The Art of a Simple Life
Nothing is good enough.
We want more.
More cars, more shoes, more money, and we ALWAYS complain about not having enough time.
If we give up some of our SHIT, the pursuit of materialistic endeavors for one, we would have more TIME.
Life is simple if we spend time on the things we're purposefully passionate about.
Simple doesn't mean boring, but we could all use more boring.
More thinking.
This is the main reason I deleted all social media applications off my phone.
It takes work.
We have to filter out the noise.
Here's how …
Become intimate with your life's values.
“I can focus on everything and end up with nothing or I can focus on one thing, and get everything.”
Your values are your life's filtering mechanism.
For example, one of mine is…
Less is more: I do more with less. I don't major in minor things. The most important thing is keeping the most important thing, the most important thing. What's the one thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary? These are things I keep top of mind…ALWAYS.
Being ADD, I tend to bounce around like a toddler in a bounce house. It's my superpower, but it pulls me in a million directions.
My less is more value helps me focus on the most important goals in my business and my life.
I can focus on everything and end up with nothing or I can focus on one thing, and get everything.
I don't need more. I need better.
If you don't have five to ten life values, start drafting them now. Refine them. Make them a part of who you are.
Your values act as your life's filtering system. If something goes against your values, you say, no thanks, and move on.
Create a life plan.
In Michal Hyatt's book "Living Forward," he explains it as a map you need to stay on the path to the life you desire.
Without a map, how do you know where you're going?
I will keep constant watch over myself and — most usefully — will put each day up for review. For this is what makes us evil — that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflect upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for the future descend from the past." — Seneca, "Moral Letters," 83.2
As you begin to draft your life plan, start with your life's mission and purpose.
What are you here to achieve?
My health is non-negotiable. Big gym, small gym. Big garage, small garage. Big kitchen, small kitchen. All day every day. Without me, I’m nothing!
Once you establish your life's mission and values, you'll begin to focus on the most important areas of your life.
One of my life's domains is health because, without me, I'm nothing.
I'll review it every quarter/year, and establish a goal to make progress on it. Am I doing great in this area? If so, I'll focus on another life domain…like my parental aspirations.
The best advice I can give on creating your life plan is to go read "Living forward."
If you focus on everything, you achieve nothing. Focus on a few goals at a time.
I created a goal system I call VSPRE.
It breaks down your three year Vision, one-year Strategy, quarterly Priorities, weekly Review, and daily Execution.
When you have ten yearly goals you're pushing towards, you'll focus on three to five each quarter.
Every week and day within that quarter is meant to move these goals forward.
You'll get distracted. Interruptions will happen. You'll begin to chase the Golden Goose.
That's okay.
You’re human, right?
You'll come back to your goals and re-focus.
It would be easy for me to list 100 goals and priorities I want to achieve but how the hell can I possibly get them all done?
I can't.
I have to focus.
So do you.
When you feel overwhelmed and off course, ask yourself these questions.
There's no better way to get yourself re-focused on your goals than with simple questions.
Why do I need this?
When you have a new idea pop up in your head, and before you start working out a plan that will overshadow your current goals, ask this question.
Why do you need it? Is it more important than what you're doing now?
Will it bring value to my life?
If it's a new priority, it should bring some value to your life plan. If not, then why pursue it?
Your goals should mesh nicely with your life plan; otherwise, you're just chasing objects.
With your hyperconnected world, it's easy to get distracted. Avoid temptation. Focus on your life plan and the goals and priorities you need to achieve to get you there.
