Exploring these questions indicate that you embrace the process as a journey.

We can boil the journey of simplifying down to “understanding what to simplify and how.” And a journey it is, make no mistake—often a long and arduous one. Topical fixes will float off like band-aids worn while swimming.

Just like starting a new job, the beginning can be a bit bewildering. It gets easier as you get your bearings. Putting energy into the process results in increasing clarity, as does your mind’s ability to identify draining or unproductive situations.

Each step is a unique step just as each day is a new day. Embracing the journey keeps it fresh and interesting.

Choice
Every moment you have choice. Some choices are broad in scope (”What do I want to do with my life?”). Others are more situational (”Why am I doing this? What’s the purpose?”) or in the moment (”Continue reading or do something else?”).

Understanding you have a choice in every moment gives you enormous power on your journey—in fact, it is the key to making progress. In order to accept a new way of thinking you must be willing to actually do things differently.

For example, deciding on a case by case basis to buy less or take on fewer commitments can seem minor at the time. It’s hard to see the accumulative effect of single decisions over a period of time. But your choice in each situation does make a difference.

Ironically, even though the simplification journey can result in the changes you’ve wanted, it’s dangerously easy to set it aside. You might say, “I’ll work on it later.” However, isn’t this the very claim you are challenging?

Yes, the work can be tough. You’ll challenge firmly entrenched habits. High stakes and tough work… lead to big rewards! Whether you decide to stick with it or not is up to you.

Goals
Where does the motivation come from, when saying “I’ll do it later” is so easy? This for me is the best part, because now we are talking about your dreams for yourself.

What do you dream about doing? How do you want your life to be different? What calls your heart to action? That’s what you want to connect with! If there is no reason to change a habit, then why bother? If, however, changing a habit will clear an obstacle that’s keeping you from where you want to go, I’ll bet you’ll figure out a way to clear it.

If you don’t have a specific goal, at least determine a direction. In either case, it’s important that you really want it. “I want a clean desk” isn’t big enough. Think beyond your desk. Imagine your whole new life and what it will be like. Visualize the new you in stereo and in full color. They say the best way to connect with a mental vision is through smell… how will the new you smell? ;-)

Tapping into that vision provides the motivation to do now what may have been left for later.

Upcoming
You’ve embraced the journey. You understand and accept that you have choice. You know where you are headed. Now, how about those tools to simplify?

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