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
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere are the golden rules that apply to time. If... Read More
The most powerful resource that we have is time. Everything... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
"Work smarter, not harder" is a clich? that has darted... Read More
Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I... Read More
What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More
How do you eat two elephants? The same way you... Read More
There are two types of time killers in everyone's life.... Read More
A new client recently admitted to me sheepishly that she... Read More
Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More
If you can motivate yourself at will to get any... Read More
"If you control your time, you control your life" -... Read More
A simple kitchen gadget is transforming my life. I don't... Read More
One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
Would you describe yourself as extremely busy? Do you often... Read More
As mothers we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
Too much to do, too little time, constant stress. Most... Read More
How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More
To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
Not 1 in 10 people can tell you where money... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Time - it is the one thing that we are... Read More
Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More
Determine Your Procrastination PersonalityBrook Noel is the author of The... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
When a good friend asked me to contribute a little... Read More
It's always a challenge finding time to clean my house.... Read More
When is the best time to plan your day? Well,... Read More
It is common knowledge that creating and living according to... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I... Read More
It's amazing how many sayings there are in our culture... Read More
Balancing a family's varying schedules can be near impossible. Soccer,... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More
We don't realize many things we do until we draw... Read More
This is one more article on "Organizing and Enjoying Your... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Most people want to start a home-based business to make... Read More
Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More
There is no such thing as time management. You cannot... Read More
Time and money are both very important in business. Yet,... Read More
I have a habit of sending a thank you letter... Read More
Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More
Time Management |