Essentialism: how to restore order in his life and throw out all unnecessary

Imagine that your life and career - a wardrobe. Then things stored there, - a list of daily tasks and responsibilities. If you're like most people, it is likely, in your closet too much. This sweater you never wear, a few pairs of old pants left for walks in the woods (you really so often go looking for mushrooms?), And the hat store all of sentimentality. Whether it is time to do spring cleaning?

Throw out of his closet and from his life all unnecessary. A few tips from the book by Greg McKeon "Essentialism"This will help.

What's a essentialism?

Essentialism (from the Latin. essentia - the essence) - the constant search for less, but better.

Essentialists path teaches us to see what is really important, that is, to consider all the options and choose only the most valuable. And remember: Sometimes what you do not do is as important as what you do.

So, down to business!

1. Do not forget about the freedom of choice

Have you thought about what you do not like your job? Or maybe you third year studying to be a lawyer, though long understood that the law does not interest you?

Ask yourself the question: "Can I make a difference?". Answer: of course.

Remember, you always have the right to choose. Once you realize you can proceed to the next step.

2. Put clear objectives

Around and about - not the same thing, that loud and clear. Vague wording of the company's mission can harm the working process more than you think. This causes disorientation in the group: No one knows what exactly is and what it does. Employees spend too much energy on minor tasks, forgetting the main thing.

The same thing happens with every person. Try to articulate what you want to achieve in your career and personal life. This will determine how you will act. Realizing his true desires and values, you will no longer be wasted on something that you do not need.

3. Be the editor of his life

Italian sculptor Michelangelo said: "I take a stone and cut off all unnecessary." This is exactly what you should do with your life.

Another interesting comparison:

Imagine your life - this is an article in the journal, and you - the editor in chief. You know how the editor will go with everything unnecessary, unimportant, meaningless distraction? That's right - strike out.

You may have dozens of prospects, but do not grasp at every chance. She chooses one - the one you really are willing to devote themselves. If we go back to our cabinet, admitted that he could without much damage to get rid of 90% of the trash.

4. Repudiate

Have you ever played a game of chance and, having spent a considerable amount could not say to yourself "stop"? The point is sunk costs. Most people find it hard to give up on what they have already invested, time and energy.

But is it worth to persist and to make further efforts if it is clear that no future project? Of course no. Do not fall into this trap, learning time refuse from its obligations.

Another pitfall - the effect of ownership. When we are engaged in some project, then we perceive it as their own, and thus estimate is much higher than it is actually worth.

Always ask yourself, "If this problem does not belong to me, to which I would be willing to get it?".

So you will see the true value of things and be able to give it, if the game is not worth the candle.

5. Say a decisive "no"

Have you ever in spite of their wishes to answer "yes" to the request of colleagues, friends, family? If you have never had one - you are an exception. As a rule, we are afraid to offend someone, shy before the chief and try not to disappoint people. But this leads to the fact that we are missing something more important: their own lives.

We need to learn how to become courageous and say "no". If you are going to devote a weekend family should not accept an offer to work at the boss on Saturday. If you were planning to write the first chapter of his book - refuse to meet with friends. Perhaps you will experience a moment of awkwardness, responding to failure. But it's just a minute. You do not want to lose the evening, a few days or even a year of his life, solving other people's problems?

6. Use the rule of 90%

This rule should be applied in any situation choice. Assessing any option, think about the most important criteria and put his points from 0 to 100. If any of the options to obtain an estimate of less than 90 - forget about it. So you save yourself from doubt and immediately drop the extra alternatives are rated 60 to 70. Choose not a good opportunity, and beautiful. How many things in your wardrobe, you would appreciate by 90 points or more? The rest of the time to a landfill.

7. Find a place for reflection

The Stanford School of Design there is a secret hideout - "booth-noir". It's a tiny room, in which there are no windows or objects, distracting, and the walls are covered with sound-absorbing material. There may come any student to be alone and think.

Try to find such a place where you can be alone and think calmly. There you will fully concentrate on the problem, analyze all the alternatives, identify the most important of them and take an important decision.

Essentialists prefer to do less today to perform a lot more tomorrow. Yes, this is a concession. But the sum of these small concessions lead to great success.

Based on the book by Greg McKeon 'essentialism'.

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