There are many wonderful people pursuing and promoting simplicity. Fortunately, some of them are gifted in communication and choose to encourage and inspire us with their words. I enjoy reading their perspective. I’m sure you will too.
So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.
Please Stop Complaining About How Busy You Are | Harvard Business Review by Meredith Fineman. We continue to use long hours as a sort of macho badge of honor. We need to work smart, not (just) hard.
Reducing Decisions to Focus Better | Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau. On the relationship between simplicity and focus.
The Abundance of Slowness | Medium by Matt Steel. Super-practical tips to find new slowness and simplicity at work.
The Benefit of Stopping to Smell the Roses | Goins Writer by Jeff Goins. First in a five-part Slow Down Challenge.
You Can’t Have It All, but You Can Have Cake | New York Times by Delia Ephron. “Having it all seems to breed wanting more.”
Image: StephenLukeEdD
Charles says
Great reads! Just finished Matt Steel’s article, but honestly cannot relate. I’m an RN in a busy operating room-it’s all about turnover times and “getting that patient in!”. Having worked in hospitals for the past 25 years I have experienced the shift from caring for patients to productivity and computerization. The journal article writers are the only ones with time to “take care of themselves” and “slow down”. I want to talk less, listen more and slow down-I just can’t figure out how to do this and stay employed as a nurse.
Mr. Everyday Dollar says
The AONC “Reducing Decisions to Focus Better” is excellent! It may seem silly but the fact some of us have daily routines (me: peanut butter and honey sandwich + greek yogurt every day for lunch) really does free up mental cycles for more important decisions and productivity gains.
Faith says
Love these round-up posts, and I just so happened to plop down to read them with a big cuppa in hand! I just started a new job and need to remember that complaining about how hard/crappy/busy I am is not a good way to keep enjoying what I am doing and to make others around me feel more positive. It’s so important!
Jonathan W says
The HBR post is a good one. “Work smart, not (just) hard.” Good advice. For the type of creative work many of us are doing, working longer just doesn’t add enough value. People who are feeling “buried” often lack to the mental bandwidth necessary for real creative breakthroughs. I’ll take a look at the other articles. Thanks for sharing!
Lyle @ The Joy of Simple says
Hey Joshua and thanks for sharing the links to some great reading! I read the Delia Ephron piece earlier this week and loved it. A fun, informative and very insightful read without beating the main idea over your head.
I look forward to reading the other articles :)
Thanks again and take care. All the best.
Lyle
Vincent says
Read the HBR’s article on complaining about busyness and it was shared by everyone! It’s a great read and I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn’t already seen it.
I’ll check out the two links that I haven’t already read. Thanks as always, Joshua!
Mr Minimal says
Nice Articles… Very Inspiring
Joan says
Coffee in hand and ready to peruse. Thank you!
Ms. Minimal says
Excellent coffee time reading, thanks so much for sharing.
Namaste,
Ms. Minimal
Jo@simplybeingmum says
Looking forward to grabbing my ipad and a coffee and checking these out…