How To Make Your Life As Simple As Possible...But Not Simpler

Important ideas that fall under the category of Ethos before we move on.

1.    Simplicity. Einstein said (in effect), “Everything must be made as simple as possible. But not simpler.” If you focus on the important things, then the important things will get done. Sometimes, you have to procrastinate on purpose. Brian Tracy speaks on this often – there are ALWAYS going to be things that you have to put aside to get the most important things done. And it’s your decision what gets done or not. 

In the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey calls these important things “Quadrant 2” Activities. These are the things that are important, but not urgent. It might take a few hours to sit down and write out your goals, your mission in life – and that’s very important. But it’s not pressing on you. So the time usually gets eaten up with urgent but less important things. If we don’t grab a hold of this and take control and choose to focus on these important but not urgent activities, we may never write our goals down or get these ultra important things done. It is possible to live out your entire life without having accomplished a single goal. 

My life began to change when I started taking the time to SCHEDULE these important activities, making them a priority. Because even though they are not pressing, they really are the most important things to living a fulfilling life. 

2.    Relaxation/Relaxed effort. The old-school magician Dai Vernon and others have called this the economy of motion. Being mindful of what you are doing – physically or mentally, and using exactly the right amount of energy it takes to get the job done. Whether you’re correcting your children, arguing with your spouse, or closing the refrigerator door, there is an appropriate amount of energy necessary to expend to get the job done. 

Don’t underestimate this amount of energy, and not give enough. And don’t overestimate what it’s going to take, and overdo it. (Like slamming the cupboard door closed instead of simply closing it.)

The reason this idea is important to your ethos, is when you begin to practice this technique, things begin to get easier for you mentally and physically. There is only one art, the art of being human. This relaxed effort is seen in painting, boxing, playing music, baseball, dancing, and everywhere else. 

When a boxer punches at his opponent, it is controlled and focused. They don’t just ball up their fist and take the hardest swing they can – in fact, this is less effective when it’s done this way. The energy is not focused, balance can be thrown off. 

Balance is a delicate thing. 

When piano players play, they are not slamming down on the keys as hard as they can – it’s all about relaxing, tapping into gravity, and working on the technique required to product music that can be effect, that can actually change emotions. 

No matter what you do, you can relax and tap into the forces at work in the universe and take advantage of them – and it all begins with the economy of motion and expending the appropriate amount of energy for the task. 

3.    Solitude and Meditation. 

I’ve never been good at meditation. I’ve sat there bored, listening to music that I just don’t like, and trying to make myself feel like I’m doing something healthy. I di

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