Hey Reader,
With the first full workweek of 2026 underway, you're probably thinking about everything you're raring to tackle:
- New goals
- New habits
- New systems
But I've got a different idea for you to consider...
What if the fastest way forward isn't addition, but subtraction?
This came up when I was chatting with a client this week who is starting in our Speak Like a Senior Leader™ program.
She'd just gotten feedback that she needs to "show more executive presence" if she wants to make VP. So she put together a list of to-do's:
✅ Schedule monthly coffee chats with other leaders to build relationships
✅ Start recording herself in meetings to analyze her speaking style
✅ Practice answering tough questions in front of the mirror
All good things. All things that could help.
But I stopped her and asked: "Before you do any of that, what if you focused on eliminating first?"
She looked confused. "Like what?"
"Like starting every update with 'So this might not be fully baked yet, but...' Or sending three-paragraph emails when two sentences would do. Or running your recommendations by four people before you present them to your boss."
Long pause.
"You're saying... I don't need to add executive presence. I need to remove the things that are hiding it?"
Exactly.
See, we've been conditioned to believe that growth means doing more. But the most sophisticated minds I've worked with ruthlessly subtract.
They take on fewer obligations to protect their energy.
They let go of good ideas so they can go after great ones.
They have less tolerance for people who consistently waste their time.
They delegate and hand off responsibility, without worrying they look lazy.
So before you spend the next few weeks adding to your plate, take stock of what you'll STOP doing.
Because the fastest way to where you want to go isn't giving yourself more commitments, but to remove what's been slowing you down.