Simplify Your Life

It is no surprise many of us are mentally scattered, stressed, and unfocused. It is also no big surprise that our major challenge is complexity. If your weekly planner is impossible and your priorities are perplexing, you are on the right page. You will benefit from fresh ideas that will help you simplify your life so you have more time to relax and do more of the things you really want to do. Today's frenzied, internet-driven, hectic pace with major information overload can take its toll on our health, happiness, and hope. You do not have to be casualty. Learn useful techniques and activities to unclutter your life. It's simple. Look at what you are dealing with these days: frenzied change, an internet-driven upheaval of traditional organizational models, and free-floating anxiety plus vague and constantly shifting priorities.  We have an urgent need to simplify and bring clarity to our lives. There is a compelling need for clear priorities and a sharply defined sense of purpose. An uncluttered life and focus on what really matters to you is one form of self-respect. It will change your life. It will restore your spirit and give you more control of your life. If we want to improve our quality of life, we must first deal with emotions, attitudes, and behaviors that are dragging us down.

Do what you love.

Sit down, take off your shoes, and turn off your Blackerry. Now, write down a list of the things you did over the last several months; put a plus beside the things that energized you and a minus beside the things that drained your energy.

What to do next? Do more of the things with pluses beside them. It really is that simple. 

Car inbox?

Admit it. When was the last time you actually put gloves into your car glove box? Who decided it was "glove box" anyway? So, simplify. Convert it into your car inbox.

First, empty it. Take out all the new and used McDonald's napkins, the 1984 road maps, all the tiny mustard packages, everything. Now you have room for your credit card receipts, your dry cleaning stubs, the mail you picked up at the post office, bank deposit slips, the flyer the guy gave you at the stop sign when you gave him a dollar for charity, and the occasional note you wrote to yourself while driving.

Then -- and here is the key -- every weekend, empty your car inbox and file, read, or throw away its contents. You only need to do this for a couple weeks and you will be hooked on its simplicity.

What a relief — thinner wallet; lighter purse; less hassle.

Simple Germ Repellent

Researchers at Colorado State University found that a simple way to boost your immune system is to make sure there are always at least five different colors of produce in your supermarket shopping cart.

P.S. Eating the aforementioned produce is highly recommended.

— Thank you Men's Health magazine

Quick & Easy Weekday Exit

My friend, Robert, a single parent with to two small children, has simplified hectic mornings. On weekdays when Robert has to drop the kids off at daycare on his way to work, he does something very creative that can help anyone with small children simplify their life.

First of all, you need to know that both children are under the age of six and both are completely potty trained. Here’s Robert’s gem. At bedtime, he dresses each child in the clean clothes that they will wear the next day. The following morning, Robert only needs to get shoes on both children and they are out the door — breakfast courtesy of the daycare provider.

— Thanks Robert

Verbal Fast

Our ancestors spent a lot of time alone. They talked less; life was simpler.

Today when we are with others, we seem compelled to continually fill the airways with sounds. In fact, a University of North Carolina study found that North Americans become uncomfortable when there are more than 21 seconds of silence during a social situation.

We can simplify our lives and overcome the discomfort of silence by practicing one simple technique suggested by Dorothea Brand in her book, “Wake Up and Live”.

Simple technique: Once a month say nothing all day except in answer to questions.

By doing this we simplify our lives, we see more wonderful things about life that might typically be missed, and we are less likely to say something that might get us in trouble or get us assigned to a committee.

Try this. You will be amazed at how refreshing it is.

Get The Customer Service You Deserve

If you want to avoid wasting time on hold waiting for "customer service" or "technical support"; or if the company your are calling doesn't appear interested in solving the problem, here is exactly what to do.

After the nice "voice prompt lady" asks if you want the message in English or in Spanish and you make that selection, don't press any other buttons. Instead, say "Cancel Service".

When you do this, a company rep will be on the line within about 60 seconds and will fulfill any reasonable request you have. These reps are usually from the company's "retainment department" and their job is to do whatever it takes to keep you as a customer.

-Thank you Anonymous Company Rep

Low Hassle Customer Service

Big company phone numbers are hard to find. If you do find the one you need, you usually have to deal with a myriad of complicated and confusing voice mail prompts.

One answer is Gethuman. Gethuman provides hundreds of company phone numbers along with specific instructions for how to get around their voice prompts.

Another way to get around voice prompts is to do and say nothing. The company system assumes you have an old dial phone and sends you to an operator.

And third, even if you don't speak Spanish, press the Spanish speaking button anyway because the operator will probably be bi-lingual and can help you.

No more running out of propane

 The next time you buy a propane gas tank for your barbecue grill, buy two. That way if you run out of gas while cooking, you can just switch tanks. Then you can refill the spare tank at your leisure.

-Thanks Opey Russ (Opey says this has saved him many times. )

Get rid of your cable mess

Computer cables, audio cables, USB cables, etc. have become part of our life. If we put them into a box, they end up a tangled mess of knots after the first time we rummage through it looking for "that" cable.

Solution: Put each cable into a ziplock baggie.

You will never have to worry about cables getting tangled again. You will be able to see each item easily since the ziplock bags are transparent, and it's easier to rummage through because the bags slide against each other easily.

-Thank you Howard Hart, IWDC

Jim Hoyt recommends using a permanent marker to write what the cable is and what it is used for. For example, if you have two cables for downloading from two different cameras and they only work with one of the cables, labeling ensures you will get the correct match the first time.

-Thanks Jim, Haworth

Sound bites that simplify

1) "You’re probably right."

Use this phrase when someone is finding fault with something you’ve done or said and there is no merit to his or her argument. If you feel there is no possible right or wrong answer (only opinion), there is no point in arguing. To end the conversation, just say “You’re probably right.” and change the subject.

2) "I think you are talking to the wrong person."

Use this phrase when someone is complaining about someone else or a situation over which you have no control. Use the phrase then suggest the complainer talk to someone else.

-Thank you Ken Dickie

Is your USB where you can't see?

If you use a CPU tower, your USB port is probably in the back of the tower and the tower is no doubt shoved into a corner or against a wall.

Here's the simple solution. Get a USB exensioin cord, plug one end into the CPU port, and tape the other end to a convenient place on the tower. If you do, you won't need to crawl around on the floor to use that handy little USB port.

Conquering new ground

I realize that to conquer new ground, I have to make some sacrifices along the way. Events may not always go according to my perfect vision, but that is the natural way. Life should be simple and free flowing. The tangle of voices in my mind are usually the things that make issues and situations more complicated than they need to be. I prefer to maintain the peace and keep things simple."

-Author unknown [Thank you Ed Weessies]

Simplify holiday giving

Before the gift-opening begins and the associated mayhem starts, create a "Present Opening Kit" that includes wire cutters, screw drivers, a pocket knife, and a one gallon size ziplock bag labeled "Instruction manuals - Holidays 2005". The five minutes it takes to create your kit will greatly reduce your stress and frustration during the "opening day" and the days that follow.

-Thank you Dave Coke, Debbie Gair, and Linda Willetts

Prevent music squabbles in the car

If your family trips are complicated by spirited debates over which radio station or CD to listen to, here are two proven solutions.

First way:
One person selects the music, the other person determines the volume.

Second way:
Take turns listening to different music. At the end of every song, the radio station or CD is changed.

Works like magic. Often times you will find yourself enjoying each other in conversation and no music.

Computer slowing down?. . . FREE SOLUTIONS!

If your computer seems to be coasting to a stop, it's probably full of stuff you don't want or need.

To give your computer a fresh start, go to download.com (guaranteed safe site). When you get there, enter "spybot" in the search box and click "go". Then download "Spybot - Search & Destroy".

Next, go to ccleaner.com, click download, and then click "Download from FileHippo.com" (another safe site).

There are other cleaning software programs, but these are excellent, simple, and FREE.

-Thank you Brian Zenker

Block cell phone telemarketers

Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start receiving unwanted sales calls. You will be charged for these calls. 

To avoid this nuisance, call               888-382-1222        from your cell phone and follow the prompts. It only takes a minute and it blocks your number for five years.

You may also go to donotcall.gov.

-Thank you Ed Weessies

Save time filling out online forms

If you want to save time and keystrokes the next time you complete an online order form, just go to Google Toolbar and follow the prompts.

After downloading this great little feature, the next time you order something online your shipping info will be automatically displayed for you. It's free and it's wonderful!

Always know your password

If you have ever forgotten the password to one of your email accounts, online bank accounts, or your child's soccer league account, here is a simple solution.

First, limit the passwords you use to three or four. Save one or two for highly secure online accounts, like online banking. For low security accounts, like the soccer league standings, use a different password.

Each time you bookmark a website that requires a password, include a hint to yourself as part of the Bookmark or Favorites list.

An example is my email administration site. The bookmark name looks like this: (emailADMIN, ruby's pre-wed). The first part of the name (emailADMIN) refers to the website and (ruby's pre-wed) is the password hint. It means the last name of my maternal grandmother before she was married (pre-wedding).

This way, you don't have to remember the password because the hint is always there waiting for you. Works great!

Simple data storage

If you want to simplify data storage and retrieval, ensure data security, and simplify moving information from one computer to another, get a "jump drive". This little gizmo is also called a flash drive or a pen drive. It’s about the size of your thumb, and you can get one for about $20.

With WindowsXP, just plug your jump drive into a USB port, go to Windows Explorer, select the files you want to move, then slide the selected files to the E drive. Presto, all the files are now on your jump drive which you can access using any USB port.

You can add, delete, and move files on your jump drive. You can also format it to start over. With your data safely stored, you can attach your jump drive to a key ring or just put it into your pocket. It also comes with a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck if you want to look ... ah ... way cool.

-Thank you KLC

Unclutter your brain

Buy a 3" x 5" memo book and carry it with you at all times. It fits nicely into any pocket, purse, or car console. Use it to write yourself temporary information about email addresses, websites, good books, videos, groceries, hardware store needs, etc. It's also extremely helpful for capturing that brilliant idea you have while sitting at a traffic light. After you use the information from a page, simply throw the page into recycling. It is faster than any palm pilot and you'll be amazed how quickly it will unclutter your brain.

-Thank you Aileen Storoshchuk

Always have car keys

Have you ever lost your car keys, or locked them inside your car? Try this ... it is guaranteed to save you time, money, and aggravation.

If your family has more than one vehicle, hide a duplicate ignition key INSIDE each vehicle. Then put a duplicate door key to every OTHER vehicle in the ashtray of each vehicle. When someone misplaces the keys to a vehicle (or locks them inside), every other vehicle has a door key and the ignition key is inside the vehicle waiting for you.

-Thank you Kelley.

Clean clothes

When I was a child, we had a “dirty clothes” hamper. My brothers and I were supposed to put our soiled clothes into it — we never did. Below is a similar concept with a twist; it will simplify your life.

Create a “clean clothes” hamper. It can be a laundry basket, a cardboard box, or a regular store-bought model. When your clothes come out of the dryer, put them into your clean clothes hamper. This eliminates the angst of not knowing for sure what to do with your clean clothes until you have time to put them away. It also eliminates the need to actually put them away.

Dodge computer viruses

Always be suspicious of all emails that contain attachments. Even if they claim to be from someone you know, be sure you are explicitly expecting the email attachment before you open it.

And, NEVER open an email attachment that has the following suffixes.

a) .pif
b) .exe
c) .scr
d) .vbs
e) .ocx

-Thank you Todd.

Reduce credit card concerns

Take a permanent Sharpie marker and write “See ID” in big letters on the signature line of your credit card. Do this even if you have already signed your card.

Ignore the statement below the signature line that says “Not valid, unless signed”. Merchants will take it anyway. Only a small percentage of merchants even bother to look.

Doing this will remove the possibility of someone learning to forge your signature and will save you some hassles if someone steals your card.

Christmas lights

When you take down your Christmas lights, use a 6x9 piece of sturdy cardboard to wrap the strings around. This way, next year you won't have to go through the "untangling" process because the lights will just roll off. This will also speed up the "taking down" process.

-Thank you Jean.

Throw away your phone book

The URLs below are without a doubt the simplest and most efficient sites to find people and places. If it’s a person, go to SuperPages, click on “people pages” [middle of red strip], then enter info into the boxes [only one box is required].

If you’re looking for a place, go to Yellow Pages, click on “Change Location” [right side], enter your zip code, click “Continue”, then enter what you are looking for [pizza, car wash, etc.] in the “Your Search” box. You also have the option of going beyond your immediate zip code.

-Thank you Opey.

Simplify leaving

Choose a time when you and your children are not in a hurry and explain to them that there will be times when they need to get into the car immediately — not in a few minutes.

Then explain that you will use a special hand signal or a special phrase to let them know it’s one of those times. Make is clear that there will be consequences if they stall. My son had to walk home from school in the rain only once to get the message that I was serious.

My hand signal is placing my arm, palm down across my chest. My special phrase is, "We need to cruise." I use both sparingly — only when I truly need to leave RIGHT NOW.

Setting the stage ahead of time has saved me time and aggravation and has simplified my life. Try it.

Shorten your US mail time

Below is a simple checklist that will cut the time you spend with incoming US mail by 60% ... or more. Just ask yourself the questions below and if the answer to any of them is “No”, toss that piece of mail.

1) Does the envelope have a return address on it?
2) Is it sent bulk mail?
3) Is it addressed to you personally?

If you answered yes to these questions — open the mail. Then ask yourself two more questions.

1) Is my name in the greeting?
2) Does the first sentence interest me?

If not, toss it.

This question checklist will help put you back in control both at work and at home.

Simplify bedtime for you and your kids

Whether we want to admit it or not, TV is a powerful influence in our life, and most TV shows end on the hour or on the half-hour.

If your child's bedtime is also on the hour or half-hour, it means your kids are brushing, putting on pajamas, and generally scurrying around during the commercials of the last sitcom to get ready for bed. Or ... you're pushing them to hurry up. Or ... they are late getting into bed.

One solution is to change the bedtime to 15 minutes before or 15 minutes past the hour. This way when the last show ends, the kids still have 15 minutes to get ready for bed.

This is a spectacular idea, and you can start tonight. Just announce that you are adding 15 minutes to your child's bedtime, and presto, the angst is gone.

Of course, another solution is to get rid of your TV.

Always have a live cell phone

Ever have your cell phone battery die unexpectedly, or die because you didn't charge it when you knew it was running low? Complicates things doesn't it?

Here is a way to simplify that part of your life ... it's easy.

Buy a second battery and store it in your planner, briefcase, purse, car, or some other convenient place.

When your cell battery dies [or is very low], make the switch and charge the depleted battery at your convenience [but soon]. When fully charged, put it in your storage place.

You'll never have a dead cell phone again.

Stop tele-marketers

To stop most unwanted tele-marketer calls, click here and follow the easy steps. Takes about 3 minutes.

Fewer key strokes

Start using the [ and ] keys instead of the ( and ) keys. These keys are next to the P key [lower-case].

The result: fewer keystrokes, less eye movement, more speed, and you can do it one-handed. In a couple days you’ll have it down and you’ll be amazed how much simpler it is.

P.S. If you are doing spreadsheet equations, you will need to use the ( and ) ... sorry.

Simplify bed making

Martha Stewart will love this one!

This idea will speed and simplify bed making. It will help you find the narrow end of a rectangular fitted sheet, and eliminate the 50% probability that you will try putting it on wrong the first time.

The next time you put a clean fitted sheet on your bed, take a dark permanent marker, and write BOTTOM in bold, 12-inch letters near the bottom of the sheet. After you do, you will always be able to quickly find the correct orientation. No one will see what you have written except the bed maker and the making will be speedier and easier.

Simplify flying

1. Scan your photo ID, frequent flier cards, and car rental cards
2. Print them on your color printer
3. Cut them out and seal them in self-laminating card protectors
4. Punch a hole in them and put them on a lanyard you can hang around your neck
5. The next time you fly, put on the lanyard

You will greatly reduce the angst of losing important documents, the numbers you need will be at your fingertips, and you will always get the frequent flyer credits you deserve.

Simplify dining out

You can make dining out easier, more enjoyable, and hassle-free by doing three simple things.

1) Use your server’s name
Most servers say their name when they greet you. If not, look for a nametag. If no nametag, ask. Start using your server’s name right away and use it often.

2) Compliment early
Say something nice about your server. “You’re fast.” “You look happy.” “Nice smile.” “You’re left-handed, cool!” Something that will help your server feel good. Do this immediately.

3) Say please and thank you
These words are powerful. Say them to your server often.

You will stand out from the many diners who view servers as non-people by using these simple acts of kindness. They will create a quick, positive relationship with your server that translates into faster service, increased attention, and no hassles for you. You may even get that extra serving or drink free.

Reduce your telephone clutter

If you’re like many people, you have too many voice mail systems to check, and too many telephone numbers to remember. Here’s how to simplify that mess.

Call your local telephone company and arrange for a “call forward-busy permanent activation” to one telephone number that has a built-in voice mail feature (not an answering machine, but an internal voice mail system). Do this for all your telephones except one.

The result, one telephone to answer and one voice mail system to check.

Combine this with using the free efax service I told you about a few months ago, and you only have two incoming message systems to navigate. You also have only one telephone number to remember. It’s simple.

Over-committed?

Here’s one way to correct it:

Write down everything you did as a volunteer during the last 12 months and everything you will volunteer to do during the next 12 months (i.e. coaching, church work, your child’s school, community events, scouting, etc.)

Now reduce this list to five or less. Keep only the things you feel passionate about.

Then, if someone asks you to volunteer for something that’s not on your list, your answer is, "I’m already committed to the max."

If something comes along that you would like to volunteer to do, add it to your list. But, you must take one item from the list if it already contains five items. DO NOT exceed five items.

You may decide your list should contain only two or three items and that’s okay. But, DO NOT exceed five items.

For example, I write a column for my church’s newsletter, emcee my son’s school events, emcee the local Miss America Scholarship Pageant, serve as an honor guard for VFW Military Rights Ceremonies, and co-chair the Entrepreneur Advisory Council. That’s five and that’s it. If I want to volunteer to do something else, I must remove one of these first.

Did I mention DO NOT exceed five items?

Keep things you put into your mouth off the hotel room floor.

The next time you are in a hotel room and you don’t want your personal hygiene products falling onto the floor, try this.

Get the ice bucket, poke a few holes into the bottom of the clean plastic liner that comes with it, insert the liner into the bucket, put your personals into the bucket, and place the bucket on the vanity in one of the corners.

The ice bucket’s bottom surface is large enough to make it stable, and the top opening gives you plenty of room to operate. The result: your personals stay dry and fewer things will wind up on the hotel room floor.

When you leave your room and expect housekeeping to clean while you are away, put the lid on the ice bucket and temporarily store it inside your luggage.

Always have toothpaste

The next time you pass a grocery store, super store, or pharmacy, stop and buy six toothbrushes and three tubes of toothpaste for each member of your family.

If you change toothbrushes every two months, you'll have healthier teeth. And by having extra toothpaste on hand, you won't get a hernia trying to squeeze the last micro-ounce out of the tube. You will also be less stressed.

Safely expose and eliminate worm viruses

You don’t need a lot of technical expertise to do this.

Just open your address book and click on "new contact" just as you would to add a new contact to your list of email addresses.

In the window where you would type your contact's first name, type AAAAAAA.

In the window below where you enter the new email address, type in worm@getlost.com. Then click add, enter, or ok. Your system will place AAAAAAA at the top of your email addresses.

The worm will go there first, but when it tries to send itself to AAAAAAA, it will be undeliverable because of the phony email address you entered.

When this attempt fails — and it will — the will worm go no further and will not infect your other email contacts.

When the email comes back undeliverable to your IN BOX, you can dump it with no damage.

Encourage all your contacts to do this so you need not worry about opening email.

Hate voice prompts?

When you call an 800 number, you can skip all the prompts and talk to a live person faster.

As soon as you as are asked to press any buttons, press 00# and you will go directly to a live person.

Cool, huh?

Fly safer

Be prepared with knowledge about airport locations and surrounding areas, travel tips, ground transportation schedules, and much more.

Stay safe, save yourself time, and be less aggravated by knowing important, free airport info before you fly.

Change your faxes into emails — FREE

1) Go to www.efax.com
2) Click on Sign Up
3) Complete the form
4) You can still use your old fax number, but you won’t want to

It is absolutely free, and you can read your faxes as you check your email.

Take control of your tie

Ever drop your tie in your soup or the drinking fountain? Do you have to fuss with it all the time? You can stop all that by calling  800-843-7829 or visiting the Tie Stay website and ordering TIE STAY. A packet of three will cost you about $6 and will simplify your life a ton.

P.S. I don’t make any money on the above, I’m just passing along great ideas.

Remove the landfill from your living room

Research Psychologists agree that loose ends create more daily stress than most of us realize. The nagging feeling that something is wrong (which causes us to worry) is often created by loose ends.

Here is an easy way to remove some of that stress.

Schedule an evening to “de-paper” your home. Before you start, buy a cheap paper shredder ($10-$15). Shredding feels soooo good; it’s valuable therapy.

Follow the simple rules below to attack all the paper in filing cabinets, sitting on top of dressers and on top of entertainment centers, laying on the stairs, etc.

1) Discard catalogs more than two months old. (If you haven’t ordered in two months, you probably won’t.)

2) Discard magazines more than one month old. If there are articles in the magazine that you want to read, catalog and date the topic, so you can look them up at the library or on the Internet later.

3) Discard travel brochures more then six months old and maps more than two years old. (Go to AAA and get new maps. If you aren’t a member of AAA, join on the spot.)

4) Discard service manuals for products and software you don’t currently own or don’t use any more.

5) Shred old business letters, term papers, business cards, memos, lists, and outdated contracts that you don’t need for legal reasons.

6) Shred papers from long past legal matters, such as home sales, car sales, deceased parents’ tax returns, wills of deceased people, and fifteen year old receipts.

Now take all that clutter to the recycling center. Good riddance!

And . . . now that you have a paper shredder, you can shred and recycle paper weekly to avoid the stress-producing-build-up of loose ends.

Simplify hiring

Hiring is frequently an irritation for small business owners because it requires paperwork that gets in the way of pursuing our dream. A key hassle is the plethora of forms required when hiring new people. Which ones do you use?

Let me clear that up for you. You will need a W-4, and I-9 with a driver’s license number and social security number. You need keep both of these on file, but you do not need to send them anywhere.

Next, call your city clerk’s office and ask about city tax. For State and Federal unemployment tax, go to Michigan Government, type “hiring” in the search site box, and then click on Appendix B1.

If you’re hiring family, you should both sign an “at will” statement. This statement can be short, but should state clearly that your family member is an employee and can be terminated at the discretion of management — you.

Don't be a phone tag fatality

Often, it’s not the best small business that gets the sale; it’s the fastest and most responsive. You may even be losing business and not know it because your telephone goes unanswered.

Fortunately, there is a way to avoid this costly problem. Here’s how ...

Contact your local telephone company and ask that all your calls be permanently forwarded to your cell phone after two rings. This allows your telephone to be answered when someone is in the office, allows you to answer your telephone when you are out of the office, and assures that incoming calls are answered promptly. Note: Make sure your cell phone outgoing message fits your business image.

If you already have programmable call-forwarding, you will find that making it permanent removes the hassle of remembering to forward and un-forward. And, permanent call-forwarding is less expensive.

Generate more sales!

Word-of-mouth is a superb business generator — no news there. But, here is the good news. You can start word-of-mouth, fuel it, and create a burning path to your bank account with almost zero investment.

• Step one: Make a short list of the benefits people receive from doing business with you.
• Step two: Add one of your benefits to the end of either [or both] of the phrases below.

Here are the phrases:

1. I work with people who want . . .
2. I teach people how to . . .

• Step three: Every time you talk with a customer, or potential customer, make sure you use your phrases.

If you do this every day for the next 30 days, I guarantee you will see a significant increase in your business. And after 30 days? Keep doing it.

When Values Are Clear, Decisions Are Simple

Learn how to combine the positive messages you received from significant others with your current values to create a personal priority plan the will help you follow your bliss.

Also, learn your fun priority matrix so you can spend time doing more of the the things you truly love to do.

Remember, an uncluttered life is joyful and serene. Sorting out what really matters to you restores your spirit and gives you more control of your life. Learn how to find balance, have more time to do what you really want to do, and reduce your mental clutter.

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