Of all the Attraction Principles, the most popular class I teach is "Simplify Your Life - Yes, You CAN!" Based on class attendance, articles in the press, and requests from clients, it's clear there is tremendous desire to live more simply, be more productive, and have greater peace of mind. While the details are different for each of us, the central theme is: "I want less stress, more time and more integrity, and I haven't been able to get it!"
The core of this article is that in the next 5 days you can dramatically simplify your life without avoiding your responsibilities or reducing your output. In fact, as you simplify, your life will improve and you'll contribute more, not less, to your work and loved ones. In 5 days, I predict you can reduce your sense of "hassle" by at least 50 items, and add one new practice that will solidify your gains forever!
Monday: Clutter. This Monday, take 10 minutes and clear out 10 items that bug you. That junk mail on your desk? In the wastebasket. Those old magazines on the coffee table? Trash 'em! The plant that's almost dead in your office? Water it or trash it. Don't worry about it, don't debate, just deal with these things! In a quick 10 minutes, sweep through your home or office and clean out, throw out, put away or fix 10 small annoyances and make your environment a cleaner, healthier place. You deserve the best. Don't put up with clutter!
Tuesday: Tolerations. Tolerations are slightly different than clutter, although they over-lap. Tolerations are things like putting up with a dirty carpet, a car that needs repairs, or a favorite shirt you can't wear because it's missing a button. Choose 10 items, list them, and make commitments to get them fixed or replaced. You may not resolve them on Tuesday, but in 10 minutes take steps so you never have to tolerate these 10 items again. Clutter and Tolerations undermine our enthusiasm, waste our time, they create doubt and they discourage us. Get rid of 'em!
Wednesday: Tasks and Errands. If your life is stressed and hectic, my bet is that you're running errands and doing things you don't need to do. Take 10 minutes and choose 10 tasks you will stop doing! Combine errands, or delegate them to someone else. Simplify your wardrobe, take a bag-lunch and avoid the rush to the cafeteria. Renting a video requires TWO TRIPS! Read a book or play with the kids instead. Hire a housekeeper. Most of these things are not "rocket science", they are simple things we ignore because they are so small. But they catch up with us and destroy the quality of our lives. In 10 minutes, commit to eliminating 10 time wasters!
Thursday: Update Your Rolodex! All of us have relationships and "friendships" that no longer serve us. And, on the other hand, if you don't have a great doctor, a mechanic you trust, an insurance agent and other experts you can call when you need them, you are not prepared for the inevitable surprises of life. Take 10 minutes to run through your address book and remove obsolete or unneeded entries. Clean 'em out! Then, get the phone book and jot down the names and phone numbers of 10 experts for your "support staff". If appropriate, schedule a meeting to get acquainted. Simplify your life - have your team in place before you need them!
Friday: Saying, "NO!" Most of the items this week are about getting rid of the self-talk that we "should keep that", or "I should run that errand." Most of the complications in life come from thinking we "should" do things that make no sense! If you don't want to, or it seems stressful or unnecessary, Just Say NO! Before you can say "YES!" to your own life, you have to say "NO!" to other people's ideas of how your "should" live. If you want to say "YES!" to art, music, love, laughter, and joy, you must first say "NO!" to a thousand things someone, somewhere thinks you "should" do. Make sure you say "NO!" at least 10 times today! It could change your life!
And A BONUS: Say YES! to peace and quiet. Whether you prefer to call it mediation, prayer, quiet time, or whatever, the principle is to nurture and renew yourself with 10 minutes of peace and quiet every day. Get up a few minutes early and walk slowly around the block. Read for 10 minutes after the kids are in bed. Write in a journal or sip a cup of tea. If you are serious about simplifying your life, slow down and be quiet for 10 minutes at least once a day. You deserve it!
Have a wonder-FILLED week! Slow down, watch a sunrise, do something nice for yourself and for someone else. Above all, be true to yourself!
? Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
professional maid services Deerfield .."Fashionably late" is no longer in fashion. In today's heavily... Read More
Isn't it amazing that some people can produce huge results... Read More
Looking out through my picture window during a recent winter... Read More
How do you manage your time? Or is the more... Read More
Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More
How many people do you know who are so busy... Read More
You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More
If you feel like your life moves faster than a... Read More
Does it seem like there is never enough time in... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
The techies could do a lot more to make our... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More
A new client recently admitted to me sheepishly that she... Read More
Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More
Clarity brings accomplishmentOne of the most important things you can... Read More
Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More
Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management... Read More
I keep a fossil on my desk at all times.... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More
One of the biggest problems most people have when it... Read More
How can you get an extra hour out of each... Read More
quick home cleaning Lake Forest ..As the song goes, this is the time to relax,... Read More
Would you like to know how to get 10 times... Read More
One of the most challenging aspect in life is time... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More
How many of us are guilty of "Putting the cart... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that... Read More
One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind... Read More
* spreading yourself too thinTaking on too many things at... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
"Work smarter, not harder" is a clich? that has darted... Read More
People always seem to be in such a hurry, everywhere... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
Choose to be HappyHappiness is a choice. You can choose... Read More
Years ago when I started in this business, it seemed... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
We all get overwhelmed from time to time, and sometimes... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around... Read More
Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More
Time Management |