Living Smaller

"He did each single thing as if he did nothing else."
 - Charles Dickens

Multi-tasking is vastly over-rated.  By focusing on one thing at a time, we can give that person, task or responsibility the attention and value that it/they deserve.  The only way to do this is by eliminating distractions.  Lately, I have been doing so.  I keep only one tab open online.  I changed the settings on my instant messenger services so that they do not log me in automatically.  For now, I have deactivated Facebook.  I consider that temporary, as it has become one of the best ways to keep in touch with friends.  For now though, I needed a break. 

By continuing to minimize my time and commitments online and in the real world, I can focus more effectively on what I do care about.  My work is more productive.  I write more.  I read more.  I box and run more.  I brew beer.  I make soap.  When I talk to my family, I only talk to my family.

Less is More, and other Hippy Shit

I recently read Leo Babauta's "The Power of Less."  Actually, I listened to the audio book, for those who may feel that the distinction is important.  This is not a full review, but there were a few important points that I wanted to touch on.  The main themes include minimalism, frugality, simplicity; all of which appeal to me these days. 

My caveat about recommending the book is that I sincerely feel that Babauta often gives advice on topics that he is far from an expert on.  His suggestions on how to handle email or projects would have gotten me fired at any employer I have worked for.  His tips on fitness, nutrition and excercise are dubious at best, and certainly aim at the lowest common denominator of health levels.  During these sections, I found myself wishing that he would stick to what he is an expert in. 

With that bet well-hedged, I will say that he has some excellent tips on goal-setting.  Like many people I know, I will get my head and heart all a'flutter with a million things to work on, improve, and adopt.  I want to accomplish literally hundreds of goals, and I want to work on them all NOW.  The inevitable failure is spectacular, my good intentions blown to smithereens, and the resulting disappointment leaving me gasping for breath and rocking on my heels in the living room.  Babauta's advice is simple, as one would expect from the book's title.  One goal at a time.  This actually works.  Determining and focusing on one major goal at a time allows you to give it complete attention.  I started the month with a gameplan for the goal, am sticking to it, and write/journal about it at the end of the day.  When temptation inevitably comes, I find it much easier to stay strong, as I remind myself that this is the ONLY thing I HAVE to be disciplined about for now. 

As it currently stands, I plan on focusing on one major goal per month.  After 30-31 days of completely prioritizing that one thing, my feeling/hope is that a habit has been developed, and I can relegate it to "maintenance status."  I can then pour my energy into the next area. 

Heres my current schedule...at least, as I see it today.

September - Private Goal
October - Becoming an early-riser
November - Minimizing time spent on social media

If you read Babauta's book, you will find at least a few tips that should make a positive difference in your life, assuming of couse that you actually put them into practice.  That being said, much of the content seems to be recycled, such as the productivity tips that seem to be borrowed straight from David Allen's "Getting Things Done."  I found it to be worth a read despite this, as the goal-setting sections alone were worth the time invested. 

The Great Book-Burning of 2010

I have been reading about the social movements of simplicity, minimalism and frugality lately.  The most influential book on the subject has been "The Circle of Simplicity," by Cecile Andrews, and was recommended to me by the Momma.

I was initially drawn to these ideas as a way to save money, but it has become quite a bit more than that.  I have always had a bit of distaste for the idea of shopping as a "hobby," and I never considered myself someone who had much of a need for "things."  After being inspired to go through all of my stuff and considering where I can reduce, I realize I am almost as guilty of consumerism as the girl with 20 pairs of shoes in her closet.  I just have different things that I spend money on.  Specifically, my search turned up four different pairs of boxing gloves, three different sets of sparring head gear, a pair of snow-shoes that I have used once, a snowboard that I have used once, a microwave that I never use, and most obvious, hundreds of books that I will not be reading again.

Getting rid of the books caused the most heartache.  I like having lots of books because it does good things for my self-esteem. 

See all those books?  Obviously, I am a learned and well-educated fellow, someone who probably has all sorts of interesting things to talk about.

I finally came to the realization that keeping all these books did not make those statements true or untrue.  If I read them, then I read them, and I do not need to keep them there as trophies to impress others (or myself.)  I was able to sell about 15 of them to a used bookstore for $40 (which really shows how much of a waste of money new books are), and most of the rest are going to be donated to my local library.  I am keeping one large shelf full of books that I have either not read yet or have not yet finished.  I will give myself until the end of the year, and then will get rid of anything that remains.

There are some books that I am keeping forever.  Some are very important to me, and I will be reading them again and again.  Others have good information or quotes in them that I often use for reference.  These will be spared.  More than anything, I am attempting to reduce the hold these objects have on me.  They are NOT symbols of my intelligence, nor an indicator of my worth.  They are only valuable for the information and stories within their pages, and I can access them for free at the library (almost) any time that I want.  Obviously, what comes with this purging is an emphasis on not buying new books to replace these in the future. 

Reducing the amount of things that I own allows me to refocus on people and experiences instead of material objects.  I think that I do this more than most already, but I can absolutely improve. 

I found it interesting, but I have been trying to define what living a "rugged life" means lately, and I have several drafts that haven't quite felt right.  Then I read this: "[Focusing on experience is] the core of the spiritual life - it is awe, wonder, and delight.  It is the path that brings us a feeling of life, the rekindling of our spirit, the sense of being on fire with excitement about life."

Sounds about right to me.