Let’s be real:  When life gets unpredictable, most of us grab onto whatever feels safe or familiar. We lean on our preferences—those little comforts we think will protect us from uncertainty. But here’s the truth: preferences don’t get you across the finish line. Principles do.

You’ve seen it before—maybe at the airport or a roadside rest stop. A family of four struggling with mountains of luggage. Parents frantically corralling their kids while dragging strollers, suitcases, car seats, and half the nursery along for the trip. You look at them and think, There’s no way they’re making it through this trip without losing something—or their sanity.

The funny thing is, most of us pack our lives the same way. We haul around emotional baggage, distractions, and shiny objects that make us feel prepared but only slow us down. We tell ourselves it’s necessary—it’s our safety net. But in reality, all that extra weight? It’s what’s holding us back.

Here’s the thing: preferences tell us to bring it all, to cling to what’s comfortable, to stick to what’s easy. But principles? They challenge us to pack light. They force us to focus on what’s essential, what’s actually going to help us move forward. Principles demand that we step out of our comfort zones and into the challenge zone.

And that’s where the magic happens. It’s in the challenge zone—where you let go of what feels safe, stop distracting yourself, and face what matters head-on. That’s where you find the grit to move forward. That’s where you separate the Doers from the dreamers.

So, ask yourself: Are you living by preferences or principles? Are you piling your life with “what if” distractions and comforts, or are you stripping away what doesn’t matter and focusing on what will actually help you grow? Are you staying in the shallow end where it’s safe, or are you willing to wade into the deeper waters where real transformation happens?

For years, I wasn’t. I was so focused on what felt good in the moment—chasing distractions and avoiding the hard stuff—that I couldn’t see how it was slowing me down. It wasn’t until I started unpacking my life—letting go of unnecessary baggage and focusing on the fundamentals—that I realized how much time I’d wasted carrying what I didn’t need. It wasn’t easy. It still isn’t. But I’ve learned that sticking to principles, even when it’s uncomfortable, is the only way to move forward.

And here’s the truth: you’ve seen this play out over and over in history. The people who build something extraordinary aren’t the ones who grab every new shiny object or cling to what’s comfortable. They’re the ones who double down on the basics, who focus on what works and do it with consistency. They’re the ones who don’t let their preferences steer the ship. They let their principles lead.

This isn’t about overhauling your life in one big leap. It’s about small, intentional choices every day. It’s about letting go of what’s weighing you down and committing to the essentials—the things that truly matter. Whether it’s finally tackling a goal, starting something new, or just deciding to stop running from the hard stuff, this is your moment to choose principles over preferences.

Because here’s the thing: life isn’t waiting for you to figure it out. You don’t need every shiny object, every safety net, or every distraction. What you need is to let go of what’s not serving you, step boldly into the challenge zone, and trust that the fundamentals will carry you through.

So, what’s it going to be? Are you ready to drop the baggage and move forward? Or are you going to keep dragging around what’s comfortable, missing out on what’s possible? The choice is yours. But if you’re serious about where you’re going, I’ll let you in on a secret: the journey is easier when you pack light.