Do you feel frazzled?  Do you have too much to do and not enough time?  Life is complicated!  Do you long for a time when things were simpler and the pace of life was slower?  How can you simplify your life in today’s fast-paced, complex world?  Here are tips to help you simplify your life and regain peace of mind.

 Cut Out Tasks and Activities

 This may surprise you, but you cannot do it all!  That’s a fallacy that some of us grew up with.  We’ve been told we can do it all and have it all.  The reality is we have limited time and energy. 

 That means we need to be able to say “no” to the unimportant (or less important) activities.  What do you need to say “no” to?  What unimportant activities crowd your schedule?  Do you really need to be involved in four professional organizations or networking groups?  Can you cut out one or two? 

 Do you have a hard time saying “no” to others?  Who do you need to say “no” to?  Maybe it’s time to say “no” the next time the PTA President asks to you help with your child’s school fundraiser. 

Get Help

We all have a lot to do, but keep in mind that you don’t have to be the one to do it all.  Share the load.  In two-career families women still take on the primary responsibility for home and child care.  Studies show that women do 75% of household chores – even when they hold jobs outside the home.  Can your spouse or children take on more responsibility at home?  Can you delegate more tasks to your assistant at work? 

 Also consider hiring out the job.  Your time is valuable!  By hiring a housekeeper or gardener you can spend more quality time with your family.  One of the best things I did when I was working and going to school was to hire a housekeeper.  It was well worth the money!

Consolidate Activities

By consolidating activities we can maximize our time.  Here are some examples:

• Consolidate errands.   Stop off at the dry cleaners and post office on your way home from work.  That saves driving time (and gas!).
• Cook in large quantities and freeze ahead.   This saves time and hassle at the end of a work day.  You can just pull something out of the freezer.
• Shop over the Internet.   This saves time shopping and standing in long lines.

 No matter what your circumstances you should be able to apply at least one of these tips.  Start making changes now by cutting out activities, saying “no”, delegating, hiring, or consolidating activities.  As you implement these changes, you’ll gain greater balance and peace of mind.

What tips for simplifying your life can you share with other readers?