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Make Yourself Simple During the Recession

Simplicity Rules: Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Life

Stay focused on what really matters.

Time, energy, and resources are often in limited supply when you are juggling work, family, and online education. Now is the time to really prioritize your responsibilities and fully commit to what's most important in your life.

The simple task of compiling a list of priorities and keeping this in a central location will help you stay focused on your larger goals.

Reconsider purchasing decisions.

People often pause a moment before buying expensive items to make sure they are making a sound decision. The same caution should be applied when making all purchases regardless of the size or price.

Whether your purchase is big or small — in regards to both the size of the item and the size of the price tag. Any material goods purchased need to find a place in your home.

Often the stress associated with having bags, boxes, and packaging of new stuff takes away from the excitement. This is especially true of items that need to be organized or stored, causing the value of the purchase to decrease.

Buying wisely does not mean purchasing an item just because it is on sale for a great price. If you spend money on something you really don't need — just because it is marked down — then this will affect your overall budget in a negative way.

Make sure that the only deals you take advantage of are for items you were planning on purchasing anyway. Otherwise, walk right past it and don't look back. Your life will be simpler because of your will-power.

Avoid creating an overwhelming schedule.

• Does your son really need to be involved in three sports this month?
• Do you want to worry about spending every evening and weekend driving family members back-and-forth to games, practices, and rehearsals?

Most experts discourage children from leading lives that are too busy.

Now that your time is in short supply as a distance learner, this can be the perfect time in your life to cut back. There are many benefits of being part of a team or club, but there are also benefits to giving the entire family downtime and a chance to recharge after a long day — or week.

Assess the value of your time.

Time is money; this is especially true when you have a very busy schedule. Carefully assess the value of your time.

If you have the option of working a flexible schedule, picking up additional hours, or working from home, then your time spent doing other things can be assessed the value of the money you could make working. For instance, if you spend three hours cleaning your house on Saturday and you could have been working those three hours making $30 an hour, then it is more cost effective to pay a cleaning service $50 to clean so you can work.

Look over your schedule and make sure you are getting the best overall value for your time.

Work towards an organized life.

In this day and age, organization is a goal for just about everyone. (If being organized is difficult for you, know you are certainly not alone!)

Spend a little time now to set up a system that works for you. Keep using the system until it becomes an automatic habit. Have a location for incoming and outgoing papers set up a filing system; keep a basket in your entryway for your keys, cell phone, and anything else you'll need to get out the door.

Once everything has a place it won't take long to get into the habit of putting those items there. The less you have to think about where something is, the more efficient you'll be.

With everything you have going on, disorganization will likely result in frustration, anger, and wasted time. By starting with small solutions today, you will be taking a good step towards a more organized life.

Eliminate distrations.

Although modern day electronic gadgets can save time by streamlining communication and entertainment, they can also be a huge time waste. Your intention of getting on the Internet, checking e-mail, or flipping on the TV for a few minutes can quickly turn into hours if you aren't careful.

Make it a habit to turn off these gadgets and you'll be more productive.

Listen to what your body tells you.

Your body can speak volumes when it comes to your physical and emotional needs. If you are feeling stressed, burnout, or just all-around exhausted, it is time to take a break and rejuvenate.

Pulling constant all-nighters, skipping meals, and foregoing exercise will hurt your body and spirit. Find possible adjustments in your regular routine rather than resorting to these last resort temporary fixes.

Join forces with others.

Have you ever heard of the word TEAM being used as an acronym for "Together Everyone Achieves More?" This may be a simple motivational concept used in business, but the same can be applied to your life. Although you may feel like you are a one-person show at times, forming a supportive network can help you achieve more and realize you aren't alone.

Team up with others when it comes to running errands, carpooling and completing projects at home. Together everyone will achieve more.

Start living the life you want.

When it comes to your schedule be realistic about what you can handle. Taking on too much now — and experiencing burnout down the road — can lead to pain and frustration. Start as you intend to go and you'll be more likely to reach your goals.

Slow and steady wins the race.

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Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer, wife, and mother of four. She spends her days cooking, cleaning, and caring for little ones, and her nights writing about parenting, pregnancy, and the quest for peace (as in peace and quiet—there is such a thing, right?).

We welcome all comments directed to: recession [at] elearners [dot] com.