Simplify: Back to the Basics

By Doug Nielsen

At the beginning of the technology boom it was touted that computers and technology would help a person accomplish things much more quickly--freeing up their time. However, this has not proven to be the case. I read in fact that technology has increased the speed of our lives by 300%. Do you agree?

Now you can be reached 24/seven on your cell, through text messaging, email etc. The demand on your time has never been greater!

I have coached executives who receive 400-500 emails a day. One such leader was having work performance, health, and relationship problems (his wife was leaving him). He said, “I have allowed my job to steal my soul.” Clearly the path he was on was not working well. He was watching his life implode and literally crumble into pieces before his eyes.

It took a crisis to wake him up and motivate him to re-evaluate his life at a level he had never experienced. As he looked at the ruins he called his life, one word came to the forefront-simplify. Simplifying was not some hapless platitude; it was a matter of success or failure for him.

My family and I recently underwent a simplification process. We made the decision to give our kids an opportunity of a life-time by moving to Costa Rica and Panama for 6 months. The goal was to give the kids an opportunity to experience a new culture, learn a new language, engage in service and yes to simplify. Are we ever learning to live a simple life!

I must admit that there have been many adjustments including cold showers, horrible tasting water, unidentifiable food, learning a new language (OK at least trying to).. However we are learning how to let go of the certain expectations and trappings in order to simplify and focus on the significant in life. Strangely, simplifying is more often than not difficult in the beginning.

For example, our kids insisted that we HAD TO take our dog with us. Much to the chagrin of my wife, we took the dog. I love dogs and was excited to take him. Little did I know how challenging it would be to get all the documentation, USDA reports, shots, airline ticket (actually cost more then our tickets), medical examination, boarding, medications, micro chip implants etc. We researched and found out exactly (so we thought) what we needed to do to get him from Costa Rica into Panama and vise versa (as we would be traveling between Costa Rica and Panama several time during our stay). We jumped all the hoops and he arrived with us in Costa Rica .

Based on our research and several conversations with officials in both countries we thought the hard part was over. WRONG! It was just beginning. Come to find out, that in addition to all the above, to get him into Panama it was going to be a TWO day process, plus fees, exams, and taxes every time we entered either country.

Unfortunately our family had to make the gut wrenching decision to find a new home for our little beagle. Clearly, traveling with him was not going to work—the information we were given from multiple sources was wrong. We needed to adapt and simplify. We found a loving home for him. A home that we felt would take good care of him.

It was terrible and a trying experience, but it greatly simplified our lives--allowing us to focus on our main objectives.

Monthly Challenge:

I want to challenge you to simplify your life. Look where you are stressed or challenged and seriously identify how you can simplify your life so that you can focus on the significant.

• Where do you need to simplify your life?
• What one thing can you do to simplify today?
• Just do it!

Each day, follow this same process. You will be surprised at the end of the month what a difference a small daily change can make.

Until next month—Smooth sailing, even in the storms,

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