The great detective Sherlock Holmes famously said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

Likewise, we can apply this same methodology in removing those things and activities that do not enhance or advance our lives. In essence, when we have eliminated the nonessential, whatever remains, however seemingly simple, must be what is most important.

What are some truly nonessential things that get in the way of pursuing our dreams and goals? Surely excessive television watching and social media grazing steal away our time. Caffeine and insufficient sleep steal away energy. Excess sugar and dehydration steal away our vitality.

After removing these nonessential things, we often find that what remains are the simple basics. Things like reading more books, drinking sufficient water, and getting adequate rest each night.

We all know this, but it is amazing how easily we let ourselves get distracted and derailed and allow our schedules to be preoccupied by pointless minutiae that does not serve us.

In the military, they call it basic training for a reason. When you return to—and master—the fundamentals, the complexities usually take care of themselves.

This week, take some time to consider what nonessential activities or habits you could strip away from your daily routine to make room for the essentials. I recommend starting with changing just one thing. Ask yourself, “What is the one thing I could do or stop doing now that would radically impact my life in the next six months?”

You already know your answer, don’t you?

Go and do that.