Making Pillows Part 2

Taken from Dave Wampler-"Simple Living" network (www.simpleliving.net)

Know that where you are right now is exactly where you should be. Don't worry if you haven't accomplished what you think you should have or what others expect you to accomplish. Be okay with where you are and work forward from there.

You can't do them all. Cut out activities that aren't consistent with your core values. Take your most difficult or dreaded tasks and complete them first thing in the morning. Get them out of the way in order to allow yourself to concentrate on other tasks rather than worrying about the ones you really don't want to do.

Have a clear vision of where you want to go in life. You don't need to know how you will get there yet, just know where you want to go. Have a clear understanding of your values and what is important to you.

Write a list of goals you'd like to achieve. Focus on doing a few really well, rather than a lot in a mediocre way. You can't add hours to the day, but you can cut down on activities.

Say no instead of yes. People agree to requests from others because they like to please them. Instead, realize that you have a right to say no. Creating plans or policies makes saying no easier.

Do you have an answering machine, cell phone, voice mail at work, pager, email? You may want to cut some of these off so that you can accomplish your goals without constant disruption. At the very least, start turning off your cell phone and using it only when you need to call someone. Set aside a specific time each day to answer emails or messages to avoid changing course each time you return a phone call.

Cut back on television time. Only watch those shows you decide on beforehand. Circle them in the television-listing magazine. Then turn off the television when the program is over. Cancel extra cable television packages for channels you rarely watch. Go for broke.

Pierce recommends spending 15 minutes every day going through a closet, a shelf, a drawer, and getting rid of anything you don’t need or cherish. "What’s exciting is that once you start on these surface areas, weeding that out, the skills and mindset carry over to more complex areas like your work and relationships." If you're not using something, get rid of it. Put an expiry date on items when you can't decide to keep them or not. Get rid of them when the expiry date arrives.

Use automatic payments or bank online to have bills paid automatically each month. Automate repetitive, clerical, mechanical tasks. For instance, set up automatic bill payments. Include your automatic savings plan as part of your monthly spending.

Make a plan for the weekend that doesn't involve work. Stop spending time with people who are a drain on your energy or vitality.

Carry a smaller wallet or purse. Start by cleaning out the one you've got. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other clutter that you don't use regularly.

Make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to reflect quietly, go for a walk, plan for your future or meditate. Slow down: "Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and solitude," says Pierce. "It will help your mind to relax, so you can shift from the "work-and-spend treadmill," she says, "and focus on what’s most important to you." Find 10-20 minutes each day to sit and relax, do nothing, or meditate. This is a few minutes to reflect on your day, your vision and to clear your mind.

Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't need.

Plan time for a vacation every year.

Work where you live, or live where you work.

Be in bed by 9 p.m. one night a week.

Live on half of what you earn, and save the other half.

Keep asking, "Is this going to simplify my life?"

Rarely buy anything new. Think creatively. The answer doesn’t have to be "buy a new one."

Prolong the life of whatever you own. Use less. Don’t toss anything if it can be reused or recycled somehow.

Use a date book or PDA consistently. Write down everything you and your family need to do and make it a habit to check your schedule on a daily basis.