Articles

Five Tips For Simplifying Your Life
by Linda Young, Ph.D.

Many of us feel that we no longer control our time or the direction of our lives. There are more and more things to do and, seemingly, less time to do them in. We may have created a full and challenging life but have no time to enjoy it. However, there are some ways to slow things down and simplify our lives. Listed below are five suggestions:

1) In order to make more time for yourself, paradoxically, you have to take time to examine how you are using your time now. There's the saying "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." Begin to think about what can be changed or eliminated in order to simplify your life.

2) Vilfredo Pareto in 1897 stated the 80/20 Principle, which says that 20% of our effort produces 80% of the results. The challenge is to identify these few vital items that produce the greatest value for you. Focus on the activities that result in the greatest satisfaction and eliminate those activities that are unprofitable.

3) Take on fewer responsibilities. Many of us may think the answer to our busy schedules is to get more help. But think about it. If you hire someone to help you get more done, you've actually complicated your life further. The answer is not to get more help; it's to take on fewer responsibilities.

4) If you want to simplify your life, learn to say no. Individuals get into trouble when they agree to do things they really don't have time to do. This eventually leads to a constant state of being overwhelmed,frustrated and even resentful.

5) Clear away the clutter around you. Get rid of things you don't use. One suggestion is to go through your house and get rid of everything you haven't used in the past year. When considering your next purchase, consider not only it's immediate cost in money but the cost of it's use over time. Particularly with the latest electronic "toy or gadget", factor in the cost of setting it up, learning how to use it or fixing problems with it down the road. If you feel like you have to have some product or item, put it on a "30 day wait list". At the end of the 30 days, ask yourself if you still need the item. Chances are you will have lost interest or the enthusiasm for the item and will cross it off the list. When thinking about all our purchases and possessions, the saying comes to mind, "that which we own owns us."

Clutter is a hindrance to many of us. In the eBook, Success Secrets of A Clutter Free Life by life coach Mary McNeil, she suggests that we change the way we think about clutter to change those lifelong clutter building habits. This 30-day learning and action program can help. To learn more, click on : http://tinyurl.com/35gaox

Dr. Linda Young is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Tallahassee, Florida. She works with both adolescents and adults in her private practice, specializing in the treatment of mood disorders, relationship concerns, grief issues and chemical dependency treatment. For more articles, visit http://www.mentalhealthcorner.com Linda Young, Ph.D. may be contacted at http://www.mentalhealthcorner.com or info@mentalhealthcorner.com