10 Ways to reduce the complexity of your usual life

Journal, Learning, Positive Life, Self Discovery

The society in which we live is really hectic. I am sure you got it. There are a great deal of commitments that we are expected to fulfill. There is a great deal going on right now. Someone, somewhere, is constantly in need of something. There is a high probability that any opportunity you have to relax will be disrupted by another problem, wish, emergency, or distraction. There is little opportunity to relax and take some deep breaths. Think about this if you wish to keep things straightforward in your life…

  1. Figure Out What You Consider to Be Most Important

Knowing what is truly important is the first step in living a life that is simpler and more enjoyable. What aspects of your life do you prioritize? How would you describe the lifestyle of someone who lives a modest life? Writing down the top four to five objectives of your life and using that list as a guide might be a useful tool.

  1. Get rid of all the extra stuff

You and your dreams become stifled when you accumulate more and more stuff. When you have a lot of things, you also have a lot of things that need to be taken care of and worried about. Consider yourself a first-time buyer and examine any room in your house as though you were doing it for the first time. What can be ditched? What can be preserved? After that, get started on the process of decluttering.

  1. Establish Normal Daily Habits

It’s important to establish routines so that you can get things done while still having time to enjoy life. You should begin by identifying any activities or responsibilities that involve repeating the same steps. Make it a habit to develop routines that you can perform almost mindlessly. You will economize both time and effort as a result of this.

  1. It’s Ok to Say No

Saying “no” more often will help simplify your life, even if it hurts to let people down. It means you’ll have fewer commitments and more time to focus on what really matters. The ability to say “no” and mean it is a powerful tool in achieving success.

  1. Relish your time with those you care about

Life is easier — and, truth be told, more enjoyable — when you prioritize spending time with the people who matter the most to you. In other words, you shouldn’t abandon your loved ones. You need only identify who deserves your undivided attention.

  1. Cut ties with negative people in your life

Toxic friends, family, or partners can complicate our life more than anyone else. Remove the unnecessary complexity from your life by choosing not to participate in their drama. Try to spend as little time as possible in their company.

  1. Curb your online habits and usage time

A simple life does not consist of being constantly available via notifications, social media, or email. Although it may be challenging, it is important to find methods to minimize the disruption caused by your phone and email. One step in the right direction is to schedule times when you will check your email and social media accounts.

  1. Cut Down on Clothing Clutter

Probably only about 20% of your closet items get any actual use. Then why do you keep so many clothes that it’s difficult to find something to wear? It’s time to pare down your closet to a select few high-quality, versatile staples. Just think about how much more relaxed your mornings just got.

  1. To get the most out of your week, plan it out

The best method to streamline your week is to spend some time planning it out. It serves as a guide for your future actions. There will be no more time wasted wondering what to do next or rushing to finish off tasks you forgot about.

  1. Put an end to your striving for perfection

Paralyzing perfectionism is a real problem. You just freeze up. When we have a lot on our plates and it all seems too much, we tend to focus on the big picture and not on figuring out how to break it down into manageable chunks. then we end up sitting around doing nothing. There’s an African parable “How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Do you have any tips on ways to simplifying this life to make the journey ever more pleasant? Share it in the comments.

Understanding the Pomodoro Technique: A Brief Explanation

Journal, Learning, Positive Life, Productivity

The Pomodoro technique may sound familiar if you’ve been searching for ways to improve your productivity online. In the ranks of time-saving methods, this technique ranks up there.  Have you ever taken the time to think about just what it is or where it got its start?

Exactly what is the Pomodoro Technique?

Using a basic kitchen timer, the Pomodoro technique is a time-tested method for maximizing productivity. Use a kitchen timer (the tomato-shaped timer from which this technique takes its name) and set it for 25 minutes. This is the time period in which you devote yourself entirely to whatever it is you’re attempting to finish. When the alarm goes off, you have five minutes to relax and regroup.

Following the period of the break, the timer is reset and work resumes. You should rest for 15 to 30 minutes after every four sets (or Pomodoros). This process is repeated until you have achieved your goal.

Who developed this method, anyway?

Francesco Cirillo, a student at the University of the Netherlands, came up with this method because he struggled to find an efficient method of studying. He realized he had to bargain with himself to study for even 10 more minutes. “I’ll give it 10 more minutes of studying and then I’ll reward myself with a short break.”

After some time, he realized that this “bargaining” actually worked. He purchased a kitchen timer and began keeping track of how long his study sessions lasted, ultimately settling on 25 minutes.

Working in short sprints is effective, but you can achieve the same results without resorting to the Pomodoro Technique.

The Pomodoro Technique suggests working in 25-minute intervals, but you may discover that this is too long or too short for your needs.

If you want to get work done in short sprints, you don’t have to resort to the Pomodoro technique. Both your work periods and their accompanying breaks are flexible, depending on your preferences. One of the great things about the Pomodoro technique is that it can be modified to suit anyone’s specific needs.

You will profit from using a timing system, whether you use the Pomodoro approach or come up with your own. Get a timer and break up your next project into manageable chunks.

 

3 Tips for Getting Things Done

Journal, Learning, Positive Life, Self Discovery

Is there one person in your circle of friends who seems to breeze through even the most challenging tasks? Are you curious about their methods? Because they appear get a lot done!

Here are three strategies that can boost your productivity to the level of your most successful peers.

Observe Rest Periods

In spite of appearances, taking a break can actually increase your productivity. When you give your mind some downtime for relaxation and inspiration, it can perform at its peak. Taking short breaks throughout the workday can help. Try for once an hour if possible, but more often is fine as well.

Stop what you’re doing and go to the restroom, grab a bite to eat, or get some exercise during your break. Experiment with different interval lengths to determine how often you need to rest your mind, and then adhere as closely as you can to that schedule.

Timed sprint of work

Setting a timer for each work session is just as important as taking frequent breaks. Set the timer for a short period of time, no more than 20 or 25 minutes. It doesn’t matter what time it is. Working out the optimal duration of your work sessions will require some trial and error. Creating manageable sub-goals can boost your motivation and make the overall task seem more manageable. You’ll be more productive if you know you have to beat the clock.

Also, if you have trouble getting started, remind yourself that you’ll only have to focus on your work for 20 minutes at a time. This should put you in a much better frame of mind in which to get things done.

Reduce Outside Distractions

People who are easily distracted can benefit from working in short sprints. Reducing the number of potential interruptions in your work space is also helpful. You should turn off email alerts and check your inbox at a set time every day. Don’t bring your personal electronics like TVs or phones to the office. Do not eat at your desk.

Don’t waste your mealtime doing this when you could be relaxing instead.

In addition, having a specific place to work can help signal to your brain that it is time to get down to business.

If you take frequent breaks, work in short sprints, and eliminate distractions, you’ll find that increased productivity finds you even when it seems impossible. Soon you’ll be like that one friend who always seems to get everything done, leaving everyone else scratching their heads and wondering what they’re doing differently.

You’re Stopping You!

Journal, Learning, Positive Life, Self Discovery

“Have you ever had a great idea but didn’t follow through on it? If you identify as a “perfect” human being, you have. I’m not talking about anything extravagant. There’s nothing earth-shattering here. Simply said, it was an excellent concept that would have generated you more money. But you didn’t do anything about it. Speaking from experience here!

Full confession I’ve let many ideas remain as just that ideas. I’m the kind of person who thinks deeply and creatively. I’ve always had an ability to understand clients and come up with unique solutions for them. However, I must admit that I personally don’t feel I’m particularly successful. That’s due in large part  because I’m certainly not where I want it to be. 

The irony is that I have more fantastic ideas for growing my business. The issue is that I’ve not put many of them into action. 

So, how about you?

Have you have more ideas than you do actions? Why don’t you simply get started?

I became curious as to why I was operating the way I do, and began doing a lot of intraspection.

I started considering what it was that was preventing me from acting on ideas or plans that may result in substantial rewards?

These are some of the basic reasons I found.

1. A lack of an inspirational and compelling goal

The lack of a why is referred to as Purpose. Without a solid purpose, the urgent takes precedence. The build up of emails in the mailbox takes over. The call from a friend for help takes over. Inertia takes control.

We learn in physics that it takes more energy to break away from inertia. That energy is added by a strong aim. The energy that organizes your efforts and brings the most essential things to the forefront. You need an inspirational purpose to break free from the shackles of your existing routine.

2. Lack of a clear view

Consider yourself at a six-way stop in a fog so dense that you can’t see a single landmark. Even the traffic signs are incomprehensible to you. Which path will you take? Will you be confident in your choice of direction, or will you continue cautiously, expecting for the fog to clear before picking up the pace?

Everyone—at least everyone in business—wishes to go someplace. However, without a clear vision, it is impossible to see where you wish to go. And if you don’t see it, how will you act boldly and confidently toward it—whatever it is?

So, even if you have a strategy to get you…somewhere, you’re unlikely to carry it through. 

3. Unwilling to make sacrifices or put in the effort

You already have a lot on your plate, and anything additional you take on means something will have to be sacrificed. Sacrifice entails giving up something valuable in exchange for something even more valuable. That suggests there is something more precious to give up for. And you haven’t said what that “something” is. Or maybe you’re not convinced it’s worth it.

I began to place giving up leisure time, relaxing time, play time, or whatever in the same category. But it always comes down to sacrifice, and the key question is whether or not it’s worthwhile. (guilty as charged) There are moments when I feel I have something essential to do, but it isn’t important enough to get me to drop other “priorities”. 

4. Lack of faith

If you are positive that something will work, there is no danger, and you will most likely act. On the other hand, if you are uncertain—and most things are to some extent uncertain—you may ask if the risk is worthwhile.

Perhaps ‘it’ will work in someone else’s hands, but you don’t think it will work in yours. In other words, you lack faith in your ability to do the task, and the danger is too large.

Each of these concerns may be solved by having a strong purpose and inspirational goals to work toward. When these are powerful enough, they increase the potential benefit and shift the risk-return ratio in favor of action.

5th. Fear

It all boils down to fear at times, and this was the elephant in the room for me. You have a vision and a goal, and you believe the risks are manageable. But what happens if it doesn’t work out? What happens next? That’s what fear is. It’s not going to turn out the way you want it to. So, what will you be left with? Worse, not only will it not work out, but something negative will occur as a result of it.

6. All the other stuff

You simply have other commitments. What do you mean? Family or maybe a job. Thing is could some of it be eliminated or placed on hold?

It comes down to balancing what you have goin on with your purpose and aspirations.

You may need to refocus your priorities and rethink your alternatives in order to devote your available time and energy to pushing you on the right path.

So, how about you?

What’s holding you back? Any one of these six things, or a combination of them, can hold you back. It’s much simpler to confront and move forward after you have identified what is holding you back. 

People Don’t Always Want Your Advice!

Journal, Learning, Positive Life, Self Discovery

Yes, this can be consituted as “advice”! Now read and keep an open mind.

Frequently, throughout our encounters with family and friends, the subject of troubles that they are experiencing would undoubtedly come up. Inevitably, in our efforts to be helpful, we frequently respond by offering suggestions on how to resolve the problem.

The following are some of the reasons why this is not commonly recommended:

We make the assumption that we know what the problem is and neglect to be a good listener, this limits the amount of  information about the situation and the other person’s perspective.

Many of us fail to express empathy for the plight of the other person.

We are given ‘credit’ for providing the advice since the guidance is likely to be based on something that the adviser has done or something that others have done that has been effective. When someone does not succeed, or if they have tried it previously but failed, the inference is that it was not because the advise was bad, but rather because the person has not implemented it properly. The advisee is likely to feel foolish and inept as a result of this.

When we provide counsel, it can appear that we are speaking ‘down’ to the other person because we have assumed the position of ‘expert.’ We’re so anxious to chat and demonstrate our knowledge and ‘wisdom’ that we fail to interact with the other person on a ‘equal’ level with ourselves.

In the process of becoming an expert, we may forget that the other person has information that we may benefit from as well.

We are sending the message that we believe the individual will be unable to figure out the answer on his or her own. In this case, the other person feels disempowered.

We are dismissive of the person’s efforts, which we believe are insufficient. As a result, rather than assisting the individual in self-evaluation, we take on the role of evaluator of their actions.

Another option is to listen intently, avoiding offering any level of advice, UNLESS that advice is explicitely asked for. Instead, asking questions during conversation is more beneficial since it encourages the other person to think through the challenges that they are experiencing.