10 Ways to Simplify Your Life
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
These days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by an overly complicated life. If you’re looking for ways to gain control over your life or your current situation, consider simplifying.
Simplifying your life can mean cutting unnecessary to-do list items, eliminating clutter from your home, fine-tuning your priorities, or otherwise gaining perspective on what truly matters to you.
You can use these strategies to simplify your life, beginning today:
1. Identify what’s most important to you and then get rid of everything else. Know what really matters the most to you. Things that don’t matter are simply wasting your time and energy, so purge them as soon as you can.
2. Make a list of the top 4-5 priorities in your life. Keep this list with you all the time so you always remember what counts the most. Put a copy on your bathroom mirror, another above your bed, and keep one in your wallet for good measure.
3. Evaluate your current commitments. Look at absolutely everything going on in your life right now. Which of these commitments actually deliver value or joy? Which are in line with the 4-5 priorities you listed in the previous step? Eliminate everything else.
4. Assess how you spend your time. How are you spending your time? Make a list of everything you do in a day and compare that to your list of priorities. What can you eliminate?
5. Simplify your work tasks. Rather than trying to knock off every single task on your to-do list, focus on only the most essential tasks and then find ways to eliminate all the others. To do this, you can try delegation, outsourcing, moving them to other days or simply dropping them.
6. Simplify your home tasks. Repeat the above process with your home tasks, removing the things that you’re not reasonably going to accomplish in a day. Simplify your list of home tasks by automating, delegating, outsourcing and removing anything that doesn’t fall in line with what’s most important.
7. Learn to say no. When you learn to say no, you’ll begin to take on only as much as you can handle. Then you can give your attention to the tasks that matter the most.
8. Limit your consumption of media. The abundance of media available today can overwhelm nearly every second of our lives. Try to simplify your own life by limiting media and information consumption whenever possible.
9. Be selective with your methods of communication. Designate certain times for communication by only e-mailing at certain points in the day, only using the phone during certain hours, only chatting via IM in your off-hours and so on. Limit the ways that you communicate throughout the day to prevent communication from overwhelming you or your day.
10. Purge unnecessary stuff. Devote one weekend every month to getting rid of absolutely anything that you don’t want or need in your life. Removing everything that doesn’t really matter can be therapeutic and cathartic. Purging your home and your life once monthly is a really beneficial process to your overall health and well being.
This is only a small sampling of the things that you can do in order to simplify your life. Consider this to be a foundation, though, that will guide you to find new and interesting ways to create a simple life. With just a little conscious effort, you can achieve simplicity in all aspects of your life.
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Tips for Fighting Procrastination
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
It’s hard to find someone that has never had to deal with the problem of procrastination. It’s so common because most people naturally put off activities that they don’t enjoy.
On some days, procrastination might be a more difficult problem for you to conquer than others. One day you might sail along smoothly and the next you might not feel like leaving your bed. While everyone has a bad day from time to time, it’s also a good idea to overcome a procrastinating mindset.
Consider following these procrastination tips:
Take small steps. When you’re putting off starting a large project it may be because it seems like a huge task that will eat up all of your time. Instead of expecting yourself to work for hours on end, try starting with 10 minutes. This will get you going on it and then it will be easier to continue.
Give yourself breaks. While sitting down for 8 hours to complete a task sounds daunting, try dividing it up into small steps and take a break when you complete each step. Another method is to give yourself a 10 minute break every hour. Go for a walk in the fresh air, surf the ‘net, or text a friend on your break. Doing so will refresh your mind so you can get back to your project with renewed energy.
Make a plan. It’s easy to continue on the path of procrastination when your goals remain unclear. Give yourself a strict deadline if necessary. Write down the tasks you need to complete and the details of those tasks. It’s a way of holding yourself accountable for what is or isn’t done at the end of the day.
Get to the root of the problem. Sometimes there’s an underlying reason why you’ve been procrastinating on one specific issue. You might not be able to identify this reason until you really think about it. If you can identify the reason, you might solve your procrastination problem for that specific issue.
Reward yourself. While a break might seem like a reward, you can promise yourself other types of rewards for completing tough tasks. Decide on something you want to have or want to do. Allow yourself this luxury once you’ve completed the task at hand.
Believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, you gain a passion for life and an enthusiasm that will help you get through the day. Once you believe in yourself, you have the power to get over procrastination and reach your ultimate goals in life.
Do the least-liked task first. When your day consists of many tasks you need to complete, start with the one that’s hanging over your head. While you might be procrastinating against all of them, once the bad ones are out of the way, your day will improve.
Schedule fun tasks, too! It’s important to make time for yourself, so enjoyable tasks should be a part of your day, too. Since your to-do list is usually packed with undesirable tasks, you should include enjoyable activities as well.
For example, if you want to play volleyball on Tuesday nights, write it down on your to-do list. When you cross it off your list, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something important – and you have!
Practice these techniques to help you fight procrastination and soon you’ll find that much of your stress has melted away and you’ll have more time for enjoying the things you love the most!
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Four Common Self-Sabotaging Tactics
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
There are four common self-sabotaging tactics that you should avoid at all cost.
Do you find yourself repeating behaviors that sabotage your success? Are you ready to put your limiting behavior to rest in favor of a better outlook and greater fulfillment?
The first step to the success you crave is being able to recognize the limiting beliefs that stand in the way of your success. Once you do, you can banish those beliefs in favor of more empowering ones. Become aware of these self-sabotaging thoughts and beliefs that you hold so you can replace them with more productive thoughts that support your success:
Settling for less than your best causes you to stop short of unleashing your fullest potential. Sometimes you settle for less because you’re scared of encountering failure. Other times, you may settle simply because you lack awareness of your own strength.
Test your strength constantly by going out of your comfort zone. Face your fears, because more often than not, your fear is the only obstacle between you and ultimate success.
Expecting too much from others. When you automatically expect help from others, or anticipate that others will bail you out of a tough situation, you’re expecting too much. You are only responsible for yourself. Even if your friends and family have helped you in the past, they may choose to let you fend for yourself this time around. Always be prepared to suffer the consequences of your actions and clean up your own mess. Choose a more sensible path that takes into account that you may journey to your destination alone.
Do you feel sorry for yourself? If your current situation causes you to feel like something’s missing, change your circumstances. Instead of dwelling on what could have been and focusing on the unfortunate hand you’ve been dealt, seek to learn from every experience and focus on solutions, instead of problems.
Your success is your responsibility. Hold yourself accountable for your results and allow unfortunate situations to steer you toward success, instead of deterring you from achieving your dreams. By maintaining this mindset, even your worst trial will be far better than remaining on the sidelines of life.
Lack of a back-up plan can be a problem. If your initial plan gives less than desired results, your only chance at success is your ability to adapt. Everyone needs a Plan B. You may feel like a pessimist by planning for an unfortunate outcome, but this planning is actually proactive. It shows your mind that you’re serious about reaching your desired destination. Ensure your financial security, mental health, and well-being by always planning for the worst while hoping for the best.
If you often find yourself creating any of these self-sabotaging behaviors that hinder your chances of success, decide that today is going to be a new day.
The important thing is that you recognize the thought patterns and behaviors that limit you and head in a new direction that supports your success.
Replace unproductive ways of thinking with a more productive, solution-oriented focus that tells your mind you deserve the success you seek. When you do, your success is inevitable.
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Tips To Get You To Where You Want To Be
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
While you should strive to make your dreams come true, concentrate, on yourself and your journey. When you spend less time wishing things were different and more time accepting what you’ve got, you’ve already found a sense of peace and happiness right there.
Dr. Joe Vitale, renowned motivational speaker and author, often says: “the fastest way to get where you want is to be happy with where you are.” Believe it or not, this mindset really works! It may take some changes and soul searching on your part, but in the end, it’ll be more than worth it to adopt this positive mentality.
Here are some tips that can help you become who you want to be right now:
Feel gratitude. When you concentrate on the big picture, it’s easier to exhibit feelings of gratitude. When you’re grateful, you remain positive and appreciative of every joyful moment in life. Sometimes people get too caught up in a sense of entitlement, which leads to negative feelings. Concentrating on gratitude, instead, will get you where you desire.
Be optimistic. Some say that life is all about optimism. And it’s true! An optimistic attitude is one of the few things you need to succeed. If you’re trying to achieve a concrete goal, optimism will help you accomplish it. If you’re trying to change your mindset, optimism will make the task easier. Optimism can be the driving force that keeps you going.
Exhibit the traits you desire. It was Gandhi who said that you should be the change you want to see in the world. With these wise words in mind, you can replace wanting with some bold action. With some persistence and perseverance, you can make it happen.
Adopt a prosperous mindset. Take a moment to determine what prosperity means to you. Are you hoping for money, a fulfilling career, or a relationship that lasts a lifetime? Know what you want, then adopt the right mindset. Once you do, you’ve then set yourself in the right direction toward your goals.
Find the silver lining. As you go through life, you will no doubt realize that things are not always going to go your way. But even in tough times you need to keep your chin up. Instead of allowing negativity to consume your life, seek out the silver lining. This fresh attitude can be the difference between being held hostage and achieving your goals.
Take small steps. When the place you’re going seems far away and unachievable, it’s important to break it down into small steps. Give yourself an achievable goal with a realistic time frame. Break that one down into smaller goals. When you avoid getting overwhelmed, you’ll gain the confidence to persevere.
You’re Already There! It’s a good idea to practice one of these tips at a time until you’ve incorporated them into your life. Perhaps you can spend a week perfecting one strategy and, then the next week, add another one to your repertoire while continuing with the first one. Soon enough, you’ll be a natural at all of them!
Once you choose a powerful and positive mindset, you’ll find that you’ve already achieved much of what you want. Just remember: You already have the traits, mindset, and lifestyle you desire, and you know that success is inevitable, but only when you have the will to break through the obstacles in your mind!
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Bring Your Personal Goals into Reality
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
Do you go about your daily life just getting by from one day to the next, all the while saving your dream goals for “someday?” Wouldn’t you love to turn that “someday” into today?
Your personal goals can become reality, and sooner than you think, too! By believing in yourself and taking decisive action, even if it’s one small step at a time, you can wake up one day soon and find that you’re living the life of your dreams.
What’s your biggest reason for putting off your goals until a later date? Is it because your goals are unattainable or require a tremendous change from the life you’re living now? The good news is, even with such large goals, you can get yourself on the right track by consistently allocating a little free time toward these goals.
Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals:
Clarify your goals: Instead of thinking of your goals as vague ideas, determine exactly what you want. If you want money, how much do you want? If you want to lose weight, how much? Specify your goal in a measurable format.
Make a solid plan: The planning phase is very important. This is where you figure out how you’re going to get what you want. It’s as simple as choosing a path toward your goal and writing down each step you’ll need to take to achieve it.
Hold yourself to deadlines: Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to achieve each step and hold yourself accountable. When the going gets tough, just picture that big payoff you’ll enjoy when you get past your hurdles and achieve your goal.
Be prepared to deal with setbacks: Expect the unexpected. Sometimes, things go awry. When facing a setback, learn what you can from the situation and then fight your way back into the game. Most importantly, continue to believe in yourself. Each challenge you overcome makes you stronger.
Explore your options: Sometimes when your circumstances in life change, your priorities also change, and that’s okay! Never be afraid of reevaluating your situation and your goals. If you decide to take a different path in life, it’s your decision. Make new goals, and corresponding plans, for your new journey.
Be serious about your goals: When you feel that your goals are a priority, it’ll be easier for you to avoid procrastination. Taking your wants and needs seriously could make all the difference between reaching your goals or not.
Break your goal into smaller pieces: This tip is especially important when you’re pursuing a large goal. For example, if your goal is to go after a career that involves a great deal of specialized training, then make each type of training a goal in itself. Celebrate as you complete each step because you’re now one step closer to your dream!
Get the help you need: There are many people willing to help you reach your goals in life. Whether it’s someone to lean on to give you an extra confidence push, or someone to outsource work to, it’ll show you that you can count on others for help. With help, you can accomplish more.
It all comes down to your attitude. Once you’ve got your goals organized, if you have a positive mindset about achieving them, you’ll also have the drive necessary to keep working until you reach success. Take these strategies to heart, and live the life you desire – and deserve!
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About the Author: Dr. Brons is the Chief Learning Officer of Express Coaching™ and a working coach. Randin’s work goes far beyond the search for your life purpose – the difference is in learning to live by your own design. Visit his website at www.ajourneytojoy.com.
How Do You Define Failure?
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
What do you think when you hear the word failure? You probably are thinking that you’re not good enough and that you should give up.
While failure can involve those thoughts and emotions, failure can also make us stronger or wiser. A simple definition of failure is: An act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success.
When I think of this definition of failure, I’m reminded of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb. While there are many conflicting stories of how many times Edison “failed” at inventing the electric light bulb, most agree it was in the thousands before he found the right combination of materials.
One of Edison’s most famous quotes is, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” If you adopt this same attitude, you’ll overcome your feelings of failure and be able to see your dreams and desires come to fruition.
Robert Schuller stated these famous words, “Failure doesn’t mean you’re a failure; it just means you haven’t succeeded yet.” Henry Ford said, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”
When you consider those words from these wise and successful people, you’ll truly begin to understand the power of failure. The truth is, you only fail when you give up! When you keep trying until you’ve found the answer or the solution, you’re successful. You’d never say Thomas Edison, Robert Schuller or Henry Ford were failures would you? Sure, they were unsuccessful many, many times, but they didn’t give up until they found the answer, the right procedure or the right materials to solve their dilemma.
In case those quotes weren’t enough to make you believe failure has a positive power and strength, here are some more you might relate to:
“Failure is an event, never a person.” – William D. Brown. The next time you try your hand at something and don’t achieve the desired result immediately, remember failure is an event; it’s not you.
Bill Cosby also said it well when he said, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” If you’re trying to please everyone, you can’t possibly succeed!
“Never confuse a single defeat with final defeat.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
“You can’t have any successes until you can accept failures.” – George Cukor
Just because you’ve failed once, twice or 10,000 times at something, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You only fail when you stop trying.
Still not convinced? How about this:
“You always pass failure on your way to success.” – Mickey Rooney. What do these words mean to you? No matter what you’re trying to succeed at, whether it’s a sport, project, career, invention, or at school, there will be times when you don’t succeed. But you mustn’t let that stop you from reaching your goals, dreams, and desires.
The common thread among all these famous people and their wise words is the same. You can’t have success without failure. Never give up and never stop trying. There is power in failure, you just have to give yourself a chance.
Keep trying, keep failing and soon you’ll find true success!
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About the Author: Dr. Brons is the Chief Learning Officer of Express Coaching™ and a working coach. Randin’s work goes far beyond the search for your life purpose – the difference is in learning to live by your own design. Visit his website at www.ajourneytojoy.com.
6 Simple Rules in Life
by Randin Brons, Ph.D., C.M.H., M.S.L.C.
As a life coach I am often asked how to go about improving life in a simple manner that will bring about a positive difference. Let me tell you, life is simple and peaceful if you incorporate the following six rules into your daily routine.
Practice some quiet time everyday. Quietness of mind is the secret ingredient to a happy and successful life. Make it a regular habit to enjoy some quiet time every day. To start with set aside just 10 minutes at the start of the day. Just sit in a quiet place without paying any attention to your passing thoughts. You could pay attention only to your breathing and notice your chest and abdomen while breathing. This is not yoga, meditation, etc. This is simply a quiet time. Just ten minutes a day in the morning or night before bedtime is ideal for you to enjoy the peace within. If you make this a regular habit you would witness a better quality of life real soon.
Exercise your body and mind. Daily exercise keeps you away from mental and physical illness. Exercise keeps your body flexible, supple and strong. This leads to a balanced mind. There are plenty of good exercises you could choose from to keep yourself healthy and enjoy a long life. If you have not been exercising, you could start today. Just go for a brisk walk and feel the fresh air filling your lungs.
Eat sensibly. This area really poses a challenge for most of us. ‘You are what you eat’ is not just a mere saying. It is a fact of life. What we eat, why we eat, when we eat and how we eat are important factors related to our physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. It would be wise to choose a healthy diet and stick to it. Your goal should not only be to lose weight but also to keep it under control so that your body and mind does not bear the strain of overweight.
Choose a fulfilling profession or job. Many people have a habit of switching jobs. They do not seem to know what they are looking for. They are not sure if they are after money, challenge, job satisfaction, etc. It is important that you have clear-cut ideas of what you are looking for in a job. You should love your job in order to do it well and succeed in it. You would find fulfillment in your career only when you love your profession or job.
Maintain good relationships. Life is for sharing. Share your love and happiness with your friends and family. Learn to cherish your relationships. Respect everyone around you and develop good communication skills to establish truly valuable relationships. Relationships make your life meaningful.
Get enough sleep. Sleep restores energy. Make sure to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Deep, regular and restful mind is good for body and mind. If you have unhealthy sleeping habits get rid of them and develop good sleeping habits. Enjoy the benefits of good sleep.
When you practice these simple rules you are bound to enjoy a happy, healthy and peaceful life. Life is quite simple, really!
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About the Author: Dr. Brons is the Chief Learning Officer of Express Coaching™ and a working coach. Randin’s work goes far beyond the search for your life purpose – the difference is in learning to live by your own design. Visit his website at www.ajourneytojoy.com.
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