Do you know that "vacation feeling"?
Ah, I hear the sound of waves gently rolling into the shore. The sun warms my face, and my toes wiggle in the sand. For now my novel lies on my lap. And all I have to do is occupy myself until dinner is served. I can do whatever I want. I am living the simplified life . . . I’m on vacation.
Is vacation the only place to enjoy a simplified life? Yes and no. To simplify life the rest of the year is to create that same vacation feeling—relaxation, enjoyment, and ease. But not every vacation turns out to be that relaxing, as you know. It takes dreaming, planning, and action. And so does simplifying your life.
What Is Getting Organized and Simplifying Your Life?
People know that “getting organized” is a great way to save time and stress. But a desire to get there is often hindered by pressing duties and deadlines. Who really has time to get organized? After all, if we stopped everything we’re doing to get organized, wouldn’t that put us further behind? Not if you include simplifying your life as part of your daily plans.
Getting organized is like swatting mosquitoes on a summer day.
You know the little creatures are bothering you, but their buzzing around never gets so bad that you have to stop what you are doing. When I hear someone say, “I’ve got to get organized,” however, I know she is stressed and serious about changing. It’s like a mass of annoying mosquitoes have finally gotten to her, and she is ready to do something about it.
If too many "flies" are buzzing around your ears, you can get organized in one of two ways:
1. Organize and simplify “as you go” each day. For instance, straighten up the kitchen each night plus clean out one refrigerator shelf. In less than a week the whole refrigerator will be done.
2. Set aside time to accomplish a bigger project. When something like reorganizing a closet means you have to pull things apart, schedule a half-day to get the whole project done.
Will My Changes Make a Difference?
Whenever one person changes, other people around her should benefit. Some real life client examples may help illustrate how your changes may make a difference:
• After being married for four years with clutter everywhere, Lisa decided to change and wrote out a weekly chart just to get her laundry and cleaning done. When her house got cleaned up, her relatives began to praise her for the changes, and she began to enjoy her life at home for the first time.
• Dee Dee, a busy secretary in a large company, felt pulled in so many directions that she had chronic headaches. When she made one small change and consistently listed three priorities to accomplish at work each day, she started to get more things done. Her headaches subsided.
• When Chris, an experienced Bible study coordinator got a planner, she began to follow up on details and suggestions that came her way. In less than one year, the program doubled from 125 ladies to 250 because one person got a planner, started to plan ahead, and began to run her team like a leader.
Three Key Questions before Making Any Change
Once you determine what it is that you want to change, it’s easy to move that area into the limelight of your life and really begin to tackle it. Ask yourself three questions:
1. What is the desired outcome or goal in that area?
2. What are the next steps?
3. What is your motivation to change?
Once you have answers to the above three questions, you’re ready to simplify your life. The basis of determining what to change is really quite simple: keep what is working; decide to change what is frustrating. Start today.
This excerpt from Simplify Your Life: Get Organized and Stay that Way! is full of strategies and step by step systems to simplify the tough areas of life: time pressures, kids, clutter, and paper pileups. To get your autographed copy of Simplify Your Life: Get Organized and Stay that Way! go to www.OrganizingPro.com.
Marcia Ramsland is well known as "The Organizing Pro" for her practical skills and tips to manage busy lives. She is a speaker, author, and media guest expert appearing on TV, radio, and in national magazines for her popular books Simplify Your Life, Simplify Your Time, and Simplify Your Holidays (Thomas Nelson). Visit her website, www.organizingpro.com for free tips.
|
