Tips for Simplifying Your Life

Have a clear vision of where you want to go in life. You don't need to know how you will get there yet, just know where you want to go. Have a clear understanding of your values and what is important to you.
Write down some of the goals you would like to achieve. Look at each goal to determine if they match with your vision and values.
Get rid of any that do not match. Choose one or two of these goals to begin with. Allow yourself to put the other goals away for the time being. Having too many goals will only create havoc and chaos.
Limit your television viewing to only the shows you really want to see. Plan your television time in advance and turn the set off when the show is over.
Consider hiring a local high schooler or college age helper. Use them to run errands, organize your mail, cook dinners, help with cleaning or laundry, etc.
Use a date book or PDA consistently. Write down everything you and your family need to do and make it a habit to check your schedule on a daily basis.
Limit your activities to one volunteer project at a time and limit your children to one activity at a time. Don't allow yourself to spend hours each day taking your children from one place to another.
Ask yourself four questions before accepting any obligation: Will this help me to reach my vision? Will this help me to accomplish any of my goals? Will I enjoy myself? Will this interfere with other obligations? Determine if this activity will fit your life based on your answers before committing yourself.
Do you have an answering machine, cell phone, voice mail at work, pager, email? You may want to cut some of these off so that you can accomplish your goals without constant disruption. At the very least, start turning off your cell phone and using it only when you need to call someone. Set aside a specific time each day to answer emails or messages to avoid changing course each time you return a phone call.
Use automatic payments or bank online to have bills paid automatically each month.
Delegate responsibilities at home to other members of the family. Have your older children be responsible for their own laundry and have all of your "common" rooms assigned to one person to keep clean.
Delegate responsibilities at work as much as possible. Consider telecommuting if possible, or at least try to find a way you can work at home a few days each week. If possible, in lieu of your next raise, request additional time off instead.
Take your most difficult or dreaded tasks and complete them first thing in the morning. Get them out of the way in order to allow yourself to concentrate on other tasks rather than worrying about the ones you really don't want to do.
Know that where you are right now is exactly where you should be. Don't worry if you haven't accomplished what you think you should have or what others expect you to accomplish. Be okay with where you are and work forward from there.
Find 10-20 minutes each day to sit and relax, do nothing, or meditate. This is a few minutes to reflect on your day, your vision and to clear your mind.
Understand that simplifying your life is an ongoing process. Keep at it and continue to work at making your life simpler and more satisfying.

Written by an on-line friend- Eileen Bailey.

 

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