Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Mike Burns.
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to’.” ―Lao Tzu
15 years ago, I was overwhelmed.
I was working a ton of hours, trying to establish myself in my career. I was juggling relationships with my wife, my 6 kids, neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. My schedule was pretty cluttered. There was a lot of stuff going on, and not enough time to do it.
My intentions were good. My heart was in the right place. But my life was a whirlwind. I couldn’t catch my breath.
Something had to change. I knew I needed some help.
So, my family began a journey to figure out how we could manage our time well and focus on the things that were most important to us. This pursuit has lasted 15 years (and counting). And it has paid off tremendously!
I can’t say that every day goes exactly according to plan. That’s not even possible. But, I can say, with confidence, that we now live the kind of lives we want to live. We focus our efforts on those things we value most.
We still don’t get everything done. We drop the ball sometimes. But we’re headed in the right direction. We have close, meaningful relationships with people that we love and we’re using our talents and experiences to do things that (we think) have meaning.
Each person’s life looks different. What’s important to me may not be what’s important to you. The “plan of attack” for regaining control of our schedules won’t look the same.
However, if your schedule feels like it’s a bit out of control, there are some universal steps you can take to begin finding a tailor-made approach.
5 Steps to Declutter your Schedule and Live Your Desired Life
1. Acknowledge the fact that you can’t do everything.
We can only do so much. We have unlimited options, but limited resources. We have to make important decisions to eliminate some things. When we’re feeling especially productive and superhuman, we struggle to admit this reality. But, we can’t do it all. We have to remove the clutter.
Clutter is the stuff that interferes with the life we want to live. It slows us down from doing the things we value most. It’s that unnecessary stuff that we entertain, but doesn’t help us get where we want to go. And it needs to be removed.
2. Clarify what’s most important…to you!
The things that are important to you will affect how you make decisions and how you spend your days. If you don’t know where you’re going, why bother establishing a path? Before you start developing a plan, you have to know what you want to accomplish and what rules you will play by. You need a what and a why before you figure out how.
You’ll need clarity in at least 3 important areas:
- What kind of person do you want to be?
- What relationships are most important to you?
- What do you want to accomplish?
3. Determine what you have to do to live for those things.
Once you’ve identified your objective, you can begin to think about how you’ll get there. It is incredibly important to identify your goals and values. But if you don’t take the second step and think about your plan to live up to them, then they are only dreams.
You have to map out a route to your destination. You have to figure out the best way to be and do what you want to be and do. You have to determine what actions will be required and what tools you’ll need to accomplish them. If we don’t, we run the risk of just wandering around through life as a slave to our circumstances.
4. Say “no” to other stuff that hinders you.
It’s not enough to know what things you should do. You also have to get clarity on the types of things you should not do. We’ve already established that our time is limited. We will have to make choices about how we spend our time. We will have say “no” to some things so we can say “yes” to others.
Inevitably, we will face circumstances that could throw us off course and make us want to give up on our dreams. Sometimes, these hindrances are caused by unhealthy behaviors. Sometimes, they are caused by people who want to see us fail. Sometimes, they are caused by good things that aren’t best.
Regardless of what causes the hindrances, we have to pay attention to them and make some decisions about what activities need to get the boot!
5. Find what motivates you and use it.
Study yourself and figure out what makes you tick. What makes you come alive? What makes you feel human and reminds you that you are not just a robot with a job and a checkbook? What tugs at your heart? What reminds you of the things you value most?
It may be: listening to music, blogging, dancing, painting, singing, jogging, lifting weights, or something really random and strange that you just love to do.
It’s okay if it isn’t related to your “greater purpose” or if it even makes sense to other people. If it motivates you (and it’s legal), do it!
Life’s too short to spend our days in constant frustration.
Don’t allow things of lesser importance to rob you of the life you could be living. Take a good look at your life and be honest. Do the work and declutter your schedule. You can do this!
Estelle Callahan says
Thank you so much for reposting on how to declutter your life.
I am retired and most of your points can be beneficial for the retired person also.
I have worked all my life since I was 16 and the transition has been challenging to retire.
Thanks again.
Anne says
I think you could write an article about being selective on what groups / organizations you join. Almost any group you join will ask you to head a committee or volunteer in some way. If it means a lot to you, then great, but if it doesn’t , then you just feel resentful. Even memberships at fancy athletic clubs or country clubs can make you feel guilty for not using them if they are going unused. That is all mental clutter. I have given up a lot of ‘clubs’ and ‘organizations’ because i felt so guilty for not doing more, going more, or participating more. I am happier now doing the things I want to do, not that I feel obligated to do. A simple hike with my family or reading a book makes me happier than most other things.
Michelle says
This is excellent advice. Thanks.
Andy says
Except of course that Lao Tzu never said anything of the like. Made up quotes of the Internet, unite.
Manjunath TS says
Your article made so strong of my belief in living simple. Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts and lifestyle :)
Robert says
Hi Mike’s blog, The other side of complexity, seems to be gone. The link at the end of your article is bringing me to a create your own blog site. If anyone can help me with a new link ID appreciate it.
Thank you Robert.
ren says
I have to be in mood to declutter, goes in phases. November is going to be major cleaning month, in fact I’m going to walk around house with an empty box til it’s full tonight.
ren says
I have to be in mood to declutter, goes in phases. November is going to be major cleaning month, in fact I’m going to walk around house with an empty box til it’s full.
Glamourista says
To me, this is the hardest part of minimalism: learning to not always want to please others by saying yes (and getting some of your time back), but it’s so worth it in the end.
Fiona says
I resigned from one of my jobs this morning. I just read this which confirmed I did the right thing. I’d rather spend time with my family than spend money on them to fill the void of them not having mum here for them. Thank you.
Michele Reynolds says
One of my favorite posts you have ever done and I love them ALL. Thank you.