I’m not much of a gardener, but I do love roses. One thing I learned about roses is that you have to prune them back in order for them to grow to their full potential. Cutting them actually makes them grow more. Seems a little paradoxical. I realized it’s the same with life.

Many things in our lives compete for our attention: kids, chores, work, e-mail, friends. Too many demands on our time divides our strength and our focus. I believe it’s important to prune things in our lives. It’s not easy, because we might look at our lives and realize there is nothing “bad” or invaluable taking up our time. However, there may still be something keeping your from your goals. Time spent in areas other than on your goals comes at a high opportunity cost. I’m reminded of Jim Collins’ phrase, “Good is the enemy of great.” All those good things in our lives are keeping us from the great things.

Now I’m not saying get rid of the kids or your spouse…but maybe there are other things that aren’t quite as important. Maybe it’s time to find your pruning sheers and cut back some of the activities so you can really grow.

Jana Axline is president and leadership coach at Axline Solutions and author of Becoming You. Through her leadership musings she inspires audiences to grow as leaders and ultimately achieve who they were created to be. For more information visit Axline Solutions.