Simplify

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life lies in eliminating the non-essentials.

Chinese Proverb

Living in balance is not about having myriad balls in the air and doing all you can to avoid dropping any. That’s not balancing; that’s juggling. It’s like running uphill, hoping your legs won’t give up while running out of breath.

To achieve balance, one has to be willing to drop some balls. It requires clarity and the willingness to prioritize the important over the non-essential.

To define essential, we need to get to know ourselves. We need to be honest with ourselves and identify the activities that support us and those that undermine our sense of well-being.

It takes no time for things to creep into our daily lives and schedules. That’s why it’s important to review and revise constantly. By keeping a watchful eye, setting clear boundaries, and eliminating the non-essentials, we ensure that what we invest our time and energy in reflects our priorities and goals.

No aspect of our life and work can ever flourish without our attention. When we work on a project involving other people, we meet to discuss the details, deadlines, and progress. We ensure that every action point and step brings us closer to the successful completion of the project. When working on the project of our “life,” we forget all we know.

Let’s begin by examining our habits and determining what activities qualify as “non-essential.”

Invest 5-10 minutes each day in reviewing and revising. Aim to minimize the time you spend on “non-essentials” by moving them to the bottom of your to-do list. Give priority to what matters—at work and home.

When someone asks you to commit, think carefully before you say yes. Saying no can be much easier than you think, and practice makes you stronger and better at it.