How Having a Minimalist Mindset Can Benefit Your Career (And Life!)
I am sure you’ve heard the term “minimalism” being thrown around these days, but very rarely has anyone spoken about minimalism and how it can support you in thriving in your career (and life!).
The majority of people think that minimalism only refers to the physical space around you. In that sense, sure, minimalism can be all about owning less than 100 things, having a capsule wardrobe of 20-or-less items, and giving away anything that doesn’t spark joy.
And, okay, studies have shown that decluttering helps with productivity and happiness.
However, Marie Kondo’ing it up won’t make or break your career.
A minimalist mindset is totally different.
A minimalist mindset is all about three things: simplicity, clarity, singleness.
That means that you can live intentionally, know what you should pursue, and have the capacity to let everything else go.
MINIMALISM AND LEVELING UP YOUR CAREER
The #1 thing that holds so many professionals back from changing career paths or scaling their business is $$$ MONEY $$$.
And I hear you - it can be intimidating to figure out how to still make a living while totally shifting your career!
However, one thing that differentiates a successful transition from one career path to the next is setting up your INTENTIONS.
This is where the concept of minimalism comes into play. You should be intentional with everything in your life – especially your money, time, and energy!
You spend a lot of time and energy working to earn money. So, if you want to grow your business or career, it can be hard to know what to invest your hard-earned money on.
While investing in yourself looks different for everyone, it’s important to focus on things that will INTENTIONALLY make your life better. That means taking time to reflect instead of just randomly purchasing "things" that are not aligned with your personal and professional goals.
If you want to make a career change or scale your business, it is TIME you get REAL REAL with all of your $$$$ and your goals.
Pro tip: Practicing minimalism is not just good for your bank account, it is also good for the environment! That’s because being intentional with everything you need means that you’re less likely to buy items that will only end up in a landfill unused.
MAINTAINING YOUR INTENTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR HAPPINESS
One point that I will talk about over and over again is having clarity and being clear about your goals. Maintaining your intentions and staying true to yourself is one way to protect your happiness and keep your career on track.
Here’s how a minimalist mindset can improve your happiness and career:
Having a minimalist mindset prevents golden handcuffs from forming. You’ll be able to see situations for what they are and stay true to the intentions for your career that are at the heart of all your goals.
Becoming more of a minimalist will help your finances (therefore, preventing you from golden handcuffs!). When you start to think about your purchases and investments more consistently, you’ll be able to quickly determine what is and isn’t worth your hard-working $$$. Ultimately, this will keep you from getting stuck in financial situations you can't get out of.
You can focus on what’s most important. When you get rid of all the mental clutter in your life and career, you’ll be able to focus on what needs to happen to level up your career. That way, you can start saying no more and take on a little as possible while still making progress.
A minimalist mindset will keep you from overcommitting yourself. One of my favorite sayings is “under commit and over deliver.” That means that you should only commit to things that are worth your energy. In the end, that will help you “over deliver” fantastic services or products – all because you have the bandwidth to support a high quality of work!
Want to learn more about how you can build your dream career and cut down on all the mental clutter? Join Career By Design to gain expert guidance and a network of professionals that will help you thrive.
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