Simplify Your Day: Where to Go From Here

By Leo Babauta

As we wrap up the Simplify Your Day module, you’ve said No to unnecessary commitments and tasks, freed up a block of undistracted time, and started single-tasking and slowing down.

Congratulations!

But what’s next?

You might notice that your day isn’t completely simplified — at least, probably not to the degree you envisioned when you started this module. That’s OK. Think of any progress you’ve made, and anything you’ve learned this month, and consider that a huge success. You don’t change your life overnight.

However, just because this month is over, doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. There’s lots more you can do!

Here’s what I suggest:

Continue to monitor you commitments. Every week or so, take a few minutes to look at what’s on your calendar, what projects you’re doing, what roles you’ve committed to. And compare this to your Short List of priorities — do these commitments line up?
Make No be your default. When incoming requests come in, don’t jump to say Yes (this is my natural tendency). Look at what’s already on your plate. Are you full already? Are you going to try to cram more into your life? Or is there something on your plate that’s less important than this new request? If so, bump off the less important thing for this new thing. Otherwise, say no.
Create more blocks of undistracted time. If you created one block of undistracted time (even if it’s just 15-20 minutes for now), see if you can create more. One in the morning and one in the afternoon is good. But you can also do one in the evening, for something relaxing. And a big block or two during the weekend. More of these big blocks is better.
Continue to practice single-tasking and slowing down. These are the keys to making your day feel simplified. If you can do one task at a time, and not rush the task or rush to the next task, you’ll feel much more at peace. Keep practicing this, until it is infused into your daily life.