Less Equals More

I recently had a meeting with a support person in my company, and he admitted he is struggling with time management. I said, welcome to the world of information overload!  Now, let's talk about a solution.

There has been an alarming trend the last five years of people collapsing under the weight of too many burdens. Are you allowing the “busy-ness” of the world to control your life? And, if so, are you willing to give up a few things in your lifestyle to have more peace and a balanced life?

I want to encourage you to rethink what is the most important thing to you in your everyday life. Is it time with the family? Walking Johnny to the bus stop? Is it your spouse with whom you rarely get to spend 30 minutes of quality time?

These are some of the questions I ask my clients on a weekly basis,

Recently I made a decision to give up my "crackberry," and instantly felt liberated. With one simple change, I was no longer shackled to the tyranny of the urgent!  I still have not missed the continuous interruptions four months later; nor have I missed the conveniences.

Not long after freeing myself from the device, I was driving home and needed a phone number. So I parked, walked into a business and asked for a phone book (remember those?) and then talked to a couple of gentlemen in the store. We had a wonderful conversation about busy-ness and doing business the old-fashioned way. What a novelty.

This is the essence of less equals more, and the line between our needs and our desires. Owning fewer material things such as boats, motorcycles and other “toys” allows us to spend more precious time with family, to take hikes with friends, spouses or significant others, or to simply take a break in the middle of the work day to step outside and look at the world around us.

What are you willing to change in your life today to simplify? It's a tough question, and even harder to follow through on. But if you're willing to try, you just may say thanks later.  An old proverb says, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel."

Here are a few steps that will help you prioritize and balance your lives.

1.    Learn to say NO.

Living life to the fullest can be as simple as learning to just say no to the things in our lives that are draining us of energy and time. 

2.    Accountability partners.

Find two people with whom you can meet once a week in person or by phone who will hold you accountable to the decisions you make in balancing your life.

3.    Take mental and physical weekly vacations.

Take a mental break 10 minutes every day away from your computer and your desk, and, in your mind, climb that mountain, cycle or kayak into pristine surroundings.

For physical vacations, plan one half day or day trip each week (with the kids, if you have them). It doesn't have to be expensive. You can walk or bike local trails, take a nature hike, or go to the local zoo. The point is to get away as a family or couple and do something that is unrelated to work.

4.    Morning quiet time.

This is one of the most critical habits to learn. Spend an hour of quiet time each morning before launching into your day.

It takes 21 days for a disciplined person to make a change; it takes most of us 60 to 90 days. So don't wait. Procrastination is like a disease, things will not get better if you wait longer. And remember balance equals freedom. 

(Photo credit: Susánica Tam; C.C. 2.5)

Read more from Eric Swenson on staying positive.

Eric Swenson is a keynote speaker and executive coach. For more information, please visit www.ericswenson.org.