Clean out the Closets of your Life

by Patricia Fripp

Clean out the closets of your life. Have you ever
looked at the clothes in your closet with a critical eye:
the bargain shoes in the wrong color; the expensive suit
you got on sale that never fit; the "great" shirt that
was a gift from someone you love?

I had all of those items in my closet. Then a wardrobe
consultant friend came over and made me clean out the
clothes that didn't fit or that no longer represented
my self-image. It was an exhilarating feeling. Now the
clothes I wear make me feel and look great, and project
the image I like.

Your clothes closet isn't the only hiding place for
negative things in your life. You have a self-image
closet too. Take a serious look at what you find there.
Try cleaning it out. Throw out ideas that no longer
fit your lifestyle or your experiences.

Clean your closet of certain old friends as well -- the
ones who have become acquaintances. Too often we spend
our energies with people whose interests have grown
apart from ours.

Clean the negative people out of your life's closet.
Some folks cannot accept your achievements, insisting
it's only a "fluke" when you finally attain a great goal.
Their own insecurities require them to shoot other
people down. It is time to let them know you are proud of
your achievements, and then move on to someone who will
support you in your endeavors.

Closets may be hiding places for our outmoded clothes
and ideas, but they are also where we store the building
blocks for our daily lives. Don't let them get cluttered
with outdated ideas.

About the Author:
Patricia Fripp CSP,CPAE is a San Francisco-based professional
speaker on Change, Teamwork, Customer Service, Promoting
Business, and Communication Skills. She is the author of
"Get What You Want!" and Past-President of the National
Speakers Association.