10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

The first week of August is Simplify Your Life week. Considering I was born the first week of August, I feel it is my destiny to help others simplify their life. Okay, okay. Destiny is a strong word. Perhaps it’s just a freak coincidence that I write a work life balance blog and was born during Simplify Your Life week. Either way, I decided today I would share ten ways to simplify your life.

Ten Ways to Simplify Your Life

1. Prioritize

Since we’re all limited on the amount of time we have, even Bill Gates only gets 24 hours each day, it’s important to prioritize how you spend it. One way to do this is to manage your time as you would your money. Another way to prioritize is to really think about how you spend your time and decide if there are things you do because you feel you “have to” instead of “want to.” Then do what you can to eliminate as many “have to’s” as you can.

2. Organize

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit I’m super anal about organization. Therefore, this point is laden with a strong bias! However, I don’t exaggerate when I say I couldn’t function if I weren’t organized. And organization for me is not just having a place for everything, but only keeping those items we really need. Frankly, the older I get, the more I value space than things. I can’t stand an overstuffed dresser, crammed closet or cluttered drawer. So when I’m deciding whether I really need that sweater, gadget or pair of shoes, I often conclude that I want the space instead.

3. Maximize

Maximize the technology that is available to you to simplify your life. Whether it’s creating email filters, using a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) of your choice like the Palm Pilot I rely on, maintaining an online calendar, paying bills online or recording your favorite TV shows to watch later without the commercials, any and all of these things will help simplify your life.

4. Minimize

Minimize the amount of time you spend doing chores. If resources permit, this could include hiring a house cleaner, paying a neighborhood kid to cut your lawn or, one of my personal favorites, paying the car wash people to clean your car inside and out. It’s worth every penny not to have to wipe off the sticky seats and vacuum up the crumbs crammed in every crevice.

If you’re unable to hire people to minimize the time you spend on chores, don’t overlook those dependents you have hanging around! I’m a firm believer that household chores teach kids responsibility. Not to mention, what is a chore for you, can be fun for them!

Finally, you may want to consider relaxing your definition of clean. Dust bunnies make cute pets.

5. Socialize

Since we’re all so busy, the natural tendency is to spend less time with friends and family. While this may free up some time in your schedule, it does not simplify your life. It merely reduces the quality of your life. So I urge you all never to become too busy for friends. From personal experience, I can tell you it hurts you and them.

For five more ways to Simplify Your Life, click on page 2.