Declutter Your Career: Five Steps to Make Space for What Matters

In my last post, I talked about the importance of focus in one’s career. Today, I want to share how one might actually accomplish this.

I liken my recommended approach to the KonMari method of decluttering, made famous by Marie Kondo. She helps people clear their physical spaces. I’ve adapted her five-step process to help us clear our professional spaces so we can create the career and personal life we truly want.

Step 1: Envision your ideal job
Before we start cutting or reorganizing, picture your ideal work environment, your new colleagues, leadership, team, and focus areas, whether clinical, research, educational or administrative. Imagine the balance you want between your work and your personal life. That vision then becomes your compass.

Step 2: Commit fully to YOUR mission
Write down everything you do, whether it be clinical, research, teaching, administrative, at the local, regional, national, and international level. Then, note how much time each one takes. Seeing it all laid out is both eye-opening and empowering.

Step 3: Let go of what doesn’t fit
Before saying yes to anything new, relinquish or step down from what doesn’t align with your mission, expertise, or professional growth goals. It’s hard, but this is the crucial step for creating lasting change.

Step 4: Organize by category, not by institution or organization
Instead of grouping by where you serve (local, regional, national), group by what you do: committee member, committee chair, editorial board, leadership role, etc. Consider this a subtle shift that will make your priorities clearer.

Step 5: Start small, then go big
Begin with easy changes, then work your way toward the more time-consuming commitments that don’t serve your mission. Momentum is your friend here.

And remember, always keep your division chief, chair, or institutional leadership in the loop. Alignment matters.

I leave you with this: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."