Focus - Leo Babauta [27]
A simplified work life can be difficult for a couple of reasons, though:
You have to learn to say "no" to others. By saying "yes" to every request from others, you allow all your time to be taken up by tasks that are important to others, not necessarily to you. Saying "no" means being tough, and valuing your time above all else. It can be uncomfortable to say "no" sometimes, but the result is more room for what's important, and less busy-ness.
You should also try to learn to do less. This is difficult for most people, because we're taught that doing more means we're more productive, and if we look busy, people will think we're productive and important. And yet, it's not true. Being busy doesn't mean a thing, other than we're stressed out. We could be busy doing meaningless tasks. Doing important work is what true productivity is all about, and that doesn't necessarily mean we're ridiculously busy. Focus on fewer but higher-impact tasks..
how to get started
With all of this clutter in our lives to simplify, it can be overwhelming, daunting, to even get started. Don't let that stop you -- getting started is more important than doing everything at once, or starting in exactly the right place.
There are two things I'd recommend you do to get started -- and you can choose which one to do first, as it doesn't matter really where you start:
Pick your life's short list. It's crucial that you take a step back and figure out what's most important to you. I suggest taking half a day off, or even just 30-60 minutes. Get outside and take a walk, or go to a coffee shop, and allow yourself to think. Big picture stuff: what do you love most? Every person's list will be different -- my list was: spending time with family, writing, reading and running. Pick just 4-5 things, even if there are lots of other things that also seem important. Now make a longer list: what else is in your life that's not on the short list? Once you've done these things, you're done with the Big Picture stuff -- the next step is to start eliminating commitments that aren't on the short list. Do the same for your work life -- what's most important, and what doesn't make your short list of most important projects and goals?
Start clearing clutter in one spot. Physical clutter can be overwhelming, which is why you should just pick one small spot, and clear that. You can get to the rest later. It might be the top of your desk, or if that is super messy maybe just one spot on top of your desk. It might be a table-top or part of a counter or shelf in your home. It doesn't matter what the spot is. Here's how to start: first clear off that area and put everything into a pile to the side. Now sort through the pile quickly, making three smaller piles: stuff you use and love, stuff you can donate, and trash. Sort quickly and ruthlessly -- everything should go in one of the three piles. Then throw the trash away, put the donate stuff in a box to be dropped off to a charity, and put the stuff you love and use neatly where it belongs. Everything should have a permanent home. Done! Slowly expand your decluttered zone.
how to systematically simplify
Once you've gotten started with the two things above, take this newly found momentum and keep it going. You don't need to do it all at once -- 20 minutes a day would do wonders. Small steps, one at a time.
Here's what I'd do, in little chunks:
Take 10 minutes a day to clear another small area of clutter. It could be another area on top of your desk or a table, it could be a drawer, a shelf, a counter, a small area of the floor, a wall that's covered in papers in your office. Follow the sorting method above. Expand the decluttered zone daily.
Take 10 minutes a day to simplify your commitments, what you do, and what comes in to your life. Just simplify one or two things a day. If you choose a commitment to eliminate, simply call or email someone, letting