Living a Life of Voluntary Simplicity

Guest post by: David Bohl
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
Why Time Management Is Overrated - By David Bohl

We've all heard of "simple living," and we see the magazines and the news articles and the web sites. I often advocate what I call "voluntary simplicity," by which I mean determining what's important to you and designing a life in support of your values and beliefs.

Many people, when they think of simplicity, think I'm suggesting that they sell everything and become hermits in South Dakota.

That is not at all what I mean. What I really mean is that many of us lose sight of what's important to us, and collect a great many things, people, and situations that have nothing to do with what we really believe in and want from our lives.

Simplicity can be a pretty complicated business. The Simple Living Network lists ten different kinds of simplicity. Who knew simply living could be so complex?

Among the options offered by SLN in "Choiceful Simplicity," which consists of choosing our path through life consciously, deliberately, and of our own accord.

This type of simplicity comes closest to expressing what I mean by voluntary simplicity.

My main theme is that we should spend time with ourselves and really know what is important to us, what we value, what we want, and what we believe. This may take a great deal of time over several sessions of contemplation.

Once we know what we would like to have in our lives - what's important to us - then we can begin to look at what we do have in our lives.

Most people think of objects at this point, and certainly "too much stuff" can be a problem, but it's also important to look at the people in our lives and the obligations we have taken on.

There may be people in our lives who simply are not helping us reach our goals, who are not in line with what we believe. Sometimes, as with family members, we don't have a choice about keeping these people in our lives, but we certainly have a choice about how much time we spend with them and how we let them influence us.

We may also have organizations, including our jobs, that are not in line with what we really want. We can change jobs, or we can find a way to make that job work. We can resign from boards and leave groups and find other groups that fit with what we believe.

The key to voluntary simplicity is not giving things up, but finding the people, places, things and situations that work best with our lives. Simplicity, when it's successful in your life, does not cause a feeling of deprivation, but a feeling of exhilaration.

Finding true, voluntary simplicity in your life can only bring more fulfillment and joy.

To get started with this idea of voluntary simplicity,

• Schedule some time to think about what you really believe and want

• Eliminate one "thing" (or person or situation) from your life

• Start mapping out what a life of voluntary simplicity would look like to you

IRS Chases Taxpayers With Overseas Accounts

Simplicity & Dignity

Simple Sales - Medical Sales Training

Living The Life You Have

5.10 Social protection: Working Out of Poverty

The Top 10 Signatures of a Simple Life

KYSS Chaos Goodbye: How to Keep Your Strategies Simple and Gain More Time to Enjoy Your Riches in Niches!

Lesson #1: Embrace Your Inner Child

Building a Practice On Purpose Series Part #2 - When Life Purpose is About More than What You Do

How Do you Think

Are You Living the Life You Want and Deserve?

Do I Always Have To Know Why?

Implementing a Results Only Work Environment

Lesson #1: Take Your Cue from the Customer

Moments of Professional Happiness

A Revolution in Resolutions

A Question of Balance

Set Boundaries Early

Who Is Responsible?

Home > Work-Life > David Bohl > Living a Life of Voluntary Simplicity > Google +

Free PDF Download
Why Time Management Is Overrated - By David Bohl

About the Author: David Bohl

RSS for David's articles - Visit David's website
David B. Bohl has been on a truly unique journey. Prior to launching his coaching practice, David gained his life’s experience and knowledge as an entrepreneur, business owner, venture capital investor, and philanthropic patron, as well as from the hierarchical world of a global investment bank. Upon "succeeding" at each stage in his professional life, David slowly began to realize that a change was in order. It seemed that instead of reveling in the joys of life, he, like most of us, had bought into a seemingly impossible mandate - a relentless strive to get further in life at almost any cost. He divested himself of all of his business holdings and began his pursuit of a more enjoyable and rewarding life. In time, David established REFLECTIONS Coaching LLC, where he now serves as a personal coach, lifestyle mentor, educator, and author. To learn more about this step-by-step strategy for Living YOUR Life YOUR way, and to sign up for his 9 FREE Tips for Finding Happiness in a Fast-Paced World, free teleseminars, free Special Report, free bi-monthly ezine and more, go to: http://www.SlowDownFAST.com
Click here to visit David's website.

More from David Bohl
Uncovering Your Passion
The Truth About Information Overload
7 Ways You Can Start Balancing Your Life
Time is Money Strategic Lifestyle Planning and Return on Investment
Life Balance for HomeBased Business Owners

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Living a Life of Voluntary Simplicity

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: