A Chinese proverb says “A full teacup can hold no more tea.”
Sounds obvious, right? And yet many times people overlook this truth, keep the cup full of old tea, and thus deprive themselves of fresh, new tea.
A drawer full of outdated files can hold no new files. A computer folder full of projects that got postponed or canceled can hold no new, active projects. A To Do List full of tasks that never seem to get done can hold no new high-leverage opportunities.
Though not recommended, more file cabinets can be purchased and computer folders created. But clutter in the mind leaves no room for new and exciting thoughts to develop. A mind filled with thoughts, worries, and concerns can hold no new inspiration.
There are dozens of applications for this proverb – at work, at home, with family, in the personal life – pretty much everywhere.
Look around. Do you see any full teacups? If so, it would be wise to empty them a little … and then enjoy the new tea.
The above is used by permission from the book Three Years Of Tuesday Mornings: 156 e-mails about business and life by Steve Fales.
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