This is a time of profound change.

We are stepping out into a different world and way of life, some of it unknown yet.

I want us all to think about our next steps carefully.

With change, there is opportunity. But, to grow and take advantage of new opportunities in our business and life it’s important to first recognize where we are.

Look closely at your business. Look closely at your life.

What is taking energy, time, or resources and hasn’t yielded a good return? Might it be time to make some changes to prepare for new growth? It may be painful to think about, but this is not a time to hang on to something because it’s comfortable. Especially if its season has passed.

It’s this type of change I want to address in this post. The changes that we must initiate for the purpose of opening up new growth opportunities.

The change we must initiate

Just as seasons change, products, projects, and relationships have lifecycles as well.

If you’re hanging on to a project, process, or product because you think more time or more resources will make it different — reassess. Sometimes pouring more into it will only drain you and your organization, if it hasn’t already. It could be a drain on energy, resources, or people.

To prune is to cut away something, to open up space for what will be part of your new beginning. It allows for creativity and innovation. Sometimes it’s things we treasure most that we need to cut away. It might be a favorite project or product that is no longer producing.

If you cling to things that beg for change in your organization or in your life you will have a difficult time leading other people through change.

When pruning a tree, for example, you remove unnecessary branches to lessen the weight on a larger tree limb. It helps to strengthen the tree over time. You may need to cut back what seems like a healthy, growing part of the tree to make room for new, better growth. This is the same in your organization and your life. There may be something that looks ‘healthy’ but for the best new growth or to prepare for a new opportunity, you must remove it or cut it back.

On a personal level, are there attitudes, behaviors, or habits that haven’t served you well? Might it be time to let them go and adopt new ways of thinking and engaging with life?

Look for the changes that need to come. Be honest with yourself. We all need to prune at some point in our lives, it’s a part of growth and allows for new opportunities.

I still ask myself; what do I need to prune to allow for new growth in my own life and business? I don’t yet have a full answer, but I suspect in time I’ll know exactly what needs to be pruned.

A time for growth and opportunity

I remember a client that had too many projects on her plate. She was a leader in a large organization taking on one extra project at a time until it was clear she couldn’t focus well on any of them. She finally decided to let go of being the lead for a critical regional project.

At first, she stepped up to lead the project for a short time to bridge the gap between when someone left the organization and a new person was hired. When she finally recognized that she had become the long-term solution, she made the decision to let it go and find a replacement. The project continued but with a new project lead who had the talent and enthusiasm to lead.

She now has more margin in her life to pursue the opportunities that allow her to work in her strengths.

Another client, after much thought and consideration, decided to leave a role he held for almost 20 years. He looked at his long-term goals and vision for his work and life and decided to make a change. He moved from one country to another to pursue an opportunity that aligned with his personal vision.

For both clients, the pruning decision was difficult, but it needed to be made. What gave them the courage was knowing why it was important to change. It was to align their vision, values, and goals with their current situation. They were business decisions that affected them personally.

It could be a product that needs to be cut out of the mix. I once worked for a CEO of a large company. He always said if we couldn’t be number one or two in the markets we serve, we wouldn’t be in the market with the product or service. In essence, we would prune whatever was getting in the way of that vision. It gave every employee clarity in what was important, and it was a plumb line to measure against.

Taking it forward

Often, we think about pruning and the pain that goes with it. What we may not immediately recognize is that we prune so we can grow and lead from our strength or live in alignment with our purpose and vision. It benefits those around us just as much as ourselves.

Some fear or avoid pruning because of the unknowns that come with change.

Some find it energizes.

We always have to make choices in business and in life. Some are harder than others, especially when we have to make a decision to walk away from something.

To prune is to make room for the new thing, the new beginning.

This is a call to courage to make the tough decision.

What do you need to prune in your business or in life?

What will you do with it? How will you hold yourself accountable?