Less is not a dirty word.

 Less is More…..  

    

So many times in our lives we are told that we need to do more, be more, have more. Society tells us that if we find ourselves unhappy it is because we need something that we do not have. I often ask myself, will I spend my life chasing after what I think will make me happy? Or will I be happy no matter what I have or how many talents I develop? And what are the steps I should take to help me figure out my path to happiness in this moment? I do not think that I am alone in this pursuit so let’s evaluate the facts of life we are facing.

You first challenge is going to be cutting out the information and task overloads we are faced with every day. There are so many small meaningless tasks that fill both our professional and personal lives. Emails, Phones calls, tasks, and busy work that our time is eaten up with them and our true goals are never met. The first thing you have to do is separate the essential, and get rid of all the rest. By reducing the number of tasks in your life and focusing on the essential you will be more productive and your stress levels will be dramatically lower. In Leo Babauta’s book ‘The Power of Less’ he tells readers that three things happen when you cut out the clutter. First you help your life and career become less stress ful. Secondly it stops you from getting spread too thin to make a difference. And finally you teach others that your time is valuable. Here are your first two steps;

Set Practical Limits

You should set limits in every area of your life or career in every area in  which you would like to improve. Start by Analyzing your current usage and pick a limit that you feel would be ideal, test your new limit for a reasonable period of time and evaluate if it works for you or not. If it is not working adjust to a new level that you think will work better and try that. Continue to adjust your limits until you find the perfect level to form a new habit.

Choose what is most essential

The second step is to choose what is essential. Here are 9 questions to help you figure that out.

1-What are your values?

2-What are your goals?

3-What are you Passionate about?

4-What is important to you?

5-What will have the greatest impact?

6-What is the best long term value?

7- Which Items do you actually need and which do you merely want?

8-Which items can you eliminate without any problems?

9.What changes when you take another look at your choices a week or two later?

Now take some time to ponder these things and I will get back to you in a few weeks with your next assignment. It is time to take your power back and find your happiness in the now…….