Simplifying life so you can actually LIVE.
Have you given thought to how you would define LIVING? Is your definition the scientific one of having a heartbeat OR does it more closely resemble appreciating the present moment with gratitude and awareness? I have found myself at various times in my life guilty of being alive without living life. One of the reasons I failed is that I made life more complicated than it had to be.
In previous posts, I have shared this idea of simplifying life. By judging our actions and the actions of others, our inner critic makes things far too complicated. Kendra Adachi writes about practical things you can do to simplify your life in her book, The Lazy Genius Way. Adachi shares 13 key principles that encourage readers to be "genius" about the things that are important and "lazy" about everything else.
Personally, the 3 most impactful strategies were:
Decide Once
Make a decision one time for recurring tasks or choices to reduce decision fatigue.
How to implement: Choose a go-to gift for birthdays, set a weekly meal plan (e.g., Taco Tuesdays), or decide what you’ll wear on specific days, order re-occurring things through Amazon’s subscription service so they automatically show up every 3 months (laundry detergent, soap or body wash). This frees up mental energy for more important decisions.
Ask the Magic Question
Ask yourself, "What can I do now to make life easier later?"
How to implement: Prep ingredients for dinner in the morning, lay out clothes and consider the most important thing to complete for the next day the night before. For vacations make a packing list that you can refer back to rather than stressing at the last minute worrying about forgetting things. These small actions can significantly reduce stress later.
Small Simple Steps (SSS)
Big changes can feel overwhelming, so start with small, manageable steps that can be done in one minute or less.
How to implement: If you want to hydrate more start with one glass every morning before buying a new water bottle or setting a goal to drink 5L per day. If you want to read more, commit to reading 2 pages every day without missing more than 2 days in a row.
Quote I’m pondering…
Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you.
- Miguel Ruiz
A useful reminder from the author of a must-read book, The Four Agreements. If someone criticizes your work harshly, it's easy to feel hurt or defensive. However, their feedback could stem from their own high standards, frustrations, or even insecurities about their performance. If a friend frequently cancels plans, it might feel like they don’t value your relationship. However, their actions may be due to personal issues like anxiety, exhaustion, or other commitments. By not taking it personally and understanding that it’s not a reflection of your worth as a friend, you can approach the situation with empathy rather than resentment
We all make decisions based on the information we have at the moment. It is easy for our ego to get in the way and to think someone’s actions are caused by us, but most of the time they are not. Take the example of your boss walking by you in the morning without properly acknowledging you. Where does your mind go? Does it go to an interaction you had with them last week where you were late on a project or disappointed in them in some way? We often internalize things and connect dots that aren’t meant to be connected. It could be they had an argument with their partner or received some bad news about a family member’s prognosis. Lean in by being curious if you want to find out. If you cannot take it personally and move on with your day - that’s even better!
Action Steps
Think about how you can embrace the Lazy Genius’ tips on simplifying your life. Share examples of your inventions with your partner or a friend and challenge each other by using the power of accountability. Your ego isn’t a bad thing and sometimes you can use it to your advantage. But remember, keep it simple!!!
Consider something you have taken personally in the last 48 hours. Have you asked questions to confirm your thoughts? If not, then consider the possibility that the story you are telling yourself could be entirely fabricated and not the slightest bit true. When you take things personally, think about the children's book Curious George and playfully remind yourself about the power of being curious.
Consider blocking off Friday, February 21, 2025, to attend the 6th installment of our Rx for Renewal Retreats. This is a retreat curated especially for professionals looking to achieve more meaning in their lives.
If you are looking to improve your mental fitness, complete the free 5-minute Saboteur Assessment and email me your results. Let’s chat about addressing your inner critic by upgrading your operating system for sustained results.
Manjit Hansra is the founder of Rx for Renewal. Through keynote speaking, 1:1 coaching, and curated retreats, I share evidence-based tools to help professionals prevent and manage burnout. Check out my offerings HERE and book a complimentary call to improve your mental fitness HERE.