It can be complicated being simple.

We bought this house 16 years ago. My little girl had her 3 year old “animal-themed” birthday party right after we moved, and it rained so hard I expected Llamas to start trekking inside two by two. My son was just 4. His dark green room, overlooking the pine filled backyard, made the whole room seem like a treehouse.

Many birthdays were celebrated there. My mother’s last Thanksgiving was there. There were a bunch of Christmases, all the New Year’s Eve’s anyone could remain awake for, one wedding, and one cat funeral. (Prior to his departure, he prompted dozens of squirrel funerals, but we weren’t invited.)

And now, with children out of the house, and a few thousand feet more than my wife, myself, and a 24 pound dog can cozily occupy… we’re selling it.

Did Adams tell the new owners about the ghosts? Didn’t he just put a kitchen in it 2 years ago that he could’ve turned into a Ferrari if he’d only manned up to his wife? Find the thrilling answers here.

A house may be only a thing; something static that confines and protects what’s inside them. Yet in time, it becomes a living thing, a member of the family, witness and participant to the lives passing through. It was to ours, and many before.

Now, a couple with children exactly the age ours were when we moved, has been giddily making their plans for their life here. The cycle repeats.

Why Are We Selling?

Simply to simplify. Two houses, six commercial buildings, lots of things with engines, plus other decently consuming hobbies that conspire to distract from more meaningful pursuits. Sometimes you own stuff; sometimes it owns you. God has been whispering lately, and I sense he may not use his “inside voice” much longer.

So yes, we’re liquidating things. Going to downsize myself. (Not literally, as that might send me shopping for shoes in the boys department). Going to travel more. Pay off everything. Go off the grid. Elevate conscious thought to loftier viewpoint, hoping my subconscious will follow. (Though brain research says that’s exactly opposite; that subconscious started this whole thing in the first place.)

Coolest thing about this whole pursuit?

A Focus on What Matters

Since we must reduce our “stuff”, we’re finding that 16 dining room chairs might be a couple too many. Same with 4 sets of China. (Does this stuff multiply in the attic?)  And same with a gazillion other entirely unnecessary items that I’ll not shed a tear to shed. (None of this involves tools. It has been proven that no man ever has enough tools. Look it up. Everybody knows that.)

Many boxes of things have been given away. Some sent to family, some to friends, some to ‘half friends’ not expecting it, some to seriously-deserving service organizations. And there is much more to come, not all altruistic. Lots of furniture that has been accumulated will have to find a new home.

Just deciding “What do we really not need? Or what items give us pleasure to have, use, look at?” These are tugging questions. And so far, it’s been pretty darn liberating.

Speaking of which…

Work continues to provide immense pleasure and entertainment. Yet, we have goals so high that it will take some variations of leadership to get us there. (I wrote about our Profit Sharing restructure earlier; this is changing focus, realigning career paths.) My personal career path will shift more toward what I can do well, and what’s better left to people actually so equipped.

Admission Time: As a long-time entrepreneur (code for: “Not hirable under most circumstances”) I clearly see how my dogged commands and domineering nature are likely hindrances to the cause. So be it. Though I am right 146% of the time (!) there will have to be a “Clearance Sale” on my fallibility.

Fortunately, I have a staff of significant intelligence, new hires promising more, and plans for improvement in any areas of weakness. Staff, too, has had FAR more autonomy and authority in the roles that used to wear out my scepter.

What does all this mean to you?

Input Required!

Coaching members, PowerSuite members, CRC members and even you lowly non-members (that was a joke, you lowly non-member!) will be asked for feedback more regularly. Our “Report Cards” are keenly important to us, as they become our path directors.

You’ve already seen this in the way our Group Coaching Calls are structured. I answer WAY more questions personally than I used to. This is directly due to your requests, which is cool because it helps train staff on “our” methodology and singularity of course.

In fact, I will ask for more of your input starting now. Just give us feedback on any or all of the below.

1. What is something you WISH we offered that we do not?
2. What improvements to ANY product, service, or program would you like to see us make?
3. If you had a magic marketing wand, what would it be able to do for your company?
4. Do you have any input for a soon-to-be “relocated” empty nester and his long-suffering wife on how to make these years even more fun? (Keep your suggestions to a “PG-13” nature and below please.)

Just hit this link to reply.

And with all, less stress and a clearer outlook are great bonuses.

---