Today’s world is incredibly complicated. So much so that most of us are seeking ways to simplify our lives amid the blizzard of busyness.
The trick to simplifying your life is to look at what you do in a given month. Then analyze what needs to be done from what can be removed or trimmed back.
As an example, here are five ways that I’ve simplified my life in 2015.
Perhaps some of them will inspire you and ignite your own ideas.
After you going through them, feel free to share how you’ve simplified your life in the comments.
1. I am only speaking in 4 events a year. In the past, I used to accept the majority of the speaking invitations that came my way. So I was on the road at least once a month. Sometimes I would travel twice a month.
A few years ago, however, I became very choosey on which invitations I selected. Traveling so much just wasn’t the best use of my time. So I cut back to only 6 speaking events a year. This made my live appearances more special and valuable.
Next year (2016), I will only travel and speak 4 times.
(That said, if you want to invite me to speak at your event, go to my Speaking page for details.)
2. I will begin blogging once a week. When I became intentional about being a professional blogger, I blogged 5 days a week. Then I dialed it back to 3 days a week. For the past year or so, I’ve posted two days a week. Very soon, I plan to blog one day a week — every Thursday. Once in a while, I’ll publish a new author interview on Sunday. But my main posts on Thursdays will be high-voltage articles. So you’ll want to stay subscribed.
The reason for this is because I’ll be devoting most of my “work” time and energy on my new Mentoring/Connecting project (which will include my new Master Class on God’s Eternal Purpose). I’ll also be using my work time to write new books — I have 6 in the queue right now.
3. I am turning my iPhone off more often. Up until last week, my phone would be on until the battery died. But now, I keep it off much of the day. I’m still connected online throughout the day, but I use a desktop or laptop for that. I use my phone mainly for calls.
4. I stopped using texting for conversations. I never liked using my phone for texting. It can be a time vampire and a productivity interrupter. So when I receive a text, I now ask the person to call or email me.
5. I cut down the podcasts I consume to only one. In addition, the courses I take are from the same person. I find so little out there today that’s unique, creative, and inspiring. It’s virtually all same-ole, same-ole. Since time is a limited resource, I only want to use it for the gold.
How have you simplified your life?
Are You Eating from the Right Tree?
Great post Frank! The busy lives we all live are our down fall in my opinion. I have three small kids at home and I have implemented almost all of these tactics you list to help unclutter my life & allows to enjoy people’s company verses the digital way. I have missed so much by not being present because of busyness.
“5. I cut down the podcasts I consume to only one. In addition, the courses I take are from the same person. I find so little out there today that’s unique, creative, and inspiring. It’s virtually all same-ole, same-ole. Since time is a limited resource, I only want to use it for the gold.”
And the name of that person is ….. ??
One day I might share that. But it will most likely be with the folks I’m mentoring. See http://thedeeperchristianlife.com – in the “Inside Peek” section.
Frank, would you mind sharing the name of the person that creates the one podcast you mention in #5, who is by same person that you take courses from. Which courses? Would love this resource.
Blessings,
Gaynor
See my response to Jerry.
I think these are good suggestions. It is becoming harder every year to resist the tide of technological advances, especially in a consumer driven society.
Wow, Frank – 6 book ideas is fantastic!
I am sure you have also felt lots of frustration not getting to those important projects.
I feel it is more important than ever to do things like you recommend – turn off the distractions – so we can get to the truly important stuff.
In other words, the key is being INTENTIONAL about the use of our time. That requires being very wise about working habits that don’t merely leave us led by others’ agendas.
Thanks for the reminders and suggestions, Frank!