The Slow Movement: Simplify your life

Why do so many of us work too hard, live too fast and feel as though there are never enough hours in the day? Making a change to a slower, quieter, less busy life is a choice, but one which is within reach of all of us.

Giving up a life of speed is a bit like quitting smoking - until you are ready to commit, your chances of success are low.

How do you go about slowing down and simplifying life?

Here are three strategies to simplify your life.

1. Recognise that less is more

Often, we think we need more help to save time (housekeepers, cooks, gardeners etc), when we actually need fewer problems. If you’ve never had an urge to clean out your stuff, you are missing out on one of the easiest and most effective ways to simplify your life.

Removing clutter works on a physical and mental level. Uncluttered surroundings do equal an uncluttered mind. Try tossing out those photos you’ve not looked at for 20 years, keeping only one or two. Try shaving half an hour off the start and end time of your day. You may be surprised to find you can get through the same amount of work without noticing.

2. Learn to say the Magic Word: No

Get comfortable saying no to things. This is a great way to feel in control of your life, so determine what your priorities are and say no to everything else.

Practice is the key. Here are a few things I’d say no to right off the bat:

unrealistic client expectations;
functions (family and work) you don’t want to go to;
meetings; and
volunteering on committees.

You get the picture. This doesn’t make you selfish, it means you are consciously choosing how to spend your time, not having others make that decision for you.

3. Streamline your possessions

DVD players, coffee grinders, multiple telephones, computers, digital cameras and so on are must have items these days. The trouble is, the more we have the more we want.

And the more we have, the harder we have to work to pay for our new toys. New gadgets also take up time – installing, troubleshooting, learning how to use them. None of us need things that take up more time!

Go through your house and look at everything you have that you haven’t used for 12 months or more. If it’s not sentimental and doesn’t add real value to your life, then simplify your life and get rid of it! You’re not using it anyway.

Follow these three tips and you’re on your way to a more simple life. You may find you’ve freed up some headspace and time for further thought - time away from the busyness and the business to get reacquainted with who you are and what’s important to you.

Megan Tough runs Complete Potential, a company that helps businesses solve their strategy and people problems. She loves being a solopreneur, and when she doesn't have her nose to the grindstone, is fulfilling her other passion of fitness and health.

14 Jan 09

Print this item

5 comments | Add your own

Thanks for the inspiring strategies, Megan.
I am a huge fan of uncluttering - from the wardrobe to the office, and everything in between. I am always amazed at how much clearer my head is and how much easier it is to focus sans cluttered thoughts. Amanda Jephtha from Sydney
Great article Megan!! I have been selling items and plenty of books and was amazed how much freedom comes from downsizing. Reminds me of a story of John Wesley when someone ran to tell him about his house burning down. He exclaimed "Great, one less thing for me to be responsible for" (or words to that effect). Rich from Sydney
Thanks Megan! It's the simplest things that often work the best, and a little reminder always helps! I am getting really good at identifying when I am most productive and just running with it, that way I feel less frustrated during down-times and genuinely enjoy the break. Cheers! Rosie Murphy from Victoria Australia
Fantastically simple strategies Megan. Some I'm good at - like saying no (most of the time) - but I am appalling at getting rid of clutter and let it build up. I recently had a purge in my office (due to a new baby who is soon to move in to that space) so I can start working from the dining table uncluttered. It feels great! Johanna Baker-Dowdell from Wamberal, NSW | Read my articles
more kudos to you! Awesome post. I think u should give up ur day job and be a self help guru, really! Phine6 from kyogle

5 comments | Add your own

Add Your comments

Preview comment

Name

Website *

Town / city and country

Email (never sold, displayed or given away)

* This will link your name to your site. So please avoid self promotion elsewhere! We delete spam, disrespectful or off-topic comments.