Contents

Endings: The Good Cannot Begin Until the Bad Ends

Pruning: Growth Depends on Getting Rid of the Unwanted or the Superfluous

Normalizing Necessary Endings: Welcome the Seasons of Life into Your Worldview

When Stuck Is the New Normal: The Difference Between Pain with a Purpose and Pain for No Good Reason

Getting to the Pruning Moment: Realistic, Hopeless, and Motivated

Hoping Versus Wishing: The Difference Between What’s Worth Fixing and What Should End

The Wise, the Foolish, and the Evil: Identifying Which Kinds of People Deserve Your Trust

Creating Urgency: Stay Motivated and Energized for Change

Resistance: How to Tackle Internal and External Barriers

No More Mr. Bad Guy: The Magic of Self-Selection

Having the Conversation: Strategies for Ending Things Well

Embrace the Grief: The Importance of Metabolizing Necessary Endings

Sustainability: Taking Inventory of What Is Depleting Your Resources

Conclusion: It’s All About the Future

Chapter 1
The People Are the Plan