The top 7 ways to simplify your life so you can be in the moment, not the to-do list

by BZ Riger

A lot of us were brought up with sayings like no pain no gain and don’t put cleaning-clutter-simplify yourself first you will never get ahead…

They were really distortions but we bought them or they were crammed down our throats hook line and sinker.

Of course the saying do unto others as you would have them do unto you was ignored or twisted. Because the way most people treat themselves is awful.

And if we treated most people in our life even a quarter as badly as we treat ourselves we would have very few people who would have anything to do with us if it was possible to avoid.

Out of those distorted ways of thinking about treating ourselves we developed lots of clutter in our lives. Not just stuff in our closets but clutter in our minds.
The long list of negative self talk that parades through our minds, the doubts about our talents and thoughts that we are not yet worthy enough to be successful, to enjoy our lives or even dare to thrive in our lives and small businesses…

How is the distortion, the clutter inside and out working for you?

Here are 7 ways to simplify your life and to start thriving from the inside out… Take one thing at a time with small steps to simplify your life, release the distortion and set a new course.

1. Learn to say No- If no is not an option than saying yes is not a choice.

Don’t let your actions be dictated by trying to please people, you will run yourself ragged.If you shift how you decide to accept or decline a request and do it from a place that fits with what is most important to you.

Then when you say yes you show up completely and in the moment and there is nothing to stress over, resent or feel overwhelmed about.When you say no you build your word and your confidence. You also give the gift to others to understand that saying no is something they can do as well.

2. Give your focus and energy to what you have chosen as priorities in your life-

What is really important to you?

Remove the “shoulds” remove the obligations…What do you really want and what makes life joyful and brings you happiness?

These are big questions that far too many people never answer. Take the time to tune in and get clarity. Then give your focus and your life energy to the priorities you choose.

Nothing is more important than your time- Nothing-

3. Clear out the clutter in your environment- Where you live is your environment. Does it nurture, support and inspire you… or does it add to your stress, your feeling of too much to do…

Start with a small corner of your environment. Perhaps its clearing off one shelf, or washing one window that lets sunshine in and lets you open to a new line of vision and see more clearly.

Clean out one drawer today and do another one tomorrow or next week. As you clear out the clutter let clarity flood into the space and your mind and you will know what will be the perfect next step.

4. Don’t Live in the Past- It is gone and is not a measure of the possibilities or potential you have.

It is a memory of experiences that you have assigned labels, judgments, and power to. The past only has the power that you give it.If you don’t like the past then make the choice to stop giving it your attention and life energy.

Let it just be in the past and take your focus and attention from it. Move your thoughts, feeling, and energy to this moment.The present moment is the only moment you really have. It is your point of power.

What are you choosing to create, to experience, to explore?

5. Break your addiction to being glued to the news- It does not feed your mind or expand your potential.

When your focus on the news gives you a rhythm where you feel you live and die by the latest reports on challenges and changes occurring you are letting someone else decide who you are and what is important to you.

Saying you watch all the time because you need to be informed and know what is happening is a distortion and lie to yourself.

Tune into what is important to you and what you want to experience. You will find out the information that is empowering and important to you and what you want to create in your life.

Being glued to the news cycle takes your power away and dishonors rather than informs you of what is really important in your life.

6.Practice breathing deeply- As you walk, as you work, as you move throughout your day.

So many people breath in a very shallow way. They are in the habit of grabbing short breathes just enough to get a little air in so they can rush to the next grab for a shallow breath.

Breathing deeply feeds your body, mind, and soul…Taking the time to intentional breath deeply to feed yourself gives you a whole new experience of life.

Don’t think of it as something done only in meditation which you probably don’t do-Think of it as something that leads to a thriving life. Because it is one of the foundational pieces.

7. Make a commitment to yourself- Take the time to figure out what you really want. What you are grateful for, what brings a smile of appreciation to your soul…

Then make the commitment to yourself to release the things in your life that do not support you in what you want.

Choose to experience life in a new way. To let go of old ways of thinking and habits that no longer serve you.When you make this kind of commitment to yourself to enhance your life to fill yourself up with that which supports and cultivates a thriving life. You have a commitment to self and a strong foundation-

NOW you really have something to give to others on a variety of different levels. It starts with the commitment to YOURSELF!

Which one of these powerful ways will you start with to simplify your life and step out of the swirl of to-do lists and the chaos that clutters your mind and your life?