If you're familiar with minimalism, you'll have heard of the idea that every object in your home consumes your energy and focus. That's why I mostly can't do ornaments or knick knacks - I'm not a fan of dusting.

As a keen advocate of maintaining both energy and focus - understanding that losing focus drains my energy, I'm currently on a mission to apply minimalist concepts to my home whilst retaining cosiness. It's an ongoing endeavour but I'm enjoying the feeling of binning all the stuff I don't need.

And it's helping my finances too, when I ignore the pull to buy a new plant (that's a whole new BABY to look after) or get another wool jumper I don't need (handwashing? No thanks.)

As with any good life lesson, we can also apply this approach to our working lives.

Most of the people I work with are very busy 'sandwich generation' people. They're the meat between youngish children and aging parent bread. And as we can't truly separate work life from life life, their energy and focus suffer greatly - often just at the time when they've hit a very full-on leadership position.

If this is you, then minimalist thought processes might be the ticket.

Consider this:

🟠 What do you need to let go of to free up your wonderful brain to meet its potential?

🟠 What is cluttering your professional life - do you really need to take on a new course of study? Are all the meetings you have in the diary really necessary?

🟠 Do you still need to be involved in the details you're up to your armpits in?

Our working lives are often cluttered because we don't take the time to step back and work out what needs adjustment as we move through our career. Just because you've always done something, doesn't mean you need to continue on that road. Time taken to reflect on a regular basis is energy and head space saved in the long run.

There's a reason that wellbeing is one of the Core Career Dials. Without it, your energy and focus are too thinly stretched, which not only directly impacts how you feel physically but can also lead to a lack of confidence and general feeling of 'not-enoughness'.

Try minimalising (not a word!) your life for a couple of weeks and see how it sets your mind free...

See you soon,

Sarah

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I'm working with corporate clients on talent development and retention in 2026. If you're in a role where you support the development of others, you’re always welcome to reach out for a conversation - be that for group coaching on the Core Career Dials, training your managers on how to have excellent career development conversations, or something more bespoke.

See more at www.sarahrourke.com