Minimizing The “To-Do” List

I have always been very driven.  I am also a perfectionist.  Both of these qualities produce great results, but also can drain the life out of me, and often drive others a bit crazy.  My to-do list can often be completely overwhelming, making me frantic that there isn’t enough time or energy to get it all done in the allocated time.  One major aspect about living a minimalist lifestyle is giving you more time to do nothing.  For a driven perfectionist doing nothing sounds like laziness, yet I’m learning that it isn’t so.  It is important to be still.

I have found that when I allow more time in the day and fewer objectives to accomplish, I have more breathing room for creativity and rest.  I give myself space to evaluate how I am spending my time to then use it more efficiently.  Sometimes doing less allows me to do tasks better and with more vibrance.

Here are some ideas to minimize your to-do list.

1. Do only three major tasks every day. This one can be a challenge, but was some of the best advice given to me.  This doesn’t include doing daily simple tasks or aspects relating to your job.  I’m talking about the self imposed big projects and errands for the day.

2. Ask for help. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.  Ask your spouse, roommate, or even a friend to help you complete a task.  Even delegating the task completely to another will help get the job done quickly, and you won’t feel exhausted or resentful for doing it all by yourself all of the time.

3. Taking a nap is better than doing the project tired. Really what’s the point.  You’re exhausted and about to do one more thing.  Let it wait until the morning.  If it was really important, it would have been the first thing that you did that day.  Adding one more thing when you should be relaxing or going to sleep doesn’t make any sense.  When you are tired, you are not able to do your best work anyway.

4. By limiting your tasks creates room for play. Work without play is not healthy.  We have been conditioned to believe that our time is only valuable if we are accomplishing something.  When we let ourselves play, we are also allowing ourselves to be renewed and energized, freeing up new ideas to emerge.

5. Get on the mat or meditate. Yoga and meditation are the best ways to clear your mind, center your body, and focus on your breath.  If you feel too busy to take an hour to do either, even ten or fifteen minutes a day will calm you down to refocus on what is most important to do that day.  Daily practice and consistency is everything.

True minimalism is more than just decluttering, learning to live with less, and being green.  It also is a new state of mind.  How you unbind your time is an enormous part of living a minimalist lifestyle.

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