Your Simpler Life Blog

Improving Credit Card Debt in One Simple Step - Debt Consolidate it!<

2006-10-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

If you have the credit card blues, a credit card debt consolidation loan will not only save you money but it can also reduce your debt. A debt consolidation loan will help you to pay off your debt in installments through a credit card debt consolidation plan.

Unsecured credit card debt can have very high interest rates. It is not unusual for a credit card to have an interest rate of 12.96 percent to 41 percent. It’s recommended to shop around for the lowest rate possible. The lower the interest rate, the more money you will be able save.

Credit card debt consolidation is for those have high credit card balances. This service actually will combine all of debtors credit card balances so that they can make one monthly payment.

Payment Plans that Help Reduce a Persons Debt

Debt consolidation allows a person to have greater flexibility with their payment schedule. Many people do not realize that the longer it takes a person to repay a debt on a credit card, the more interest will build up. When credit card interest builds up, the debtor has to pay out more money. So, a person is actually paying almost double, if not more, than the purchase that was originally charged with the credit card. Fortunately, a person doesn’t have to settle for paying high interest credit card debts for the rest of their lives. Debt consolidation is the first step to getting persons finances back on track and the next step towards financial freedom.

Another smart option is to apply for a long-term loan rather than actually consolidating the debt. This will stop a person from becoming enslaved by monthly credit card debt payments.

Many people do not realize that lower interest rates on credit cards can be secured with collateral. Those who do not own property a personal loan is the next best option.

When shopping around, make sure that you keep a careful look at the current APR. By looking at the APR, this will help one to calculate the cost of their loan payments. Smart credit card shoppers do not grab the first credit card that they see. Many people automatically assume that they have to stand on long lines at the bank or call the bank only to be placed on hold for several minutes. The fastest and one of the most reliable ways to shop around for the best interest rates is to search on the Internet. As you are conducting your search you and when you find a website, you can request an online quote. A representative will normally get back to you immediately or within a few short hours. After receiving your best credit card quote, you may simply choose the best credit card offer.

The author is owner & operator of several successful credit sites. For more info & resources visit:
Bad Credit Credit Cards or:
Credit Cards For Bad Credit

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_C._Hendrickson

Fitness Made Simple: Stair Sprinting

2006-08-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

By Paul J Bryant

Anybody can lose weight; it’s no big deal. You only have to be careful about the food you eat and to make more effort than you usually do. Dieting doesn’t have to mean food deprivation and money spent on gym subscriptions. You can keep your body in shape with simple exercises that do not require gym equipment or professional advice and supervision. If you’re also using a dietary supplement like ProShaperx, losing weight will be the simplest thing in the world.

A simple exercise that anybody can perform at home or the park is called Stair Sprinting. The name is pretty self explanatory. All you have to do is run up and down the stairs between several floors; the more floors, the better off you’ll be.

It’s a good idea to start small, even if you’re in a good physical condition. Run up and down four floors two times. First timers and overweight people are unlikely to manage more than two reps anyway. However, it’s no big deal if you can’t do more than two reps in the beginning. Resistance to effort is built in time. Do the two reps every other day for two weeks.

After two weeks increase the number of reps to either three or four, depending on how you feel. If you can take four reps up and down four flights of stairs, then by all means do so. If you can’t, then stick to three reps. As the weeks go by, you can add even more reps to your routine in order to increase your endurance and to really put the muscles to work.

This exercise is perfect for the legs and ass. Ladies and gents looking to build shapely asses and strong thighs ought to try stair sprinting. Having to carry your own weight up the stairs instead of flat terrain puts more stress on the muscles and helps the feet gain more endurance. However, be very careful when doing this exercise. Running up and down the stairs makes it very easy to trip or miss a step and splay an ankle. Even more serious injuries might happen if you’re not careful enough.

For more information on how you can lose weight more effectively yet completely naturally, please visit http://www.proshaperx.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_J_Bryant

How To Live A Simple Life

2006-07-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

How To Live A Simple Life
By Steven Gillman

In many ways, you probably know how to live a simple life, but do you want to? Many want the complexity and constant drama of their lives. This is something we each have to look at honestly. However, some of us really want simplicity, and some would want it if they knew what it felt like to live more simply and at peace. Here are a few ways to get there.

Just Say No ... Or Say Yes

An important secret to how to live a simple life is to learn to look honestly at how life gets complicated. This may be different for each of us, but there are some common habits we share. One such habit is taking on new responsibilities without fully acknowledging the costs and complexities they add to our lives.

When a man buys a boat, for example, does he usually think about the time he will spend maintaining it and cleaning it? Does he think about the trip to the insurance office for insurance, the necessity to shop for accessories like life-jackets and fire extinguishers? Does he remind himself that boats break down, and he'll have to deal with hauling it someplace to have it repaired? Does he consider the trailer-hitch he'll need, the tarp to cover the boat, the tarp to replace that one when it tears, the bearings in the trailer wheels that will someday fail. Finally, Does he think about the hours he will be committed to working to pay for all this fun?

It isn't about the boat, by the way. There's nothing wrong with owning a boat. With nothing else was going on in his life, all of the above could easily be a part of "the simple life." Hwever, when we don't honestly recognize the role of our own choices in adding complexity to our lives, we take on more than we can possibly handle. As a result, a million exercise devices sit unused in basements while ten million hours are spent working to pay for them. Look honestly at all the costs, and make well-informed choices - this is the first secret of how to live a simple life.

Money Brings Simplicity - Or Complexity

Isn't it simple for a rich man to own a boat? He can just pay someone to take care of it while he plays with his kids. Money can bring simplicity to your life, but it's all in how you use it. This is the second important secret of how to live a simple life.

People use money in ways that overly complicate life, as when they put a down payment on a hot tub that they really don't need. Then they have to work to pay the interest, they have to clean the tub, find a place for it, and have it repaired. Of course, if you are wealthy enough, someone will take care of these things for you. However, if you make $8 per hour, a hot tub will almost certainly overly complicate your life.

If you really want the simple life, the choice then is to make more money, or live a life that is simply supported by your current income. After I paid off the mortgage loan on my first home, and got rid of the car, life became simpler and more relaxing. As I make more money, I can easily add more "things" back into my life, while keeping it simple, as long as I maintain the balance.

Drama Adds Complexity

For a simpler life, have fewer friends. This may sound harsh, but how many friends do you need? Don't get rid of true friends, but don't add people to your life unless there is a real exchange of value between you. We all have acquaintances we call "friends" and yet only tolerate just to "be nice." Do you think it is selfish to say you don't owe anything to these people? Then how selfish is it for them to say you do?

With friends and family, don't get involved in the drama more than you need to. Watch closely, and you'll see that until a person is ready to change, you rarely can help them in any case, neither with words nor with money. Save your efforts for when you truly can help. You weren't born with an obligation to anyone, and it's incredibly selfish for anyone to make such claims on your life. Let the drama swirl around you, but don't get involved in it. This is a crucial lesson on how to live a simple life.

Steve Gillman has been exploring new ideas for decades. Visit his site for invention ideas, business ideas, story ideas, political and economic theories, deep thoughts, and more. Get a free gift too: New Ideas (http://www.999ideas.com)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman

Why Get organized? 8 Simple Reasons

2006-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Why Get organized? 8 Simple Reasons
By Catherine Anderson

More Time.

Good records provide facts necessary to shorten the time it takes to do almost anything. Easily resolve an issue, file insurance claims, collect government benefits, prepare income tax returns,order a pizza or find something when you need it.

More Money.

Good records provide proof of agreements made and costs paid. Spend less replacing things you misplaced or repairing things you never had time to maintain.

Less Chaos.

If or when someone makes a mistake or official records are lost or destroyed, your records may be needed to support claims. Because nobody is perfect, keeping good records verifies agreements, transactions, ownership and personal wishes.

Emergency Preparation.

In the event of an accident or emergency, good records support personal information, financial and health history and ownership. Provide medical professionals information that may be critical to your care or the care of a loved one.

Income Tax Support.

Uncle Sam makes it your responsibility to supply proof to support tax returns. Keeping good records substantiate your tax deductions.

Identity and Financial Protection.
Banks and others make it your responsibility to clear up debt with all financial accounts in your name, whether you created the account or not. Keeping good records helps make this overwhelming task a bit more bearable.

Ownership Protection.

Keeping good records provides the support necessary to settle estates, file for insurance claims or express wishes regarding ownership transfer.

Goals and Personal Support.

Keeping good records provides all the details necessary to help you ponder and achieve life's dreams.

Catherine Anderson is a designer and creator of JOYS™ household notebook and home filing system exclusively available at http://www.justorganizeyourstuff.com JOYS™ purpose is to provide products and insight to help people organize their papers and manage their lives.

Organize life to enjoy life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Anderson

50 Ideas to Organize Your Home

2006-07-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

50 Ideas to Organize Your Home
By Lesley Dietschy

“Organize” is a familiar word heard on many of today’s popular decorating shows. Every family has its struggles with some type of clutter whether it is stacks of papers or a cluttered and cramped bathroom. In fact, the National Association of Professional Organizers reports that 80% of what we keep we never use, we wear 20% of the clothes we own while the other 80% hangs there just in case, and 25% of adults say they pay bills late because they lost them.

If you have stacks of papers, frazzled mornings, or lost car keys, use the following ideas to help you organize your family and home.

Evenings/Mornings:

1. If you have rushed mornings, make lunches, set out clothes, and put everything you need for the next day in a designated area the night before. Have kids pack homework and books in their backpack so they will be ready for the next day.

2. Place your purse, briefcase and keys in a designated area every day so you always know where they are.

3. Decide the night before what is on the menu for breakfast the next morning. If the family is to have cereal, set out the cereal boxes, bowls, and spoons.

4. Make a “to do” list for the next day and organize it according to what task needs to be completed first.

5. Fill the gas tank the day before so you won’t have to worry about getting gas if you are running late the next morning.

Bathrooms:

6. To organize countertop clutter, purchase a plastic tub with a handle on top. Place all of your accessories such as hair spray and lotion, in the tub and place under the counter. Take the tub out when you are ready to use it and then put it back under the counter when you are finished with it.

7. To organize your shower, buy shower caddies to place your soaps and shampoos in. There are numerous styles available in many discount and fine department stores.

8. To help keep your shower doors clean, buy a water squeegee (like you use on your windows) and place it in the shower. When you are done taking a shower just wipe down the doors with the squeegee and you’ll have a clean and dry shower door. Many of the squeegees come with a whole in the handle, which is convenient for hanging it up in the shower with a suction cup.

9. Install a straight magnet in your medicine cabinet for tweezers, nail clippers, and scissors.

10. Store reading material in a decorative magazine rack. As you add new magazines, throw away the older ones to keep the magazine rack from overflowing.

11. Throw away items in your bathroom that are old or you don’t use anymore, such as make-up, lotions, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, old razors, sunscreen, and perfume.

12. If you are out of space in your bathroom cabinets for towels, roll them up and display them in a decorative basket next to the shower or bath tub.

13. Install hooks on the back of your bathroom door or wall space for towels and robes.

14. Use drawer organizers for makeup, jewelry, ponytail holders, and other loose items.

15. Place a shelving unit above the toilet for storing extra towels, washcloths, and other accessories.

16. Put a clock in each bathroom so everyone can be on time.

Closet:

17. Place baskets in your closet for laundry and dry cleaning.

18. Sort through your clothes and anything you don’t wear anymore, bag and donate to a local charity. This includes clothes that are no longer in fashion, no longer fit, or clothes you haven’t worn in a year. Also, get rid of those worn out and/or uncomfortable shoes you no longer wear.

19. Separate your clothes by season. If you have a tall closet with several rows of rods, place current seasons clothes on the lowest level and move out of season clothes on the tallest rods.

20. Categorize your clothes by purpose, such as work, casual, and formal.

21. Gather all unused wire hangers and take them to the dry cleaners to recycle.

22. Hang scarves on a hanger or scarf rack. Also, hang belts and ties on hangers or racks.

23. Use a shoe rack to keep shoes organized and throw out shoe boxes that clutter the floor.

24. Install hooks on the closet wall to hang up hats and purses.

25. Store clothes that you want to save in a vacuum sealed plastic bag. These bags pack down for storing under the bed or in a closet. Remember to save only the clothes that you think will be worn!

Kitchen:

26. Organize your cabinets into several categories such as plates, glasses, Tupperware, kid’s plates and sippy cups. Place the plates on one shelf, the glasses on another shelf, and so on. This way when you empty the dishwasher, you or other family members will always know where everything goes.

27. Group your foods together in the pantry for easy access and to help you identify when inventory is getting low. For example, group together your canned goods, cereals, pasta, etc.

28. Place all packets (gravy, Jell-O, sauces) in a basket and place on shelf.

29. Purchase a spice rack that works best for your cabinet. Alphabetize your spices and place frequently used spices on the front of the rack and all others towards the back of the rack.

30. For all of those plastic containers and Tupperware items, dedicate one cabinet or drawer for those items and try to purchase stackable containers to maximize your space.

31. Save your countertop space for items you use daily. Only display cookbooks that you really use and if possible store your canister set in your pantry instead of on the counter.

32. If you have a collection of clipped recipes that are filling drawers and countertop space, purchase a three-ring binder in a color that matches your decor, a box of plastic sheet protectors (to protect your recipes), paper, and a set of dividers with tabs. Glue each recipe onto a piece of paper (use front and back of each piece of paper) and then place into a sheet protector. Categorize recipes (breakfast, desert, etc.), label the tabs, and place recipes in binder. Additional tip, if you purchase a binder that has pockets, store clipped recipes that you want to try in the pockets before adding them to your collection.

33. Do you have mounds of plastic bags from the grocery store? Place about 10 bags inside of 1 bag and throw the rest away. You can always get more the next time you go to the grocery store.

34. Get in a habit of cleaning out your refrigerator every time you bring home groceries. Dispose of any food that is no longer edible or your family is not going to eat.

Kid’s Room:

35. In a boy’s room, put a basketball hoop over a laundry basket for slam-dunking dirty clothes.

36. Place a two-compartment hamper in your kid’s room so he or she can sort light clothes from dark clothes as they undress.

37. String a clothesline in your child’s room and have your child clothespin his or her favorite artwork.

38. Hang a fish net from the ceiling to store stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures.

39. Add a bookshelf and help your child organize their books.

40. Buy the kids their own alarm clocks and teach them how to get up on time.

Misc.

41. Make sure everything in your house has a home. Teach all family members to mind their own messes. For example, if you take it out, put it back; if you open it, close it; if you throw it down, pick it up; if you make a mess, clean it up; and so on.

42. Put wastebaskets in every room and place several unused trash bags in the bottom of each one. This will eliminate countless trips to retrieve new trash bags and give all family members a place to throw away their trash.

43. Place a decorative basket on the coffee table to keep remote controls in.

44. Use a plastic caddy (instead of shelf space) to store cleaning supplies in and tote it from room to room.

45. Keep baskets or tubs for toys in every room for fast pickup and play time.

46. For kids’ outdoor toys, purchase a weatherproof, bench-style storage box and store toys inside. Also, gather all outdoor balls and place into a large, mesh drawstring bag and store in garage.

47. Each night before bedtime, have all family members pick up clutter for 15 minutes. Make a game out of it and see who can pick up the most things in the shortest amount of time.

48. Create a family message center on the refrigerator or other prominent place and use it for shopping lists, reminders, calendars, and phone messages.

49. Make a master grocery list on your computer from a spreadsheet or Word document. Categorize the groceries into sections such as frozen, dairy, and so on. In each category, list the most frequent items that you buy. Organize the grocery list according to the way your favorite grocery store’s isles are set up. Print copies and keep one copy handy for the current week. When you see you are low on a product or you’re preparing your grocery list for the week, simply highlight whatever items you need. Keep the document current by adding new items and/or deleting items you no longer buy. Also, create a space on the document for Misc. items where your family members can write down what they need that is not on your list.

50. Create an in box on your desk for papers (bills, permission slips, etc.) that need your attention.

The goal of organizing isn’t to make your home pristine but rather to make your life more calm and functional. Work with the above ideas and you will end up having less clutter, a simplified home, more quality time for yourself and your family, and improved productivity.

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange and the Home & Garden Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and a shopping marketplace. The Home & Garden Exchange website is a link exchange program and directory dedicated to the home and garden industry, as well as offering free website content and promotional ideas. Please visit both websites for all of your home, garden, and website needs.

http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley_Dietschy

Simplify Your Life - Revealing 5 Strategies to Own Your Life

2006-07-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Simplify Your Life - Revealing 5 Strategies to Own Your Life
By Kunbi Korostensky

Do you own your life or does it own you?

If you're struggling with your life, this could be an indication that you're making your life much too difficult than it needs to be.

You're here to live a life of joy and abundance. To experience a rich inner life of recognition and inspiration which should translate into your outer world.

If this is not the case, you can redirect the course of your life by applying these 5 proven strategies.

1. Live fully in the present. Simplify your life by living consciously in the moment. The present has so much to offer you. It is in the present that you can lay the foundation for the rewards of your dreams in the future, not in the past. To do this, bestir yourself sufficiently in the right way by taking one step at a time.

To live fully in the present, you need to experience every minute of your life inwardly and not just outwardly. This means, grasping aright deeply within yourself the experience of the moment before moving on. This safeguards against taking on too much at any time and getting overwhelmed. Which often develops into struggle.

2. Do what comes naturally to you. Get into the habit of first doing what comes naturally to you and polishing it up. When you do this often enough, in time you'll be able to handle other difficult matters with lesser efforts.

This is because your becoming disciplined and adept in one area of your life, equipes you with the necessary tools to tackle other challenging areas more effectively. The result is greater competence and deeper satisfaction.

3. Have a heart full of joy and appreciation. A joyful and appreciating heart has no room for fear. Fear is always an indication of a sense of lack. This could be conscious or subconscious.

I have observed that people whose hearts surge with joy of deep appreciation and gratitude feel only love. Even in the face of grave calamity, as in the case of bereavement, there are always things you could be grateful for. Like taking comfort in knowing that the you are never alone. Something I was vividly reminded of when I suddenly lost my own mother.

4. Move with ease into any change as a natural happening. Life IS. Meaning, it is in constant motion. To own your life, you need to accept this fact. Trying to evade or to negate changes is the least smart way of becoming masterful at the game of life.

A question for you. Can you stop the sun from shinning after a raging storm or stop the dawn of a new day breaking in at the end of the night? Right. You can see how ludricous my question is. This is to underline the foolishness of wanting to control the cycle of changes in your life at any time. It simply is impossible and only results in more struggles.

The wisest thing to do is to stay open for changes and deal with them when they appear. Remember the expression never to go looking for trouble, it will find you? So just be in the NOW!

5. Trust and follow your intuition to the letter. Residing within you is a wealth of knowledge. The key to unlocking this treasure is your intuitive power. People who have learned to access their intuition before making any decision live in harmony with their environment.

My own life completely changed from second guessing myself when I truly began to listen to my intuition. I now have a sense of profound joy and clarity as I remain congruent with my values. The more you learn to trust and follow your intuition, the more control you'll have over your life.

What you thereby gain are strong emotional balance, mental and psychic alertness to guide you to a life of bliss and prosperity.

As you can see, you don't have to become enslaved to your life. For life is meant to be simple, provided you become aware of what is wrong and change it.

Kunbi Korostensky, N.D., Psychotherapist and Certified Life Coach is specialised in supporting people in transition, turn the changes in their lives into invigorating joy and happiness. View her ebooklet Top 10 holistic Questions to Embrace Change and Grow at http://www.embracingchanges.com/Books-and-Tools-to-facilitate-Changes.html or mailto: kunbi@embracingchanges.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kunbi_Korostensky

Yoga: Simplify Your Life<

2006-07-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yoga: Simplify Your Life
By Michael Russell

The thought that life can be simple for many of us is a hope and a dream that we can't afford to wait to happen. We have to make an effort towards it. And as many would agree, it starts with avoiding the pains, problems and frustrations of disease by changing to habits which result in good health. It is only in good health that life seems worth living anyway.

No matter how much we would want to rely upon outside influences, people, doctors or medicines, we all begin to realize, more than ever before, that we each have to do our part in building and maintaining our own health. This has to be done in spite of so many factors that are against us, such as environmental pollution, water problems, chemicals in food and many others.

Hygiene was once a very basic and important health measure to avoid contagion of every kind. That laxity that now exists throughout many medical institutes and hospitals and also out in the community is quite distressing and makes good community health even more difficult. But it remains first on the agenda of yogic disciplines.

Most of us realize that the simple life is usually the healthiest and that it is sensible to eat healthy fresh, natural food and to avoid the processed and refined commercial products, each of which usually contains chemicals and preservatives one would not choose to eat - that is, if we read the label! Anyway there is nothing as enjoyable as simple fresh food prepared in the home kitchen.

Exercise is a bit of a problem but we are generally fortunate to have access to health farms and fitness establishments that encourage exercise. Body building also encourages us to exercise, as well as the local walks and our yogic exercise disciplines. But we never seem to be able to do enough exercise as there never seems to be enough time. We must make time!

We know to breathe deeply to get enough oxygen for our body cells. But pollution of the atmosphere in the cities and suburbs makes it more difficult particularly for those who already suffer from asthma. So we have to practice yogic breathing exercises in the best possible outdoor situation we can manage as it is inadvisable to practice in air conditioned environments. Yoga teaching gives breathing deeply and gaining control of the breath top priority. It's interesting to discover how much more control of the breath and how much more energy we seem to have after practicing for a few weeks.

We may have forgotten to consider the importance of an erect body posture when walking, sitting or at times of rest but through practicing the Yoga asanas one becomes very much more aware that the body can only function well if the vital organs are not under constant pressure. So we begin to stand tall.

So it seems for improved health and as a simple natural health insurance program, we should consider hygiene, fresh food diet, body posture, exercise and our breathing habits. To these well known factors, the yogic teaching adds an occasional fast, the addition of herbs as food supplements, some special body postures or asanas to improve health problems and the practice of relaxation.

But these relate to physical health measures to help us feel vital.

What about the psychological factors which will help us to feel happy?

In yoga classes we are taught how to relax our minds and bodies for two reasons. One is to become free of stresses and strains. The other is to enjoy a whole range of pleasant moods and feelings when we are quiet and there is nothing to do. We begin to be aware of other parts of our nature that have been neglected because of our constant activity.

Relaxing out on the floor isn't as difficult as it sounds, in fact it becomes quite comfortable after getting used to being without mattress and pillow! When you lie there with your eyes closed instead of going to sleep as is tempting sometimes, you feel so calm and almost floating and it is so pleasant you seem to be all feeling instead of thinking - just by lying still! It's much better than taking sedatives.

Meditation is a kind of relaxation for the mind but we have to sit upright to do this. Some people cant manage to sit cross legged, in fact not many are able to in a class, but classes have alternative positions and they can find one that's suitable. Then we do the same thing, keeping still, shutting our eyes, breathing rhythmically and when we get tired of that just sit there a little longer and it feels really pleasant. You'll even stop thinking about whether you left the gate open and other things that generally come into your mind. You may like to practice this at home.

Somehow when we are relaxed we begin to feel more content. Then we begin to think more clearly in deciding what we really want with our lives. Then we find we have the energy and vitality needed to go ahead and do it. In living fully, we realize that we are happy. It is simple!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Yoga

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

The Best Way To Simplify Your Life

2006-07-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

The Best Way To Simplify Your Life
By Annie Kaszina

Back in my outside catering days, I always used to like a challenge. Either I’d contract to produce dishes that were technically difficult for the numbers involved, or else I’d agree to something when I had no idea how I could possibly manage it.

I saw it as a way of constantly raising my game. It exercised my mind (gave me the odd nightmare) and meant that I was forever wresting success from the jaws of failure, arms plunged deep into great mounds of foodstuffs, the air blue with expletives.

Yet, in some ways the hardest thing I ever did was to produce devilled eggs for 120 people. Technically, it couldn’t have been simpler: hard boil eggs, make filling, stuff eggs and serve.

In fact the sheer simplicity of it was the problem. You can use complexity both to mask flaws and as a means of evading issues.

The thing about the eggs was this: they were either right or they were wrong; the shell either came off neatly or the whites looked as if a rat had nibbled them; you either shaved a tiny layer off the rounded base of each half or they skeetered across plates with an alarming propensity to nose-dive onto the floor.

Life is like that. It’s not easy, but it is simple; or at least it can be. What’s the difference, you might ask? The two words are often used more or less interchangeably, but their opposites are not synonyms. The opposite of easy is difficult, whereas the opposite of simple is complex.

We tend to assume that life is complex, but it doesn’t have to be. It is always our response to life and, more specifically, the problems that confront us, that make for the difficulty.

Human beings are easily paralysed by indecision. We have the intellectual capacity to entertain various different thoughts and points of view about a single situation; and we do so more or less simultaneously. Sometimes these thoughts and points of view are not even our own. They’ve been programmed into us, at some point, by a Significant Other. Yet they can clamour so much louder than our own thoughts as to drown them out.

When this happens we waste enormous quantities of time and energy going round in ever decreasing circles before we arrive at a decision. What’s more, that decision may well be the thing we first thought of, but were discouraged from implementing by all the other thoughts and viewpoints that we gave ‘headspace’ to.

Sharon, my little furry canine guru with the big brown eyes is rarely given to indecision. Generally she is a concrete thinker, who quickly weighs up a situation and proceeds to take appropriate action - except when things get truly complicated. As a puppy, when she occasionally visited my Alexander training school, extraordinary events would sometimes faze her.

The Alexander ‘juggling’ sessions were particularly baffling for her – as they would have been for any onlooker. In these sessions students threw juggling balls up into the air, and let them drop to the floor if the balls did not fall directly back down into their hands.

For Sharon it was most problematic. She would observe intently, start towards one ball, then hear another fall and another, until she did not know where to start. Not unlike most humans.

But Sharon has a small mouth and a quick spirit. She isn’t given to “what if’s” and “ah but’s”, so she would act on the two certainties she had: first, that she could only pick up one ball at a time and, second, that she stood to miss out all the way round if she did nothing.

Sharon was well aware of the pitfalls of inaction. Instead she would focus on one ball, swiftly move into action and visit the force of her small, furry personality on that ball.

How many humans are as quick to register that doing nothing can be just as harmful as doing something rash? And why does a quick decision have to be rash?

The point is; life becomes complicated and confusing when we try to chase a number of balls simultaneously. When we focus on one at a time, we stand the best chance of dealing with it effectively and then turning our attention to the next one.

Simplicity is opting for one course of action at any given time and following through.

When you do that, what happens to all the other problems clamouring for your attention? Strange to say, a lot of them seem either to fade away or to resolve themselves.

By opting for a single course of action you sweep away the fertile soil of uncertainty in which anxieties, doubts and problems proliferate. In other words, you simplify things down to manageable proportions.

You may not have it in your power to make life easy, but it’s well within your power to simplify it.

An NLP Practitioner and Women's Empowerment Coach, Annie specialises in helping women heal the trauma of the past, so they can enjoy the present and look forward to the future.

Email:annie@joyfulcoaching.com To subscribe to Annie's twice monthly ezine, or order her eBook 'The Woman You Want To Be, go: to http://www.joyfulcoaching.com

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Simplify - and Be Happy

2006-06-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Simplify - and Be Happy
By Megan Tough

People’s lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do lists, errands, things we should do, things we could do, duties and obligations. No surprise then, that many of us feel
we barely have time to do the things we have to do (or think we have to do), let alone spare time for fitting in anything extra.

Why do we insist on keeping ourselves so busy? We have trained ourselves to believe that to be busy improves our chances of success in this world. The “no pain, no gain” mentality. Also, our minds love to be active. For many high achieving types, taking “mental time out” is tantamount to laziness!

Being busy is not necessarily a bad thing – often we accomplish a lot in our busy lives. But when we get to a point where the level of activity is running our lives, it’s time to take some action! Ask yourself:

Why do I choose to take on all the things I do?

Do I really understand what is driving these choices?

What are the things I can’t do that I would like to, because I am too busy?
-
Enter the simplification process. It sounds deceptively easy but the reality is usually different. It’s hard to let go of things that you have invested time, money and emotions into.

I suggest people look at 3 areas:

Firstly, stop doing things – just stop

Pick 2 or 3 activities (like projects, committee memberships or DIY home activities) and decide not to do them. That’s the first big step.

Second, examine all the great ideas you have in your head

The things you keep thinking about that take up mental space like:

- financial goals that have yet to come true

- becoming a size ten

- winning the lottery

You’ve done OK in your life without those things so far, and chances are that you’ll continue to survive. Give them up.

Third, reduce or eliminate your errands

These sneaky timewasters chew up a lot of physical and mental energy. If you haven’t’ done them, you are thinking about doing them, and once they are done, you often need to repeat them from month to month! With the technology around today, there are very few errands that need to take up time. Bill paying, shopping, buying presents – all these things can be done in a fraction of your time on the internet, or can be outsourced.

The reality is if we have nothing better to do, we’ll keep doing all those things we normally do – the things that keep us busy. Simplify your life and make time to find those better things to do. Guaranteed, you’ll enjoy it.

Megan Tough - published writer, coach, facilitator and speaker - works with people to create outstandingly satisfying and truly successful professional lives. Make more money - have more fun! To learn more and to sign up for more FREE tips and articles like these, visit http://www.megantough.com

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Words That Inspire - SIMPLIFY

2006-06-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Words That Inspire - SIMPLIFY
By Julie Cohen

What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?

Dictionary* says:

to reduce to basic essentials, to diminish in scope or complexity, to make more intelligible.

What it REALLY means:

removing clutter and interference from your life and work; looking at large obstacles as the sum of small challenges; choosing to do less, have less, want less.

Why it MATTERS?

SIMPLIFYing, both physically and mentally, leaves more space for creativity, problem-solving, and exploring. Decision making is clearer, communication is enhanced and personal enjoyment is increased.

Questions that INSPIRE:

• What personal or professional situation would you like to SIMPLIFY?
• How would SIMPLIFYing make you feel?
• What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?
• What barriers are in the way of SIMPLIFYing this situation?
• What one action can you make today to SIMPLIFY?

I hope you enjoyed Words That Inspire, a monthly glimpse at words that matter. To continue receiving this, please send an email to subscribe@juliecohencoaching.com.

Permission granted to forward or reprint, as long as copyright, subscription and signature information included.

*(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1977, G. & C. Merriam Co.)

© 2004 Julie Cohen

Julie Cohen, PCC, is a Career and Personal Coach. She supports her clients to achieve greater career satisfaction. Formerly an Internal Executive Coach at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young LLC, she was part of the design team responsible for developing and implementing a national coaching program. Julie brings over fifteen years experience in corporate, non-profit and entrepreneurial entities to her work as a human development professional. Julie has a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a MS in Counseling from Villanova University. She is a graduate of Corporate Coach University International's and Coach University's Training Programs, is a Past-President of the Philadelphia Area Coaches Alliance and a member of the International Coach Federation. She can be reached at http://www.juliecohencoaching.com

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