A few years ago, my friend Paul was struggling significantly. His life was in turmoil: constant arguments with his girlfriend, losing his job over a minor issue, and feeling stagnant in his mid-30s. With nowhere else to turn, he found himself crashing at John’s place.

This was in late December 2016.

Around that time, Paul heard about “Dry-uary,” a practice of abstaining from alcohol in January, often adopted post-holidays. Deciding to give it a try, Paul experienced a newfound clarity within weeks. This clarity, combined with a change of scenery from the cold of Chicago to the warmth of Los Angeles, led him to a significant realization: maybe it was time to stick with the detox.

Today, Paul is in recovery.

His life since sobriety hasn’t been without challenges, but I often ponder what would have become of him without that critical period of detox and decluttering. It’s a reminder of how staying immersed in toxicity, clutter, and day-to-day distractions can prevent us from seeing the bigger picture.

This concept applies to all kinds of clutter, toxicity, and distractions. The most pervasive of these distractions is likely the device you’re using to read this message.

We’re now in 2023, and distractions, clutter, and toxicity are more prevalent than ever. And there’s no indication that this will improve soon; in fact, it will probably worsen.

That’s why I suggest starting with some immediate actions:

1. Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails today.
2. Delete all but the most essential apps on your phone today.
3. Avoid looking at your phone until at least noon every day, starting today.
4. Begin each day with Renaissance Time – a practice of listening and gaining clarity and discernment.
5. Focus on achieving just three important tasks each day.

The New Renaissance Club, which I highly recommend, embodies these principles of subtraction, detoxing, simplification, and the 80/20 rule. By joining, you’ll receive my book “Detox, Declutter & Dominate: How to Excel by Elimination,” which outlines my 7 Steps to Entrepreneurial Freedom – a far cry from the overwhelming 77 or 777 steps often touted elsewhere.

These principles are not just about personal improvement; they’re about changing the world. By “drying out” from these distractions and focusing on what truly matters, you can make a significant impact.

Seize the day,

Perry

About the Author

Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.

He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.