In our daily lives, we
often rush through tasks, trying to get them done as soon as possible, trying
to finish as much as we can each day, and speeding along in our cars to our
next destination, rushing to do what we need to do there, and then leaving so
that we can speed to our next destination. But have you think about this is
your final destination? You will get all the relaxation after doing thins or
this is most achievable task in our life to fulfill? And the answer is no.
Unfortunately, it’s
often not until we get to our final destination that we realize what madness
this all is.
At the end of the day,
we’re often exhausted and stressed out from doing all those things of the day.
We don’t have time for what’s important to us, for what we really want to be
doing, for spending time with loved ones, for doing things we’re passionate
about.
And yet, it doesn’t
have to be that way. It’s possible to live a simpler life, one where you enjoy
each activity, where you are present in everything (or most things) you do,
where you are content rather than rushing to finish things.
I request you to
please let’s take a look at some suggestions for living a simple, peaceful,
content life:
- What’s important? First, take a step back and think about what’s
important to you. What do you really want to be doing, who do you want to
spend your time with, what do you want to accomplish with your work? Make
a short list of 4-5 things for your life, 4-5 people you want to spend
time with, 4-5 things you’d like to accomplish at work.
- Examine your commitments. A big part of the problem is that our lives are way
too full. We can’t possibly do everything we have committed to doing, and
we certainly can’t enjoy it if we’re trying to do everything. Accept that
you can’t do everything, know that you want to do what’s important to you,
and try to eliminate the commitments that aren’t as important.
- Do less each day. Don’t fill your day up with things to do. You will
end up rushing to do them all. If you normally try to do 7-10 things, do 3
important ones instead .This will give you time to do what you need to do,
and not rush.
- Leave space between tasks or
appointments. Another mistake is trying to
schedule things back-to-back. This leaves no cushion in case things take
longer than we planned (which they always do), and it also gives us a
feeling of being rushed and stressed throughout the day. Instead, leave a
good-sized gap between your appointments or tasks, allowing you to focus
more on each one, and have a transition time between them.
- Eliminate as much as possible
from your to-do list. You can’t
do everything on your to-do list. Even if you could, more things will come
up. As much as you can, simplify your to-do list down to the essentials.
This allows you to rush less and focus more on what’s important.
- Now, slow down and enjoy every
task. Read it twice. Whatever
you’re doing, whether it’s a work task or taking a shower or brushing your
teeth or cooking dinner or driving to work, slow down. Try to enjoy
whatever you’re doing. Try to pay attention, instead of thinking about
other things. Be in the moment. This isn’t easy, as you will often forget.
But find a way to remind yourself. Unless the task involves actual pain,
there isn’t anything that can’t be enjoyable if you give it the proper
attention.
- Single-task. This is kind of a mantra of mine, as I talk about how to
single-task all the time. But it’s an important point for
me, and for this article. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.
- Eat slower. This is just a more specific application of Tip #6,
but it’s something we do every day, so it deserves special attention.
- Drive slower. Another application of the same principle, driving is
something we do that’s often mindless and rushed. Instead, slow down and
enjoy the journey.
- Eliminate stress. Find the stressors in your life, and find ways to
eliminate them.
- How and why to slow down. This is such an important point, that I’m going to
point you to two other articles on this: here and here.
- Create time for solitude. In addition to slowing down and enjoying the tasks we
do, and doing less of them, it’s also important to just have some time to you.
Read this article for
more.
- Do nothing. Sometimes, it’s good to forget about doing things,
and do nothing. Here’s more.
- Sprinkle simple pleasures
throughout your day. Knowing
what your simple pleasures are, and putting a few of them in each day, can
go a long way to making life more enjoyable.
- Practice being present. You can practice being in the moment at any time
during the day.
- Find inspirations. Learn from the best of the things, person in your
life.
- Make frugality an enjoyable
thing too. Instead of delayed
gratification, try enjoying
life now while saving for later.
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