Self-Help Myths: The Power Of Less
It seems that simplifying your life is the big personal-growth trend right now, pushed by sites like Zen Habits. Personal productivity has had it’s day in the spotlight, now it’s the turn of simplifying, streamlining, identifying the essential, or whatever you want to call it. Goodbye David Allen and say hello Leo Babauta (or maybe not). We’ve gone from focusing on being super-efficient to being super-effective, almost like a bunch of fashionistas going from black to grey… and back again. However, simplifying your life isn’t, ironically, as simple as you might think. Consider the following problems with it:
How To Recharge Your Emotional Batteries
It’s several years old now but do you remember The Matrix? In it humans were used literally as batteries to feed their machine masters. The analogy of humans as batteries actually isn’t far wrong. If you’ve ever worked flat out at work for a week and then felt run down and exhausted several days afterwards, your battery levels are running low. A lot of people know this happens, can see the signs and typically take action (lying in on a Sunday, for example). However, what’s not so recognized is that when your body is running on low it also manifests itself mentally. Feel down, fed up, not motivated to do anything? You need to recharge those batteries.
Considering The Cumulative Effect Of Your Actions
The consequences of any big dramatic action or decision is usually pretty obvious. Buying a house is naturally going to make a big impact on your finances. Changing your job will also shake up your lifestyle, at least temporarily. However, I’ve found that it’s often the little decisions and small things in life that, though seemingly minor, can have the biggest consequences, especially in the long term.
Ask The Readers: How Do You Get Focused?
Focus right now is a big issue for me. Mind like water? Yeah, whatever. The golden oldie – getting in the zone – is still where it’s at. There is nothing quite like being so focused on what you’re doing that tasks just fly off your to-do list. There is a lot written about getting focused (check out my own tips), but I’ve found the most effective strategy involves cutting out distractions. While typing up this post for instance, it took me twice as long to do because I let the following three distractions break my focus:
Are You Like Half-A-Job Bob?
Half-a-job Bob is the guy who never fully finishes what he’s doing. He cleans the home, but doesn’t put away the hoover or duster after use. He will process his mail and pay his bills but he won’t actually file any of it away till later. It drives me mad, because he regularly leaves loose ends all over the place without a care in the world, so they inevitably become my loose ends too. Are you like half-a-job Bob?