Tolerations are things that distract you, drain your energy and can be eliminated. They are small things: a running toilet; a messy and unorganized garage; an overdue dentist appointment; or a secretary who is always late from lunch. And larger things: your 60 minute one-way commute to work; clients who are slow to pay their bills; a job you dislike; or the living room furniture that you have never cared for.
When you reduce tolerations, you free up time and energy to do other things that are more important to you. Most people are unaware of what they are putting up with on a daily basis until they begin to list their tolerations.
Take 10 minutes now to eliminate daily energy drainers.
1. In the categories of Home, Family/Friends and Work Life, make a list of 5 things you are tolerating, whether or not you see a solution.
HOME (e.g. geographic location, mortgage payment, maintenance issues)
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5.
FAMILY/FRIENDS (e.g. neighbor's yard, best friend's tardiness, unorganized spouse)
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5.
WORK LIFE (e.g. secretary's attitude, work hours, endless meetings)
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5.
2. Select one of the 15 and eliminate it 110% today. This means eliminating both the toleration and its source, so it does not become a distraction again. For example, if you can't stand the toothpaste tube being squeezed from the middle, only buy toothpaste that is dispensed from a pump, or buy the offending person their own tube.
3. Add to these lists and create lists for other areas of your life (such as health/appearance and finances).
4. Continue to select and eliminate tolerations.
5. Notice how your energy increases!
