Inside Quixtar

Making Things Simpler

There's been a lot of talk about making things simpler around here lately -- a lot of it tied to the launch of Simply Nutrilite and how that line makes good nutrition simple for busy families.

But the whole topic of simplicity is hot.  Years ago Sarah Ban Breathnach launched the simplicity movement with her book "Simple Abundance," which taught the simple idea of being grateful for all you have and to create the life you want. It advised ways to clear the cobwebs and the clutter away so you could focus on all you have to bring joy to your life.  A leading women's magazine, "Real Simple," was born to create ways for people to do things easier, simpler, or better to give them more time for what they really want to do. 

More recently, architect Sarah Susanka wrote the "Not So Big Life,"  a followup to her hugely successful "Not So Big House" books.  She teaches a simple philosophy that more is not always better, from the house you build to the life you inhabit.  The Not So Big House movement insisted that people build thoughtfully, based on what they need and what will add to their life without adding to their accumulation of stuff.  Likewise, "Life" focuses on finding what you want in your life (and from it) and how you create a balance between what you must do and what you dream of doing.  More importantly, it reminds us all to be present and fully inhabit every moment of our lives.  The web site is very useful and has loads of content from the book you can use for your own virtual life cleaning.

I checked the book out from the library (as I'm selective about what books I bring into my home as permanent occupants -- it's a simplicity and frugality philosophy.)  It was instantly meaningful as I looked at how I may do a lot, I may not be bringing all I can to all I do.

Case in point...I'm a Blackberry user (although some have called me a Blackberry abuser.)  I view the Blackberry as bringing flexibility to my life and schedule...which means instead of waiting at the office at 6 p.m. to review a document, I can do that from whereever I want to be.  Good thing, right?  But not if I'm looking at that tiny screen when my daughter does her first cartwheel and sees that I've missed her accomplishment.  And not if her sister calls me a "Blackberry Zombie" when I don't hear her question about her homework.

Recently a Blackberry and laptop ban was instituted in some meetings here.  I've blogged (or blabbed) here before about how we have way too many meetings and how it feels like you're not getting a lot done because you're in meetings.  At first, I resisted and resented the restriction.  After all, a lot might happen while I'm locked away in a meeting for a few hours, and I'd often use my Blackberry to keep things moving during the course of the day.  In fact, a lot of people relied on me being available by Blackberry whenever I was in a meeting. I had to go back and make sure people understood that I was literally out of pocket for a few hours.  And in the interest of full disclosure, I often get assignments, questions, or tasks to do during meetings that I can pass along -- and can often resolve-- during the course of a meeting with a simple note to a colleague.

So what happened?  After I stopped thinking about what I was missing outside the doors of the meeting room, I listened more.  In fact, I was present and ready to respond to whatever needed an opinion, insight, or follow-up.  I focused on one thing instead of a half dozen.  And yes, life went on while we were meeting and what needed my attention was still there when I got out.

So I've been making a conscious effort to be more present in my own life.  To give something my full attention.  To listen intently.  To engage fully.  To really notice what's going on around me.  

Even if it looks like I'm just sitting there.  It sounds simple, but it's taken some effort.  Like sitting down and watching homework being done rather than darting in and out while cooking dinner.  And I don't think those committed moments have added hours to my day....but they may have added more value and meaning to those moments.