o summon the right people, activities, and passions in life, you need to declutter — and that doesn’t mean doing the KonMari method. In this case, it means disconnecting from unhealthy relationships and quitting bad habits such as self-sabotaging behaviors and meaningless rituals, says Ernest Sears (MBA ’02), author of “Detox Your Circle, Activate Your Destiny.” Sears, a lifestyle design consultant and relationship strategy coach for SOS Consulting in Phoenix, wrote the book after reaching a turning point and crisis of meaning in his life.
“It’s a process to move from inspiration to manifestation. There are pitfalls along the way that we must be able to either circumnavigate or deactivate,” says Sears, who retired from corporate leadership in 2016. “This is where I use the 13 toxic red flags to help readers stay vigilant about what might show up on the horizon at any time. It is always better to have an idea of what might be coming your way and how to prevent these negative energies from hijacking your destiny.”
Published by Balboa Press this year, “Detox Your Circle” relies on the idea that people are overwhelmed and distracted by a myriad of choices. The book helps readers focus on what really matters and demonstrates how decluttering can trigger clarity and resonance.
“People must have a vision for their lives and a mission to focus on the things that bring fulfillment and satisfaction,” says Sears. “Once clarity is achieved, a person can better decide about things that do or do not align with their life.”
“Detox Your Circle” is similar to prescriptive nonfiction in the style of Daniel H. Pink (“When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing”), Seth Godin (“Linchpin”), and Michael Hyatt (“Your Best Year Ever”), offering practical tools for simplifying a life that has become far too complicated.
“When we detox our Rolodex, our true nature and essence attract more of who we are. What ensues is a resonance that sets the tone and cosmic parameters for fulfilling destiny,” Sears says.
He puts into practice what he wrote in his book, as a devoted father to two adult, college-educated daughters, Judge Elaissia Sears (BA Global Studies ’17), who’s the justice of the peace for West Mesa Justice Court; Kiersten Sears, who owns Dogs by Design grooming company in Show Low, Arizona; and life partner to Kiana Maria Storey-Sears, who works at ASU as assistant director of faith outreach.
During his 22-year management career, Sears worked in C-level roles, winning numerous awards for coaching expertise and creating winning cultures. After earning a bachelor’s degree in linguistics in 1989 and his MBA at the W. P. Carey School of Business, he built cohesive, self-sufficient, high-performing teams in corporate environments. He also taught ethics in management as an adjunct professor from 2005–2010. Currently, Sears provides professional development workshops and seminars for the Head Start Birth to 5 and First Things First programs for the city of Phoenix.