There is more to eliminate than just physical clutter when it comes to living with less and living a happy, meaningful life.

Think about the negative thoughts that run through your brain on a daily basis. Now think about the thoughts that come up when you are focused on yourself and your life and your work. When it comes to self talk, there is no shortage of what ifs, questions and harsh words.

The root of those what ifs is doubt and doubt is at the top of the list in terms of mental clutter. This mini-mission will help.

Getting rid of doubt may start to make letting go of your hard to release clutter seem like a piece of cake. It won’t be easy, but it is possible to banish doubt in your life and in your brain.

Banish doubt by:

Asking Questions. When the doubt pops up, instead of going down the doom and gloom rabbit hole, ask yourself what the doubt is about. Are you thinking about past failures or behaviors? Does the lack of confidence from friends and family have you down? Why don’t you think you are good enough? Big important questions. Ask them.

Write it out. When my brain starts spinning with all the reasons I shouldn’t do or try something, I get my thoughts on paper. Ink on paper is more rational than a busy brain. Read your writing out loud and see if your doubt is reasonable or completely exaggerated.

Do it anyway. Just like fear, the level of doubt is rarely proportionate to reality.  It’s never as hopeless or as ugly as you think. Get started.

Help someone. Thinking about someone else is the quickest way to stop dwelling on how unworthy you are and how impossible everything is.

Say thank you. When the doubt comes from someone besides you, simply say, “thank you for caring”. If there is helpful advice in the doubtful warning, use it and let the rest go. People will think you are crazy and weird. They will doubt your intentions and ideas. Keep going. You are wonderful and the world deserves your crazy ideas.

Doubt is the easiest way to dismiss a great idea. It will silence dreams and force complacency. It may not be cluttering up your closets, but doubt is serious clutter. It holds you back from your real potential, and from fully participating in the life you’ve been dreaming about.

If you can’t banish doubt, replace it with …

• hope
• action
• connection
• laughter

When you make that subtle shift, doubt fades. Doubt simply can’t live in hope and action.

So what have you been doubting? What dreams have you silenced? Go on. You got this!