always successful, yet, I've found it a good rule of thumb, especially for the wallet. The sale profits sit in a savings account and the account only allows one withdrawal a month. This maintains orderly spending for my weakest link -- buying too many books. It worked for a few years until I developed my own discipline and discernment. Was it easy, heck no! In fact, I can remember times when my logic and desires were in the boxing ring. Does it get easier, heck yes!

During the book honesty process I had to develop a new reading-research system. This required me to read and process the information different. I started a journaling system, first manual, then computerized. It also created a very

Now my life is getting simpler and my writing is improving immensely. I no longer want very much nor dream of buying this or that. Advertising no longer pulls my strings longer than a few seconds which is a fabulous freedom.

Letting go isn't easy. There is the stage of acknowledgment. At this stage you will realize how some things hold you back. Even today, on occasion, it seems weird knowing that even stuff hidden away in a closet or storage unit can affect my present and future success. New doors opened in my writing and beliefs. You will see your gifts blossom as you move past the doubt and experience these moments.

The second stage is deciding what you are ready to let go of. This can only be done in the present moment. It requires seeing the truth of what the items are really costing you balanced with removing the doubt. Self-trust and confidence builds in big ways during this stage. The more you experience the results the more self-trust increases and doubt decreases.

The fear that you will one day need what it is you are letting go is a hard step. And self-honesty is the only solution. Easier for some things than with others. During my eight years on working through this process, only twice did I find I really missed something. And a short time later I found a replacement that either saved me time or increase productivity many times over.

The third stage is the results stage. Life will become easier, less overwhelming and stressful, and more creative. You will have more time for the things that really matter most. You will also need to learn not to settle for just any ole stuff again. Everything that enters now will have a blessed energy that fuels your life. It will fuel your life and encourage even more letting go.

Where do you want to start today? The medicine cabinet, a drawer, or your desk. Be honest with it. What can you let go today to gain more energy tomorrow?

Copyright © 2005 Catherine Franz

About Catherine: Catherine Franz, writer, speaker, marketing master, specializes in infoproduct development. More at: http://www.MarketingStrategiesToGo.com and http://www.AbundanceCenter.com. Including articles and ezines.