Week One: Clutter. This week commit to clearing out 10 items that bug you. That junk mail on your desk, in the wastebasket; those old magazines on the coffee table? Trash 'em! The plant that's almost dead in your office? Water it or trash it. Don't worry about it, don't debate, just deal with these things! In a quick 10 minutes, sweep through your home or office and clean out, throw out, put away or fix 10 small annoyances and make your environment a cleaner, healthier place. You deserve the best. Don't put up with clutter!
Week Two: Tolerations. Tolerations are slightly different than clutter, although they overlap. Tolerations are things like putting up with a dirty carpet, a car that needs repairs, or a favorite shirt you can't wear because it's missing a button. Choose 10 items, list them, and make a commitment to get them fixed or replaced. You may not resolve them on all in one day, but make a commitment each day to take steps so you never have to tolerate these 10 items again. Clutter and Tolerations undermine our enthusiasm, waste our time, they create doubt and they discourage us. Get rid of 'em!
Week Three: Tasks and Errands. If your life is stressed and hectic, my bet is that you're running errands and doing things you don't need to do. Commit time to identify 10 tasks you will stop doing! Combine errands, or delegate them to someone else. Simplify your wardrobe, take a bag-lunch and avoid the rush to the cafeteria. Renting a video requires TWO TRIPS! Read a book or play with the kids instead. Hire a housekeeper. Most of these things are not "rocket science", they are simple things we ignore because they are so small. But they catch up with us and destroy the quality of our lives. Commit time to identifying and eliminating 10 time wasters!
Week Four: Update Your Rolodex! All of us have relationships and "friendships" that no longer serve us. And, on the other hand, if you don't have a great doctor, a mechanic you trust, an insurance agent and other experts you can call when you need them, you are not prepared for the inevitable surprises of life. Commit time to run through your address book and remove obsolete or unneeded entries. Clean 'em out! Then, get the phone book and jot down the names and phone numbers of 10 experts for your "support staff". If appropriate, schedule a meeting to get acquainted. Simplify your life - have your team in place before you need them!
Week Five: Saying, "NO!" Most of the previous items are about getting rid of the self-talk that we "should keep that", or "I should run that errand." I call it the Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda’s! Most of the complications in life come from thinking we "should" do things that make no sense! If you don't want to, or it seems stressful or unnecessary, Just Say NO! Before you can say "YES!" to your own life, you have to say "NO!" to other people's ideas of how you "should" live. If you want to say "YES!" to art, music, love, laughter, and joy, you must first say "NO!" to a thousand things someone, somewhere thinks you "should" do. Make sure you say "NO!" at least 10 times a day this week, including to your own negative thoughts! It could change your life!
And A BONUS: Say YES! To peace and quiet. Whether you prefer to call it mediation, prayer, quiet time, or whatever, the principle is to nurture and renew yourself with 10 minutes of peace and quiet every day. Get up a few minutes early and walk slowly around the block. Read for 10 minutes after the kids are in bed. Write in a journal or sip a cup of tea. If you are serious about simplifying your life, slow down and be quiet for 10 minutes at least once a day. You deserve it!
More questions about the coach? E-mail rodger@rodgerblaker.com
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