Five Steps to more Simplicity and Happiness

Does simplicity help us lead a life filled with happiness?  I have found that as my life gets simpler, which I have been actively working on for four years now, it does get happier.  There is less stress, less stuff to do, less stuff in my way and ultimately the important part – more of what I really want in my life.  How can you make your life simpler?  Five easy steps can take you there.

1. Clear the clutter – if you have not used something in a year and don’t plan to use it then get rid of it!  Extra stuff lying around only causes more hassle; less space, more to clean and more to manage.  It is time to part with it some of your stuff!
2. Consolidate – do you have 3 savings accounts, two checking accounts and 3 credit cards?  Combine them to one of each!  It makes balancing and paying things that much easier!  Look for other areas of your life other than money that you can consolidate.  Do your three kids go to three different soccer clubs?  Choose one!
3. Reduce your scheduled commitments – this really helps you have time to do the things you want.  Limit the kids on the number of activities they can participate in.  Reduce your extra activities to only those that you really love.  Practice the art of saying NO!
4. Outsource – do you have a task that you don’t want to do or don’t have the time? Consider having someone else do it!  With someone else doing it you have more time to focus on what you want to do!  I for one know that having someone else clean the bathroom makes me VERY happy!
5. Analyze – always take the time to evaluate if a purchase is truly needed, or if a commitment is really what you want.  Make sure all of your decisions get you to where you want to go.  If they don’t they are not worth it and should be pushed aside!  Make every decision a conscious decision. 

Not sure simplicity will make you happier or that you can achieve it?  Try just one of the tips above, make a small change for a month or two and see how it goes.  You may be hooked on simplifying and be happier than you ever thought you could be!  There is only way to find out!

Staying motivated, Positive and Happy

It can be very hard to stay motivated, positive and happy.  Especially with continually negative news (even when not warranted) and the day to day responsibilities that most of us have.  I myself find I can struggle to keep going even though I love what I do.  Some days I just want to throw my hands in the air and call it quits, but I don’t.  I do keep going.  How?  Usually I take a bit of recovery time for myself and try to refocus my energy to the positive. 

Yesterday was one of those days, so I pulled out some affirmations I use, committed myself to a media sabbatical (only positive things going in), put exercise first and reminded myself of my priorities.  Amazingly after only half a day I feel more revived than sometimes a long weekend can revive me!

 I challenge you, instead of being cranky or negative refocus yourself and get back to working on what you love.

Discover your purpose by Adding Exercise

Is living a life of happiness and purpose related to your level of physical fitness?  Yes!  It gives you the energy and emotional desire to go out and do more, thus getting you healthier from just moving around more!  I am sure there are other ways that it also increases your physical fitness, but what I really want to look at is if you are not living a life of purpose and are unhappy can focusing on physical fitness help you find your life direction?  I believe it definitely helps and has big impacts on my journey!  There are three main reasons that participating in fitness helps you with your direction.

1. Self esteem
2. Clearing your mind
3. Reduce stress

First, when you are exercising you end up establishing a higher self esteem.  When you are surer of yourself it is easier to move in the direction of your true calling.  You have the confidence to make the right jump or confront the issues that are affecting you.

Second, when you exercise it helps to clear your mind.  It allows you to zone out.  This helps because sometimes it makes way for a break through to occur with no other thoughts in the way (you often hear that great ideas came through in the shower, this is the same phenomenon).  These break through can be realizations that you are at the wrong company, it is time to retire or that it is time to start your own business.

Finally, exercise reduces stress.  Stress blocks logical thoughts making it harder to think and feel in an organized non emotional manner.  The less stress you have the clearer you are able to think and determine what you want from life.

So are you ready to add physical fitness to your life so you can begin to discover your true dreams?  It is much easier than you think and you don’t need to become an athlete to achieve this either!  I recommend three basic ways to add easy (and inexpensive) exercise to your day (talk with a doctor first if you have not worked out in a while!)

1. Walk – super easy just put on some shoes and hit the road.  Start small if you need to by walking around the block, keeping adding more every week.
2. Yoga – I love yoga as a way to not only get physical activity but to also find mental clarity.  There are enough styles of yoga out there that finding one you like is just a matter of trying different classes!  Try a local studio; buy a DVD or my personal favorite the web!  www.yogatoday.com is full of great teachers and lots of classes.  You can even start with the free class to see if you like it!
3. FitDeck Playing Cards – these cards make working out at home incredibly easy.  I have multiple sets and am always amazed at how fun and easy these cards make exercise! Even my four year old loves to do these with me!

Don’t wait another day, add exercise to your life and find that discovering your happiness is much easier!