Pick just 4-5 things, even if there are lots of other things that also seem important. Now make a longer list: what else is in your life that?s not on the short list? Once you?ve done these things, you?re done with the Big Picture stuff ? the next step is to start eliminating commitments that aren?t on the short list. Do the same for your work life ? what?s most important, and what doesn?t make your short list of most important projects and goals?
2. Start clearing clutter in one spot. Physical clutter can be overwhelming, which is why you should just pick one small spot, and clear that. You can get to the rest later. It might be the top of your desk, or if that is super messy maybe just one spot on top of your desk.
It might be a table-top or part of a counter or shelf in your home. It doesn?t matter what the spot is. Here?s how to start: first clear off that area and put everything into a pile to the side. Now sort through the pile quickly, making three smaller piles: stuff you use and love, stuff you can donate, and trash. Sort quickly and ruthlessly ? everything should go in one of the three piles. Then throw the trash away, put the 84
donate stuff in a box to be dropped off to a charity, and put the stuff you love and use neatly where it belongs. Everything should have a permanent home. Done! Slowly expand your decluttered zone.
How to systematically simplify
Once you?ve gotten started with the two things above, take this newly found momentum and keep it going. You don?t need to do it all at once ? 20
minutes a day would do wonders. Small steps, one at a time.
Here?s what I?d do, in little chunks:
1. Take 10 minutes a day to clear another small area of clutter.
It could be another area on top of your desk or a table, it could be a drawer, a shelf, a counter, a small area of the floor, a wall that?s covered in papers in your office. Follow the sorting method above.
Expand the decluttered zone daily.
2. Take 10 minutes a day to simplify your commitments, what you do, and what comes in to your life. Just simplify one or two things a day. If you choose a commitment to eliminate, simply call or email someone, letting them know you can no longer serve on this committee or that board, or coach this team or play on that one, or work on this project or that. If you choose to simplify what you do, cross things off your to-do list that aren?t on your short list ?sometimes that means emailing someone to let them know you can?t work on it because your plate is too full. If you choose what comes into your life, you might eliminate an email newsletter that you get daily (or all newsletters), you might pare down your blog reading list, or unsubscribe from a magazine, or stop using a social service or forum that doesn?t add value to your life.
In this way, one little chunk at a time, you?ll eventually clear a lot of the physical and mental clutter in your personal and work life, and things will get simpler over time.
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section iv.
focus
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1: a simple system for getting amazing things
done
?Do whatever you do intensely.?
? Robert Henri
If all of the chapters and tips in this book overwhelm you, don?t worry.
You can read this chapter alone and it?ll be sufficient.
This chapter outlines my current way of working, and it?s a simple system for Getting Amazing Things Done.
In fact, it?s three simple steps. It can?t get any easier.
Step 1: Find Something Amazing to work on
Every day, first thing in the morning, figure out Something Amazing that you want to work on today.
It can be anything: a big project at work, creating your own business, learning programming or web development skills, writing a song, taking photographs, anything. It should be something that excites you, that will change your life at least in some small way. It should compel you to work on it because you?re inspired, excited, motivated.
