Editing.

I love movies.

I always have. They have entertained me and comforted me my whole life. But I’ve also learned quite a lot from them as well.

Of course I’ve learned a lot from the stories, settings, and characters. But I’ve also learned a lot simply by seeing how they’re made and what is celebrated.

One thing I think is fascinating is that the biggest predictor of which movie will win best picture at the Academy Awards isn’t best writing, directing, or acting.

It is editing.

Almost all of them had one thing in common.

Someone knew what to cut out.

Have you ever seen….

All of these iconic movies won best editing AND best picture. In fact, about 40 movies that have won best picture also won best editing. But over 90%! of the movies winning best picture have been at least nominated for best editing.

Ok, enough nerding out. (But seriously, isn’t that super interesting?!)

It’s easy to think the best things come from adding more. Heck, we’re conditioned by that notion since birth. Every single commercial or advertisement depends on us believing that…but I digress.

More ideas.

More stuff.

More everything.

But more is not what makes something great. It’s the editing. Its what gets left out or pulled out.

Life works the same way. We’re all used to adding more goals, more commitments, more things. More more more.

And it feels like progress, but it always takes something.

Your time.

Your energy.

Your money.

And not everything brings you the value you expect. In fact most things don’t.

So after a while, it starts to feel heavy. And that is how you know it’s time to start editing.

It’s always good to stop once in a while and ask what you can cut.

Where can you free up space? Where can you free up time?

Why not try today?

Pick something…

Your calendar? Your phone? Your closet?

And make one small cut.

Cancel something. Delete something. Donate something.

That’s it.

No need for a full reset, just a little step forward. And you’ll be amazed how good it feels.

Remember, the best movies don’t win only because of what they include, but because of what they cut.

Same goes for your life.

If you’d like help editing yours, hit reply and lets start a conversation.

See you at the movies.

Yours in Simplicity,

Jimmy