Simple Living Simplified: 10 Things You Can Do Today to Simplify Your Life

Every Wednesday is Simplicity Day on Zen Habits.

Simplifying can sometimes be overwhelming. The amount of stuff you have in your life and the amount of things you have to do can be too big a mountain to tackle.

But you don’t have to simplify it all at once. Do one thing at a time, and take small steps. You’ll get there, and have fun doing it.

In fact, you can do little but important things today to start living the simple life.
I was criticized a few weeks ago when I published the Simple Living Manifesto: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life, because many people felt the list was too long. I heard this point, and this post is my response: just the 10 most important things.

And these are not 10 difficult things, but 10 simple things that you can do today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. Today. Choose one and do it today. Tomorrow, choose another.

If you do these 10 things, you’ll have made great strides with little effort.

1. Make a short list. Take out a sheet of paper and fold it into a small square, perhaps 3×5 inches. Or take out an index card. Now make a short list of the 4-5 most important things in your life. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What 4-5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.

2. Drop 1 commitment. Think about all the things in your life that you’re committed to doing, and try to find one that you dread doing. Something that takes up time but doesn’t give you much value. Perhaps you’re on a team, or coaching something, or on a board or committee, or whatever. Something that you do each day or week or month that you don’t really want to do. Now take action today to drop that commitment. Call someone, send an email, telling the appropriate person or people that you just don’t have the time. You will feel relief. I’d recommend dropping all commitments that don’t contribute to your short list (from Item #1), but for today, just drop 1 commitment.

3. Purge a drawer. Or a shelf, or a countertop, or a corner of a room. Not an entire room or even an entire closet. Just one small area. You can use that small area as your base of simplicity, and then expand from there. Here’s how to purge: 1) empty everything from the drawer or shelf or corner into a pile. 2) From this pile, pick out only the most important things, the stuff you use and love. 3) Get rid of the rest. Right now. Trash it, or put it in your car to give away or donate. 4) Put the stuff you love and use back, in a neat and orderly manner.

4. Set limits. Read Haiku Productivity for more. Basically, you set limits for things you do regularly: email, RSS posts, tasks, feeds, items in your life, etc. And try to stick with the limits. Today, all you have to do is set limits for a few things in your life. Tomorrow, try to stick with them.

5. Simplify your to-do list. Take a look at your to-do list. If it’s more than 10 items long, you can probably simplify it a bit. Try to find at least a few items that can be eliminated, delegated, automated, outsourced, or ignored. Shorten the list. This is a good habit to do once a week.

6. Free up time. Simplifying your life in general is a way to free up time to do the stuff you want to do. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find time to even think about how to simplify your life. If that’s the case, free up at least 30 minutes a day for thinking about simplifying. Or alternatively, free up a weekend and think about it then. How can you free up 30 minutes a day? Just a few ideas: wake earlier, watch less TV, eat lunch at your desk, take a walk for lunch, disconnect from the Internet, do email only once today, shut off your phones, do 1 less thing each day.

7. Clear your desk. I can personally attest to the amazing feeling that a clean desk can give you. It’s such a simple thing to do, and yet it does so much for you. If your desk is covered with papers and notes and gadgets and office supplies, you might not be able to get this done today. But here are the basic steps: 1) Clear everything off your desk and put it in a pile (either in your inbox or on the floor). 2) Process the pile from top to bottom, one item at a time. Do not defer decisions on any item — deal with them immediately and quickly. 3) For each item, either file it immediately, route it to someone else, trash it, or note it on your to-do list (and put it in an “action” folder). If it’s a gadget or office supply, find a place for it in your desk drawers (or get rid of it). 4) Repeat until your pile is empty and your desk is clear. Be sure to get rid of any knick knacks. Your desk should have your computer, your inbox, perhaps a notepad, and maybe a family photo (but not many). Ahh, a clear desk! 5) From now on, put everything in your inbox, and at least once a day, process it in the same way as above.

8. Clear out your email inbox. This has the same psychological effect as a clear desk. Is your email inbox always full of read and unread messages? That’s because you’re delaying decisions on your emails. If you have 50, let’s say, or fewer emails in your inbox, you can process them all today. If you have hundreds, you should put them in a temporary folder and get to them one chunk at a time (do 20 per day or something). Here’s how you process your inbox to empty — including emails already in your inbox, and all future incoming emails: 1) process them top to bottom, one at a time, deciding and disposing of each one immediately. 2) Your choices are to delete, archive, respond immediately (and archive or delete), forward (and archive or delete), or mark it with a star (or something like that) and note it on your to-do list to respond to later (and archive). 3) Process each email like that until the inbox is empty. 4) Each time you check your email, process to empty. Ahh, an empty inbox!

9. Move slower. We rush through the day, from one task to another, from one appointment to another, until we collapse on the couch, exhausted, at the end of the day. Instead, simplify your life by doing less (see Items 1, 4 and 5) and doing them more slowly. Eat slower, drive slower, walk slower, shower slower, work slower. Be more deliberate. Be present. This isn’t something you’re going to master today, but you can start practicing today.

10. Single-task. Instead of multi-tasking, do one thing at a time. Remove all distractions, resist any urge to check email or do some other habitual task like that while you’re doing the task at hand. Stick to that one task, until you’re done. It’ll make a huge difference in both your stress level and your productivity.

If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

See also:

Simple Living Simplified: 10 Things You Can Do Today to Simplify Your Life

Photo by striatic

Every Wednesday is Simplicity Day on Zen Habits.

Simplifying can sometimes be overwhelming. The amount of stuff you have in your life and the amount of things you have to do can be too big a mountain to tackle.

But you don’t have to simplify it all at once. Do one thing at a time, and take small steps. You’ll get there, and have fun doing it.

And these are not 10 difficult things, but 10 simple things that you can do today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. Today. Choose one and do it today. Tomorrow, choose another.

If you do these 10 things, you’ll have made great strides with little effort.

If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

See also:

Posted on 26 September 2007 in Simplicity |
Digg |
Del.icio.us |
Stumble |
Print

Comments (47)

Abhijit Says:

September 26th, 2007, 6:05 am

One thing that my dad taught me about simplicity -

“FIRST DO THE THING YOU DREAD MOST”

I’ve generally found this to work (there are exceptions, of course). It’s amazing how your day seems to get better with every task of seemingly lower difficulty/discomfort levels is accomplished.

Perhaps its not something that might work for everyone, but still something to contemplate. Just my $0.02!

-Abhijit

Spike Says:

September 26th, 2007, 6:56 am

I agree about the above comment. I find it difficult to concentrate on anything else if I have something I’m not looking forward to taking up all my mental energy. It’s like a big weight lifted off me when I do it and put it behind me. That’s why whenever I have interviews etc I always tell myself that by 1PM or whenever it ends it will all be behind me and I can look forward to everything else again.

Related to commitments, I also suggest people only commit to one habit at a time to build up/break. It’s much harder to juggle your progress on a bunch of habits than it is to focus on one.

SpiKe
Organize IT

Mike St. Pierre Says:

September 26th, 2007, 7:42 am

Leo, keep writing about simplicity- we need more of it in daily life! In response to commenters, Tracy’s “Eat that Frog” is a helpful resource.

MSP

Vik Dulat - Making Money the Easy Way Says:

September 26th, 2007, 9:56 am

This blog is amazing!!…Keep up the great work!!!…I am hooked :)

Michael DeMeglio Says:

September 26th, 2007, 10:26 am

I love this site. If I knew how, I would modify everyone’s browser so their default home page was this site.

I wish everyone would slow down a little, especially driving to work in the morning. 85mph on a congested highway just to get to your cube and read senseless emails before going to that 9:30 meeting about nothing - come on. Is this really what we were meant to do on this planet?

If this is what it means to be a knowledge worker, I’d rather work with my hands.

Stop, breathe, repeat.

rachael Says:

September 26th, 2007, 11:41 am

#8- oh how I love a clean inbox- but for a few years now I have been using gmail (google’s e-mail)- and while I love many things about it and all I hear about it from other people is praise- it does not have folders! So therefor EVERYTHING is in your inbox. It has a label system which helps IMMENSELY when searching for something, but I just can’t ever seem to get that empty inbox feeling. I am hoping when they get out of the forever “beta” stage they will have a folder AND label option.

Cidinho Says:

September 26th, 2007, 12:15 pm

I agree with the 7, but not with the 8.
Cleaning your desk is amazing, and having it organized for whenever you want to work is even more.

Now, as for my inbox, I prefer letting it full, as I feel unimportant otherwise.

Serena Says:

September 26th, 2007, 12:37 pm

I’ve been working on singletasking and it’s actually really hard to focus on that. We’re so used to the idea that time is ‘wasted’ if I’m ‘only eating’.

@rachel:
Hey you can just archive all your messages and then they’ll still have the labels and you can still find them and your inbox will be empty. Archiving messages in gmail doesn’t delete them - that’s the power of it.

chris Says:

September 26th, 2007, 12:42 pm

“Eat slower, drive slower, walk slower, shower slower, work slower.”

I don’t recommend walking slower, if you actually want to get a decent workout. New Yorkers are the most frequent and fastest walkers in the country, and they have one of the lowest rates of obesity and highest average lifespans:

http://nymag.com/news/features/35815/

Andrea Wren Says:

September 26th, 2007, 13:13 pm

Great post! And had to mention it on my own blog! I always like to simplify, and over the years have succeeded in a number of simpler ways of living (much work to do yet though!), but one of my main ’simplifiers’ is cutting down on choice!

If I need to buy something new, I do not shop for it all over the net, the supermarket, and the specialist stores, looking for the ‘best bargain’. Instead I just choose maybe two or three merchandisers to compare (or often just go to one place that’s generally reliable for a good deal) and keep my choices limited - it’s so much less stressful!

I consider the time and energy saved worth the possible extra cash I may have forked out, but as I’ll never know, I won’t lose any sleep over it!

Daiko Says:

September 26th, 2007, 13:15 pm

Rachael:

Thanks for the comment about gmail. Somehow I had missed the label function, but now that I know about it I was able to clear my inbox: I’m treating the labels as if they were folders. Now with a label for each “folder” I might need I can apply the label and archive the email. I use the stars to indicate items that need further action from me.

Adam Says:

September 26th, 2007, 14:14 pm

In anticipation of moving out of our apartment, my wife and I just canceled cable TV/Internet and unplugged the Playstation. It’s been a week and I haven’t missed it for a minute. All those things I never had time for like cleaning and reading and cooking have found a place in my day, and with time to spare. I do work a lot, but the three hours I have in the evening are too valuable to waste watching reruns.
That’s what people rush around for, so they can hurry home and plop on the couch. We think we’re busy because we fill our days with distraction.

Maria Says:

September 26th, 2007, 14:18 pm

I think for some people the problem is that we don’t know what the meaning and purpose of simplyfing your life is. Okay, we know it’s meant to make your life easier and more fulfilling but what does this REALLY mean? and is there ever an end to simplyfing your life or are we just supposed to get rid of everything except for food and our loved ones? and if so than in the name of what? i just don’t really get it.

vanderleun Says:

September 26th, 2007, 14:50 pm

“1. Make a short list. ”

You might want to glance at
“The Not-Insane To-Do List”

http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/005701.php

Leo Says:

September 26th, 2007, 15:00 pm

@Maria: Great question, and though I’ve touched on it before, maybe I should write more about it. In brief, though, here’s my answer:

You simplify IF your life is too complicated. If you realize you have too much stuff, that you are too busy and too stressed and you have too much going on, and you don’t have time to do the things you want.

Simplifying is a way to say, “Hold on. I want to live a saner, more peaceful, more relaxed, more enjoyable life.” It’s a way of designing your life to be what you want it to be.

The main purpose of simplifying: to free up your time so that you can do what you love to do, to make room for the things that are important to you.

If you love spending time with your loved ones, but don’t because of too many commitments, simplify your commitments so you can spend time with them. If you want to relax and read or take a long hot bath, but can’t find the time, simplify. If your house is cluttered and it stresses you out, simplify.

How do you know when you’re done? That’s a personal question. I don’t really feel like I’ll ever be done. I enjoy the process, and look at it as a journey, not a destination. My life is much simpler now than it once was, but I can always find ways to simplify, pockets of clutter that have built up that I can declutter, commitments that build up over time that I can cut back.

Again, bottom line: simplify to make room for what you really want in your life, what you really love, what’s important to you. That’s the purpose of Item #1 in this list, and the rest is a way to make that happen.

Steve Says:

September 26th, 2007, 15:50 pm

It’s not simple enough, I gave up on point #1… I couldn’t figure out how to make a 3×5 “square” :(

rick duster Says:

September 26th, 2007, 15:54 pm

this seems to be more of a way to organize and prioritze rather than simplify.

Also, you’re missing a very key element:

1. STOP BUYING SHIT
2. NEVER make a list with 72 items

Rick

LivSimpl Says:

September 26th, 2007, 16:12 pm

Great list. I tend to let things pile up and the idea of sitting down and focusing on getting organized and simplifying things really resonates.

For anyone who’s interested, http://www.LivSimpl.com (my site) also has tips on how to simplify life and enjoy the little things we often overlook.

Again, Leo, great post.

Sean Tierney Says:

September 26th, 2007, 18:10 pm

I think Cidinho hit on the core of all this with his statement “I _feel_ unimportant otherwise” - there is no formula for what will make you a more productive person. These suggestions are all great and very consistent with David Allen’s philosophy - they work for a lot of people. But at the end of the day it’s not about following the tenents of a productivity religion to the letter, it’s about creating an environment in which you _feel_ most productive. If walking fast in New York works- great. If having a crapload of stuff in your inbox makes you _feel_ more at peace, do what you need to have that “mind like water” feeling.

To your point about consolidating priorities to an index card - wholly agree there. I wrote up this post awhile back on a technique I use to visually separate urgency from importance. it made lifehacker so apparently some people found value in it.

sean

Leo Says:

September 26th, 2007, 18:39 pm

@rick duster: Which points, in particular, seem like a way to organize rather than simplify? I’m actually a fan of simplifying rather than organizing, so it would be difficult to read my writing in that way, but I’m interested in hearing more from you.

If it wasn’t clear from the post, I’m advocating getting rid of things in your life to make room for what’s important. Not organizing what’s in your life already. :)

Leo Says:

September 26th, 2007, 18:40 pm

@Steve: lol … originally, it was a 5×5 square, but I changed the dimensions as I was writing to make it more like an index card. Didn’t catch the “square” error. :)

Larry Gasik Says:

September 26th, 2007, 19:12 pm

That’s pretty cool. I think a lot of people could use something like this. I think that just taking things in steps, and not trying to do too much at once is a great way to get organized and feel accomplished all at once. Baby steps and repetition.

Anne Says:

September 26th, 2007, 21:29 pm

I’ve been practicing the “drive slower” habit for the last week or so on my daily commute to and from work, and I can testify that it does make a difference. It’s cool to not let other drivers’ jockeying for position bother you or matter in any way whatsoever except to stay out of their way. The crazy drivers who race by me? I think maybe by the time they get to work in the city, they’ve beat me by maybe 2-3 minutes. Big deal! I’ve stayed pretty mellow, sipped some good coffee in my insulated mug, and listened to NPR or a Joni Mitchell CD. I haven’t wasted energy getting anxious or mad, so I’m better prepared for the work day.

Amazing how one little concept can make such a big difference.

Stefan Says:

September 26th, 2007, 22:23 pm

Amazing text, and it comes to me at a perfect time, for those are things I’ve been doing in the past few days out of pure desperation, and not for knowing that they’re truly important and should be regarded as part of my regular processes instead of scape goats.

Today I slowed down on traffic, in a totally un-natural manner for me (I ride a motorcycle daily, and it’s a supermottard - race bike) and it was at the same time a relief AND a surprise to learn I can actually behave and think of something else then just hurrying up all the time.

Adrian (www.couplehood.net) Says:

September 27th, 2007, 4:30 am

I recently cleared out the contents of many drawers - I attest to not only the good feeling, but also to the fact that now I know where everything is. It’s great to put all your ducks in a row.

Single-handling is perhaps one of the most useful habits I’ve picked up this year. I don’t have a measure, but I know I’m significantly more productive than I used to be.

Balfour Says:

September 27th, 2007, 13:49 pm

This article really hit the spot. After I read it this morning, I decided I wanted to do something about one aspect of a volunteer committment that I have (on a board of directors) that is time consuming, fills my place with clutter that has no home, and that I dread and hate doing. I sent an email to another board member asking if he could think of someone else who could do it and he said he had been thinking it might make more sense for him to do it! So, it’s on its way out of my space and out of my life; one less constant, annoying stress.

riy Says:

September 27th, 2007, 16:05 pm

nex

Jasi Says:

September 27th, 2007, 22:35 pm

Talk less, say more. I babble when I’m stressed. Word economy decreases mental clutter and helps me express what is important.

Jacob Sikais Says:

October 2nd, 2007, 19:19 pm

I especially like the last comment about doing a single task… write down something you need to do… break that up into single action steps… no matter how simple… and then follow your mini plan to accomplish the task at hand… it really will improve your productivity… and allow more time for leisure activities that you’d rather be doing.

It was also mentioned to do the thing you dread most first… this is not necessary… if there are things on your mind that need to be done… if it is a small task then go and complete it quickly… otherwise write it down on a piece of paper and this will break the open loop… your mind will no longer need to remember about that task… and you can get on with doing what you have planned for now.

Duncan Says:

October 4th, 2007, 13:30 pm

Organize your todo pile into two piles A and B. Send each pile to a colleague in a brown envelope, with a note saying “Take care of this - urgent”.

If anything comes back, remove items that are past due and repeat the process.

Leo Says:

October 4th, 2007, 17:42 pm

LOL … great stuff, Duncan. I’ve actually read that somewhere before, but can’t remember where. Anyway, let me know if anyone actually tries this! :)

Sandra Says:

October 11th, 2007, 22:03 pm

I’d like to echo the comment about not walking slower, at least not when you’re walking for transportation rather than to go on a nice walk, stop and smell the flowers, etc. If you’re just going from point A to point B, walking with a deliberate interest in exercise can be very positive.

Amiee Says:

December 13th, 2007, 15:16 pm

Hi I need some advise. You are the only person I am sending this to you and I have never even heard of you before so I think it is fate. I am 30 years old from a very small town. I had 2 kids right out of high school and got married, the typical Alabama thing to do. I am miserable with my life and 1 of my children has Tourette’s and that is very hard on me because of my anxiety. Life is so hard. I stay depressed all the time because I feel like I will never find my purpose in life.I watch T.V. and wish I could have there life. I no I probably don’y make sense but I had to talk or rather tell somebody about my troubles and see if you have any advise for a very confused girl. Amiee

Leo Says:

December 13th, 2007, 18:16 pm

Hi Amiee … I’d really like to help you, but I feel like this is beyond my qualifications. I would advise you to speak to someone, a counselor or therapist, not because you’re crazy or anything but because it can really help to tell someone about your troubles and to work through them.

I would also recommend that you find ways to relieve stress, and to do something positive in your life … anything, really, that will give you some joy and a sense of accomplishment.

You know what? I think I should go into more depth about these topics … I will do a post next week about them, but again, I strongly advise you to seek a therapist, because while I can give advice on stress relief and getting a sense of accomplishment, I can’t cure all of your troubles.

I feel for you! I hope I’ve given you a little encouragement … if you need to talk more, feel free to email me … zenhabits at gmail.

Megan Says:

December 22nd, 2007, 9:56 am

Amiee

Oh how I feel for you - and I understand how you feel - but you should feel proud of yourself for what you have achieved so far - I know its hard, but changing our ‘thinking processes’, also changes the way we view the world, and how the world ‘views and treats us’.

And listen to Leo’s wise words above - I do hope you return to see these postings, perhaps they will help a little, to get you started back on a road to happiness :-)

Do contact Leo, as he offers - and you can contact me too (see below) - it does sound like you need to talk to someone - get some support.

I have an incurable illness and am often bed-bound. while I have goals and passions to work for, sometimes it gets hard, and like you, I watch people, with their ‘normal’ lives, families, and just ‘wish’ I could have a ‘normal’ life.

But what is ‘normal’?? Often life tends to get taken for granted, so you should also feel proud for reaching out, being self-aware - enough to know that you want to change (not many people achieve this).

And despite ‘outer appearances’, everyone has their problems - so don’t be envious of others.

You need to find happiness ‘within’ yourself, and not lead other people’s lives. Again, people on ‘tv’ may ‘look’ like they have the perfect life, but in reality - there is a lot that you do not see!

Our lives are constantly changing. I had a wonderful life, a PhD, a great job, a partner, health - and then I lost it all. Nearly died a few times, going blind, losing my teeth, my hair, can never have children (and probably never a partner as a result) - I like to be ‘alone’, but sometimes I don’t like feeling ‘lonely’. there is a difference.

But - with all the difficulties, and feeling overwhelmed (and a life full of clutter that needs to be simplified!!) - I have decided, or ‘chosen’ to pick myself up, ONE small step at a time.

I agree - you would benefit from speaking with a therapist and there is no shame in doing so. Lots of people do at some point in their lives. Find some support - I get a sense you may be lacking this support?

In my own pursuit of change, happiness and finding my purpose, I have created a ’self help’ blog in order to help as many people as I can in the process (I also have a university background in psychology)

- while my site also does not provide a ‘magic wand’, it does help to read such sites, and to know that you are not alone.

Never feel alone and BE PROUD OF YOURSELF, for what you have achieved, in raising two children, despite your depression and sadness.

So - if ever you need support/advice, please also visit my blog (I hope this is ok to post here??),, read sites such as this one here, read self help books (plus see someone to help you through)…. and you can also contact me at my blog (my email address is at the bottom of some of the postings)

“Self Help For Growth And Change’
http://selfhelp4growth.blogspot.com

(learning how to be happy, to control our thoughts, to ‘choose’ our ‘realities/our world’, and to be always be kind and gentle with ourselves)

I wish all the best for you. Remember, life is always changing - it is a journey. We may be happy, at the top of the world during one stage, and at the ‘bottom of a pit’ in another stage. Our lives are full of mountains, valleys and plateaus.

There is a way through :-)
And again, there is no shame in talking with a therapist - they are there to help and to support you. You may find it difficult to see this now, but it IS possible to change your life, or your view about life and to feel a lot happier. It just takes time and belief/faith.

We are always learning!

Take care.
Megan McCarthy, PhD

Kharla G Says:

March 18th, 2008, 15:43 pm

ZenHabits

Best Website I’ve ever been to for 2008. I have printed a lot of items under Simplifying My Life and it helps me be aware of the way I am living my life today.

I just have to give credit to whoever is in behind of this gem. Sometimes being on a web spot anywhere on the web gives me the headache due to all those pop-ups and ads. This is a no-nonsense blog that I will forever be thankful for stumbling upon.

I am working on most of the tips especially those on managing my finances. I hope the site moderator can give me a hand as far as living a fuller life is concerned.

“Life ain’t worth livin’ if you ain’t livin’ the worth of it.”

Jacob Thomas Says:

March 29th, 2008, 19:19 pm

My wife always throw away all unimportant things in our life. My habit was always keep things hoping that they will be useful some day. Thre are things which I kept for more than thirty years, but never used. Thanks for your advice. That will make my life simpler

Jon - The DC Traveler Says:

May 13th, 2008, 10:45 am

One more…clean up and organize one room of your house every month. In 6 months, you home will be an easier place to live.

selly Says:

July 23rd, 2008, 7:18 am

you know I love to get up early in the morning, and go out smiling sun, dawn fills me energy for the whole day.

Nicolas Soergel Says:

July 26th, 2008, 5:38 am

This is a nice website with nice principles. It also fits well to my blog with very concrete tips on how to gain one extra hour every day.

http://memytime.wordpress.com/

I will keep reading you too.

Haley-O Says:

July 31st, 2008, 20:50 pm

Wow! Great ideas. And, wonderful blog. I’m so glad I found you! :)

Tylo Says:

September 9th, 2008, 17:26 pm

I really liked the steps in accomplishing a more simplified lifestyle. Life, as it is, is daunting however. People seem to move more towards technology and separate from our very own people. What I mean is that people gravitate more towards texting, e-mailing, internet, mass media, etc. to communicate rather than our own voice; person to person. In some ways, it’s a good thing: global communication and in some ways it’s stupidly bad: I’m texting my friend that is sitting right next to me. I guess I’m gravitating this subject towards the dissembling of society and it’s people rather than simplifying life… I’m sorry for that too, I’m just a little down today and life just seems too much of… well, technology. Sometimes, it’d be nice if it was OKAY to leave society and be in complete wilderness. Uh… any comments?

Onno Says:

September 21st, 2008, 20:42 pm

Regarding emails, I have a zero inbox policy.

So at any time there are no emails in my inbox.

When an email arrives that I can answer in less than 2 minutes I do it straight away. Other wise it goes in one of the following 3 folders.

Action folder: These emails take longer than 2 minutes to answer or they need additional info. I normally set some time aside during the day to do these emails.

Later folder: These emails are non urgent or can be dealt with at a later date.

Archive folder: Archive any emails in here that will come in handy later or emails that hold some important information.

This system really helped me save time and reduce stress. I used to have over 400 emails sitting in my inbox and I used to dread to check for more emails. But now that I have zero it makes me feel really energised, efficient and it’s so easy to stay on top of things.

Also business wise it has helped because before with my cluttered inbox I actually missed some opportunities but that will never happen again.

Nadine D'souza Says:

October 1st, 2008, 8:40 am

hey Leo,

Great post ! Simplifying our lives is often the most complicated thing to do ! We have no clue where to start and how to go about it. The end result is a bigger mess than before !

Your tips go a long way in helping wannabe-simplifiers like me get started. I stumbled upon your blog in a google search for tips on living a simple life. Ever since, I’ve been a die-hard zen habits disciple ! Thanks for the time and effort you put into each of these posts ! God Bless !

Nadine