Happiness Information

Simplify - and Be Happy


People's lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do lists, errands, things we should do, things we could do, duties and obligations. No surprise then, that many of us feel we barely have time to do the things we have to do (or think we have to do), let alone spare time for fitting in anything extra.

Why do we insist on keeping ourselves so busy? We have trained ourselves to believe that to be busy improves our chances of success in this world. The "no pain, no gain" mentality. Also, our minds love to be active. For many high achieving types, taking "mental time out" is tantamount to laziness!

Being busy is not necessarily a bad thing - often we accomplish a lot in our busy lives. But when we get to a point where the level of activity is running our lives, it's time to take some action! Ask yourself:

Why do I choose to take on all the things I do?

Do I really understand what is driving these choices?

What are the things I can't do that I would like to, because I am too busy? - Enter the simplification process. It sounds deceptively easy but the reality is usually different. It's hard to let go of things that you have invested time, money and emotions into.

I suggest people look at 3 areas:

Firstly, stop doing things - just stop

Pick 2 or 3 activities (like projects, committee memberships or DIY home activities) and decide not to do them. That's the first big step.

Second, examine all the great ideas you have in your head

The things you keep thinking about that take up mental space like:

- financial goals that have yet to come true

- becoming a size ten

- winning the lottery

You've done OK in your life without those things so far, and chances are that you'll continue to survive. Give them up.

Third, reduce or eliminate your errands

These sneaky timewasters chew up a lot of physical and mental energy. If you haven't' done them, you are thinking about doing them, and once they are done, you often need to repeat them from month to month! With the technology around today, there are very few errands that need to take up time. Bill paying, shopping, buying presents - all these things can be done in a fraction of your time on the internet, or can be outsourced.

The reality is if we have nothing better to do, we'll keep doing all those things we normally do - the things that keep us busy. Simplify your life and make time to find those better things to do. Guaranteed, you'll enjoy it.

Megan Tough - published writer, coach, facilitator and speaker - works with people to create outstandingly satisfying and truly successful professional lives. Make more money - have more fun! To learn more and to sign up for more FREE tips and articles like these, visit http://www.megantough.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Sify

Why money can't necessarily buy happiness...
Sify, India - 10 hours ago
The bottom-line is that money can't buy you happiness. That is something we probably knew all along. What is more interesting is why money can't buy ...


VoIP Providers: Providing The Happiness of Talking Without Any Frowns
TMC Net, CT - 5 hours ago
This is a technology which has changed the way in which people talk with each other and also the feelings which are created in the human mind while making a ...


Our pursuit of happiness
Chicago Tribune, United States - Oct 5, 2008
Researchers like Diener are trying to convey what philosophers have long written: True happiness lies in the pursuit of deeply held goals, not in fleeting ...


Charity is laudable, but it can't provide health care for all
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 5 hours ago
Sutherland Institute parrot the words of our founders, conceding that all people have a right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. ...
Charity not enough Salt Lake Tribune
all 2 news articles


The secrets of happiness
Tehran Times, Iran - Oct 4, 2008
There's good news in these findings: Given the right disposition, in the face of difficulty, people can still find renewed happiness. What makes for a happy ...


Metro

Is 'F*** It' therapy the key to happiness?
Metro, UK - 4 hours ago
by LISA SCOTT - Monday, October 6, 2008 'F*** it' says John Parkin, waving his arms around. 'F*** it, f*** it, f*** it.' It's quite an outburst, ...


Tilghman not surprised by income, happiness survey results
Princeton University The Daily Princetonian,  United States - 8 hours ago
Creating a happiness campaign could alleviate student dissatisfaction with campus life, said U-Councilor Maria Salciccioli ’09, who is also a blogger for ...


Eat your way to happiness
Yakima Herald-Republic, WA - Oct 4, 2008
by SPENCER HATTON The death-spiral of the stock market these past few weeks has done wonders for the makers of Tums. Acid indigestion is now a part of the ...


Little happiness in Haiti
MSNBC - Oct 4, 2008
By Mara Schiavocampo, NBC Nightly News digital correspondent Last week I was in Haiti covering the aftermath of four fierce storms that slammed the island ...


Examiner.com

19 Ways to Happiness, Tip #1
Examiner.com - Oct 5, 2008
So for your excitement and pleasure (and hopefully your path to happiness) we now have our first installment of "19 Ways to Happiness". ...

Happiness - Google News

home | site map
Web Site Development - Search Engine Marketing: Dream Team Media