Tweet

Simplify Your Life

Guest post by: Ann Ronan

Article Overview: What does simply simplifying mean to you? How can you focus on what you actually want and need to be happy and secure?

Simplify Your Life

I recently returned from a 3 week vacation in Ireland and Scotland. During that time, I changed the ordinary flow of my days. I felt like I had taken charge of my life again. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify were the words that kept ringing in my head. I checked email only once a week in order to follow an important project I'm involved in. I ignored clocks and ate when I was hungry and slept when I was tired. The result? I came back rested, calm and a few pounds lighter (despite the daily Guinness and whiskey!). What does simply simplifying mean to you? How can you focus on what you actually want and need to be happy and secure? I've always wanted to live in a small town where I could walk to get most of the services I need -and now I am here and loving it. I walk to get groceries, to the farmers market, to my hairdresser and dentist and to several great restaurants. I combine car trips so I'm rarely on the road more than 1 day every 2-3 weeks.

Sometimes small changes in the way you spend your time and money are enough to simplify your life to your greatest satisfaction. Other times, it requires a bigger move like relocating.

To simplify your life, you'll probably need to take a look at your thoughts about money. I'm all for having plenty to do the things that delight your heart along with enough to save and share with your spiritual community and/or charities. But exactly how much is enough for you? It's going to vary a lot depending on what part of the country you live in, what your hobbies are, how many children you have....well you get the picture.

When I took stock of what I really needed to be happy while living a simplified life, I was pleasantly surprised. It's quite doable and I've been able to create work that supports a lifestyle I love. What is of high value to me is time to pay attention to my "inner life" because I firmly believe that our inner life creates our outer life. Without quiet time, my life feels chaotic. Other high values for me are spending time with people I love and enjoy, reading, learning, and traveling. That's about all I need!

So take some time today to list out what would make you happiest. What would an immensely satisfying life look like for you? Chances are you'll be wanting to simplify, simplify, simplify too!

Would love to read your thoughts on this blog so go ahead and leave a comment here about how you plan to simplify your life or how you've already done so.

Related Articles
  5 ways to pep your team’s work-life balance
  7 Insider Secrets For Killer Sales Presenting
  Not Getting All The Lease Equipment Financing For Business You Need ? Financing Loans Made Simple !
  How to Simplify Your Life
  Are You Too Smart to Succeed
  Successful People Develop Their Natural Talents
  Specialize, Simplify and Systematize to Grow Your Business and Income the Easy Way
  Struggling For A Healthy Balance In Your Life?
  CONTROLLING STRESS
  Slow Down and Live the Life You Love
  5 Ways to Simplify Your Financial Life
  Make the Most of 2009
  Selling To Busy Execs? Speak A Visual Language
  Does Economic Recession mean Career Vision Recession?
  Get In a Rut
  Essential Tips for Web Application Development Success
  17 Ideas You Can Steal to Grow Your Business Without Spending Money.
  Medical Expense FSA - What Is It?
  How To Experience More Abundance Naturally.
  Writing Emails to Your Customers - 6 Important Tips

Article Tags: clutter, simplify, time management, your life



Related Forum Posts
The Second Life Platform - Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.
Re: The Second Life Platform - [quote="JBunion":fhe23fsu]Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.[/quote:fhe23fsu] Hi JBunion, I've heard about the site. So are you currently a member? And more importantly, have you tried to open a store front in that virtual world?
Re: Charge what you're worth - [quote="Tami Szabo":292ze3jd]People will pay you what you ask. Very few will ever up the price. You are the one who decided what you are worth. The key is that we believe our services are worth the price we are asking.[/quote:292ze3jd] Hi Tami, You're absolutely right. In "Think and Grow Rich", Jessie B. Rittenhouse says "For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask, But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task. I worked for a menial's hire Only to learn, dismayed , That any wage I had asked of Life, Life would have willingly paid" (Napoleon Hill 35). I think the same can be said when setting prices on eBay or Craigslist, especially when people are trying to haggle you.
Re: Favorite Christmas movies - [quote="OmnivoreInk":1rxsgr0t]I do have to say I've never liked[i:1rxsgr0t] It's A Wonderful Life[/i:1rxsgr0t]. He spends all his life having his hopes and dreams shattered, feeling miserable, and its only at the end of his life that he can look back and realize how many friends he has, etc. But that doesn't change the fact that up until that point he was miserable![/quote:1rxsgr0t] I love the sentimentality around watching that movie with your Mom! Chtistmas is made up of all those sentimental things. "It's A Wonderful Life" is all about perspective, much in the same way that Scrooge is 'realigned' in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" - which I listen to on CD every year (sometimes twice!) Happy Christmas Everyone! Regards Martin
Second Life - Real $? - hi Mayra - have you actually made money from Second Life? Is it something can actually do as a business?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Counselling - Who Needs It?

LEARNING TO HAVE FUN – EVERYDAY!

Selling with Humor (and a Sorry Butt)

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.