13 Questions to Ask for a Streamlined Life
Will this make my life expand or contract?
Whenever I have to make a tough decision I ask myself this question. There is no correct answer however, it’s a good identifier forcing me to use self-awareness. Some choices add space to our lives and others consume it. If a choice is going to expand your life, we need to make sure there is room on our plate. And if a choice is going to cause our lives to contract, are we okay with that? Or is that the desired outcome?
Where can I reduce to refine?
If you have too many things, too much going on, and your social circle is too big, where can you reduce to refine? Cutting down on some of these things allows you to keep the best of the best in your life. Owning fewer possessions and cutting down on your to-do list allows you to make time for the things that are truly important.
Where can 1 decision eliminate 100 others?
If you are constantly pulling bodies out of the river, it might be wise to look upstream and find out how they are falling in. Then fix that problem. If you are swamped with debt, sell a large asset to pay it all off — then stop overspending. If you’re getting too many emails, get a new email address. If you can’t decide on what’s for dinner, eat the same meal every night of the week. Look for hidden decisions that eliminate a host of others. — H/T to Tim Ferris for this idea.
Is this a have to, or a choice?
“There are no have-tos, just choices.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
I don’t celebrate Easter with my family. Why? Because there are too many holidays and I simply don’t want to. I don’t have the mental bandwidth for it. And although it seems odd to many people, it’s simply a choice. People think that when you have a family you must do certain things but this is not the case. My wife celebrates Easter with her family. I stay home.
What is on my not-to-do list?
Make a list of everything you do that is a waste of time. Stop doing those things. Doomscrolling, letting people waste your time, saying yes when you should say no, binge-watching Netflix, etc. You’ll have more time for things that matter.
What’s draining me of energy and what gives me energy?
At the end of each day, make a list. What tasks robbed you of energy and which ones made you feel alive? This works with people as well. Find ways to avoid the former, and do more of the latter. Perhaps you can delegate some of those tasks or quit doing them altogether. Writer Mike Thompson calls this a Vampire List.
In what areas of my life would a small amount of money make things easier?
Sharp knives cut things quicker with less effort versus old and dull. A new computer will run faster allowing you to get more work done. Warm blankets can save you money on the cost of heating. Try to think outside of the box on this one but you get the idea.
Am I valuing my attention?
Your attention is expensive and most of us give it away freely to things that do and will not matter. If something upsets you that won’t matter in 5–10 years you are squandering attention. The same goes for celebrity gossip, office politics, politics in general, and many other things.
What is something I am doing too often?
Checking email, checking Twitter, and eating meals. All of these do not ‘need’ to be done 12 times per day. Could you get by checking email twice per day? Or perhaps once per day? I do the dishes 4–5 times per day. I can’t stand dirty dishes in the sink. I really should only do them twice per day. I’ll work on it.
Where can a blanket policy help make saying no easier?
“Sorry, I have a rule about taking meetings after lunch. The answer is no” or “Sorry, I only take meetings on Tuesdays.” People will try to push your boundaries but it is much harder for them to break your rules. Setting thoughtful rules can keep you from feeling like you have to say yes for lack of a good excuse.
Where can I batch similar tasks?
Run all of your errands on the same day of the week and include any shopping. Do all of the household chores at the same time instead of spreading them out during the day. Reply to emails, social media messages, and text messages at the same time. Obviously, this will save a large chunk of time.
Where can I create rules to be more efficient?
I don’t answer phone calls from unknown numbers and I do not have voicemail. It’s one of my rules. I also reply to emails twice per day — no more. I don’t work after 7 pm and I force myself to write no less than 90 minutes per day. Little rules like these keep me on track and stop me from veering off the path. Come up with some rules for yourself. Think ‘addition by subtraction.’
Is this a good use of my time?
This article? Yes. In the future, refer to your not-to-do list and start valuing your attention.
For thoughts and comments @ me on Twitter.
Exploring culture, technology, life design, and more at BarryFralick.com
