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1. A Note From Lance

Does my computer make my life simpler? I find myself wondering this, after spending the bulk of the past two days doing annoying troubleshooting work trying to resolve two serious tech problems. I’m one of those who “can’t live without” my computer, so when it goes awry, it feels like everything is awry. And troubleshooting mysterious computer problems can be anything but simple.

Yet computers remain a fundamental part of modern living—troubleshooting hassles and all. And despite the challenges that a computified life presents to my growing desire for a simplified life, I remain committed to using this tool that has become an essential part of my world. (In fact, I’m using two computers right now!)

Presumably, most of us intend to keep computers as an integral part of our lives…but do they make our lives simpler? If they don’t now, can they be made to? Have you succeeded in merging “computing” and “simplicity”? If you have, please post your example here at the site! We welcome any tips, pointers, or stories of successful computer simplification.

None of which has much to do with this week’s Simplifier, aside from being the reason it’s coming out late. Sorry about that. :-

Enjoy!

2. Quote of the Week

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

3. Article: Plan to Prevent Overwhelm

By Shawn Tuttle

The Ideal Planning System

Every Sunday evening you take a half an hour to identify your goals, assess priorities, review your schedule, determine the next steps towards your goals, and develop your prioritized ToDo list. You create your weekly roadmap. Then, over the course of the week you review your plan each night, preparing for the next day. During the day, you complete a task, check it off your list, see what’s next, do it, check it off, etc.

Does this describe your weekly planning system? If it sounds great in theory, but doesn’t get practiced too often, know you are not alone. It’s like many good habits: even with the best intentions, practice seems to ebb and flow. Or perhaps you are inspired to do this for a few weeks and then it just fades off into memory. Sticking with this system seems especially tough (and is proportionately more useful!) if you have an irregular schedule.

It’s a powerful tool, when you use it. Understanding some of the principles that make this practice powerful, you can put together a system that works for you.

Which brings us back to Planning Time and Doing Time. Separating the two is key, and doing Planning Time right is key to accomplishing that. (In the article “Planning Time vs. Doing Time“, I referred to Planning Time as “Peak Brain Time” that is ideal for higher-brain activities.) I want to add a more experiential understanding of Planning Time for you to relate to.

The Planning Time Mindset

Rather than referring to planning per se, I’m referring to a mind that is calm, even if very active with ideas. I actually feel a more expansive sensation in the back of my head that lets me know I’m ready. Ideas tend to be of the “big picture” variety. Other characteristics include creativity, intuition, objective perspective, observation (vs. analyzing), aesthetic sensitivity. It’s the right brain being given space to express.

In contrast, the Doing Time mindset is primarily analytical, logical, and practical—the left brain keeping things on track.

Shedding Right vs. Left Stereotypes

The artist often lives in the right brain, shuns the left, and can be overwhelmed trying to function in the world. The left-brained person, the stereotypical businessperson, functions well in the world—though often sacrificing their peace of mind and sense of well-being. The two see each other as coming from different planets.

Rather than seeing these two ways of thinking as mutually exclusive, you can find the right balance, and with it, some peace of mind.

Herein lies the power of the Sunday night planning session and the nightly next-day review—they are dedicated to planning (right brain). Then the daily activities are dedicated to doing (left brain).

One of the primary culprits of an overwhelmed, stressed-out mind is jumping back and forth between Planning and Doing, i.e. right and left brain functions. With this understanding you can get creative. It doesn’t really matter when you do your Planning Time, the important thing is that you do it. While the night before or first thing in the morning are the most “logical” times to plan, maybe you can make a habit of arriving early to a daily appointment (like picking up the kids from school) and do it then.

The solution for one client when she felt herself feeling frantic was to remove herself from her home office, take her schedule book, go downtown to a café, have a latte, and get into Planning Mode. She’d do a modified daily plan and by the end of the latte she’s ready to return to her office with ToDo list in hand. (Notice the geographic separation of Planning and Doing.)

Going back and forth between the two modes is an almost guaranteed fast track to the Land of Overwhelm. Your planning system doesn’t need to be ideal, as long as it’s ideal for you–and as long as you do it!

—

Shawn Tuttle is founder of Project Simplify.

4. This Week’s Simplification Tip

The Printer Station

I’ve had a request for a physical organizing tip this week. Let’s take a look at the printer station. “Station?” you ask. Yes, the printer and all its accoutrements are worthy of the designation “printer station”. :-)Suggestions:

• Trays or cubbies that can accommodate a full ream of paper. One tray/cubby per type of paper you use. Label the trays.
• Space for specialty papers and labels. These often come in stiff envelopes, for example from Avery, that fit very neatly in a magazine box. Keep them in their envelope for easy identification.
• Extra ink toner cartridges. (Plus the bags for returning them to the store if you recycle them.)
• “To File” tray within reach. Especially for those who tend to leave printed items on the printer for days at a time.
• If your printer is also your fax machine, you’ll want a file folder with fax cover pages, a pen, and a fax log if you use one.
• If your cords are out of control, consider buying a cord control gizmo at your organizer store of choice.

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5. In the News & On the Web

If you know of something in the news or on the web that should be featured here, let us know!

In The News

Time management is a big key to success (Miami Herald)
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/14918269.htm
This article talks about adopting a time management system that works for you. The accompanying sidebar has 5 additional time management tips (two of which should sound familiar to The Weekly Simplifier readers, from our own Tips of the Week!)

If time management confuses us, then why not children? (Scripps Howard News Service)
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=HOMEWORK-FAM-06-29-06
How to help ease children into learning about time management, planning, and scheduling. According to this article, summer vacation is the perfect time for it!

21st Century Business: When 24/7 is simply not enough (Belfast Telegraph)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/business_telegraph/story.jsp?story=697266
The title of this article could be titled “Dealing With Lots of Email”, but that’s not very flashy and buzzwordy, I suppose. There are a few new suggestions here, including “quit needless cc’ing”, which is a good one for sure.

6. Featured at ProjectSimplify.com

The Best of June

Here are some of the best new entries at the site from the month of June, along with an excerpt from each.
(Apologies to those who thought this was going to be a list of the top June Carter Cash songs.)

Obvious, or Not?
“I started a new page on the website today that will list various instructions, usually of the computer oriented variety. Right now there is one, (Yowza!) Printing labels from Mac’s Address Book. For some people this process is old hat, for some an intuitive find on their own. I feel it is worth making available, though, because for some it just isn’t all that easy or intuitive.”

Six Ways To Improve Your Life
(posted by Lance) “Abstract Dimension offers Six Ways to Improve Your Life…I was going to say that it’s a pretty basic list (which it is), but then I realized that I can only really lay claim to pursuing three of these six supposedly basic steps toward life improvement with any real vigor—at least at the present time.”

Simplify life through action, word, and stuff
“In Toastmasters we use a clicker. The person in the role of Grammarian listens for the “um” “aaaannnndddd” “uh” words that insidiously sneak into our impromptu speaking…Just as I become more intentional with the words I speak, I can be more intentional with the actions in my day, more intentional with the stuff put in my space.”

The right time for gardening
“This weekend found me outdoors “bonding” with the garden in the front yard. Some people bond with their animals, I bond with green leafy things. And now that we are regularly experiencing 90+ degree F weather, gardening at the right time is crucial for the health of the plants.”

Inspiring Stories
“My current goal for delivering speeches at Toastmasters is one a month. Today’s went well (and I won for best speaker of the day, yay!) …The speech was entitled, “Tell Your Story!” The premise being that through hearing other people’s stories (modern day heroes, really) we are inspired and encouraged to accomplish our own dreams.”

The Backup Dilemma
“There is no cut and dry answer to the question, ‘What is the best way to back up my data?’ The most important thing is that you do back it up with a reliable method.”

Simplify for others
“When talking about simplifying, we are usually thinking about how to simplify our own life. In the course of your own day, how can simplifying for yourself also simplify for another?”

7. Keep Smiling

Happiness is a Perfume

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

-Og Mandino

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Thanks for reading – see you next week!

Publication Information
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The Weekly Simplifier is published by:

Project Simplify
P.O. Box 597
Nevada City, CA 95959
phone: 530-205-5775
web: www.projectsimplify.com
e-mail: newsletter@projectsimplify.com