When the Trash Takes Itself Out: A Lesson in Alignment for Business Owners

This past year, I’ve been on a journey to realign with my values, ethics, and dreams—both in my personal life and in my business. It hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been a tough road filled with difficult realizations and even losing people along the way. But those losses taught me something invaluable.

The people I lost weren’t just casualties of my personal growth—they were the ones pulling me out of alignment to begin with. Their opinions, their values, their way of doing things had slowly taken over my own. Here’s the kicker: it wasn’t their fault. It was mine. I allowed it.

And that realization? It’s been a game-changer.

Some of these people were toxic for me. They weren’t necessarily 'bad' people; they were just doing what they needed to feel better about themselves, often at my expense. But here’s the thing about toxic people—they can only drain you as long as you react to them. The moment you stop giving them control, when you get clear on your own values and start showing loyalty to yourself, they start to fade away.

It’s like the trash takes itself out.

The Business Connection

This isn’t just a personal lesson; it’s one that’s critical for business owners. In our businesses, we let the wrong people, bad habits, and outdated strategies pull us out of alignment just as much as in our personal lives. Whether it's an employee who’s not a good cultural fit, clients who drain your energy, or even partners who don't share your vision—if you’re not careful, they can steer your business in the wrong direction.

And just like with personal toxic relationships, it’s easy to blame others, but the responsibility falls on us as business owners. It’s up to us to maintain clarity about what we value, who we are, and what our businesses stand for.

The Realignment Process

So, what does this mean for your business? It means auditing your business environment—just like you’d audit your personal relationships.

1. Start with an Alignment Audit. Take a step back and look at your business holistically. Are your team members, clients, and partners aligned with your core values? Are your business practices in sync with your long-term vision?
2. Eliminate the Energy Drainers. Whether it’s people, processes, or even clients, you need to remove what isn’t serving your mission. This doesn’t mean making rash decisions but rather being honest about what (or who) is pulling you off course.
3. Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People. Building a successful business isn’t just about systems and strategy—it’s about the people you let in. Surround yourself with team members, clients, and partners who push you to be better and align with your vision.

When you stop allowing the wrong things to dominate your time and energy, you create space for something better. Clarity returns. Progress feels less like a grind and more like momentum.

The Impact on Your Business

Here’s the truth: when you’re in alignment—when your values, goals, and business practices are all working together—you make better decisions. You’re more productive. You focus on the things that matter, and your business starts to thrive.

But when you’re out of alignment, it’s like trying to steer a ship with a broken compass. You may work harder and longer hours, but it feels like you’re going nowhere. Often, the issue isn’t your strategy or effort—it’s the people and things you’ve allowed to pull you off course.

Once you regain clarity, you’ll notice something powerful happens: the trash takes itself out. The toxic clients disappear. The negative people fade away. The bad habits you’ve been hanging onto suddenly lose their grip. And what you’re left with is a cleaner, clearer path forward.

Time to Clean House?

I’ve been there—standing in the middle of my life and business, wondering why things feel messy. Sometimes, the mess isn’t just external—it’s a reflection of what we’ve allowed internally. But the good news is, once you commit to realigning with your values and showing loyalty to yourself, things start to shift.

So, I’ll ask you the same question I asked myself a year ago: Is it time to clean house in your business?

Here are three steps to get started:

1. Audit your environment. Identify the people, systems, and habits that are no longer serving your business.
2. Remove misalignments. Whether it’s a client, a process, or a team member—eliminate what’s pulling you off track.
3. Focus on growth. Bring in the right people and practices that push you forward, and you’ll see your business transform.

When you get clear, everything else becomes clearer, too. And you may just look around one day and notice the trash has taken itself out.

What’s one thing you could clean up in your business today? Drop your thoughts below or reach out if you're ready to realign and grow.

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