This article originally appeared in The Simplifier #31.

By Shawn Tuttle

So you want to simplify. Where to begin? Ironically, this question can throw the mind into a fresh round of confusion. Start with the piles on the desk? Those on the floor? Maybe you should start with emails? What about all the projects you’re in the middle of? Don’t even think about all of the responsibilities to which you’ve committed!

All of these possibilities are external situations. The underlying sentiment being, “If my surroundings and schedule were organized, I’d have more peace of mind.” Then why does it seem like the relief earned from a cleaned-up space is so short-lived? Granted there is less to distract you, but having fewer distractions is a far cry from flowing through your day feeling satisfied with the pace and completion of your activities.

I heard a colleague, Bill, say he had to clear his external surroundings before he could think about simplifying internally. My response was that he did start internally—even if he didn’t recognize it as such.

There are a couple of concepts at play that encourage us to shift our perspective about simplifying to an outward direction (i.e., from the inside out):

1. Like attracts like. The level of clarity and order you have internally will attract an equivalent level of clarity and order externally.

2. Thought precedes action. Clearing the mind of clutter and focusing allows for clarity of action.

That Bill had a desire to clean up his external clutter indicated that he was acknowledging a disparity between his internal and external experiences. A better understanding of internal simplification facilitates lifestyle changes that are more apt to persevere.

So then: What does it mean to simplify?

Michelangelo was said to have been asked how he created his masterpiece, the statue of David, out of a large piece of marble. His answer: I just took away everything that wasn’t David.

What are you left with when you take away everything that is not “the statue of You”? Your Essential Self. Simplifying is the process of clearing away that which is not you.

What isn’t you? This can be answered by asking a simple question. Is it (”it” being a situation, a physical item, a relationship) taking from or giving to me? If it takes from you, it is not supporting you. Conversely, if it gives to you, then it is supporting you. Your Essential Self thrives with support.

Understanding the larger scope of this intent explains why the goal is to simplify and not just to organize or systemize. The point isn’t just to put things in place so they are easy to find later, or to make a system more efficient just so you can do more (though these are great results!) The point is to facilitate your workflow so that it supports you, your goals, and your dreams.

Simplifying is a natural and dynamic process that proceeds in an order that’s right for you. Most likely, your internal self will express dissatisfaction with your current level of organization. You’ll be drawn to the mess that is at greatest odds with your Essential Self. The clutter around Bill was contrary to him—the most blatant offender being the piles of paperwork stacked up in every room of the house. So that is where he started. Hours upon hours (and days and weeks) later, he had dealt with it all. Whew! That taken care, time to celebrate, then get ready for the next round—i.e., the next most blatant offender.

Concurrently, as you deal with your external surroundings, you’ll make life much easier on yourself by simplifying your internal world. How? Engaging in daily quiet time, master planning time, meditation, and visualization exercises (to name a few examples).

As you have success bringing your external and internal worlds in line with your Essential Self, you want more, and more, and more! Why? Simple. You are much more interesting, fun, curious, lively, energetic, and exciting than the stuff cluttering you up! This is the source of a rich and satisfying life. And as if that weren’t enough, everybody benefits! Just think how inspiring and magnetic people who are living fully can be. Just think how inspiring and magnetic you will be, living fully who you are.

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Shawn Tuttle is founder of Project Simplify