Simplify, Minimise, Zen – Chapter 7: Taking the Red Pill (The Next ...

Keep it simple. Un-complicate things.

That’s it for this chapter. That’ll do pig, that’ll do.

Ok, maybe not but those first few words sum up the chapter and it would be particularly apt to leave it at that. Not fluff it up and complicate matters. But I feel we might need to get to the bottom of this and implement the theory as much as we can.

Here’s the thing: There is essentially too much crap in our lives, getting in the way, causing congestion and discontentment. Whether we are talking about the physical material things or the mental noise and clutter.

There is far too much clutter, stuff and excess that needs to be stripped away in order to be left with the essential. All this extra is getting in the way, not improving our lives but hindering it.

We want clear minds and clear lives. Clear ideals, clear principles, clear path ahead.

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Ironically, as I’m trying to write this I am not able to concentrate and get into a flow. Why could that be?

Clutter.

Thinking about various things; work, other chapters, articles, best way to write this chapter.

And bear in mind that a lot of these things you know about, ie. they are obvious. You know your mind has wandered or is being affected by a particular thing. But then there are the things in the background running, that you’re not consciously thinking about but are there and are affecting you at all times.

Like my stupid computer for instance… computers in general, provide a good metaphor.

You have too many applications running. You can see the obvious ones; internet with several tabs (which could and probably should be minimised, ie. work on one thing at a time), music etc but also the other ones behind the scenes, plug ins, programs etc.

You may not be aware but they are running in the background and affecting your computer’s performance.

In fact you have to be careful not to get a virus or for your computer to slow down completely or stop. It needs to be cleansed and just the necessary running in order to run clearly, effectively, smoothly and cleanly.

That bugger runs pretty slow at times so you need to get someone to remove the unnecessary applications and speed up/cleanse the programs you do need.

And for us too… cleanse, remove and refresh.

Go back to basics.

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Now with modern technology being what it is and the abundance of choice, is this a good thing? That's an unanswerable question… there are pros and cons.

Nowadays, you can communicate with people across the world instantly which is great, but overused and it all becomes a distraction and impedes your life. It can even be another form of addiction, a bad habit.

I was observing a girl on the train the other day (not in a perverted or stalkery kind of way… I do do that but just not on this occasion), she sat down and was checking facebook on her phone. The disturbing part was that she kept pulling the screen down in order to refresh it. Every second or so. Oh dear.

It can become an obsession.

Also, these days you have far more choice. Ok, you may have it better than 'back in the day' but with all the extra choice and possibilities it can leave you stifled, confused and anxious. If you just had one or 2 options then that's not a great ideal but it makes things a lot easier.

Whether things are better now or not it doesn't really matter. You have to just deal with the situation as it is. It's pretty awesome that you can communicate with someone face-to-face the other side of the world for free for example, share pictures instantly, not wait weeks for a letter to come through the mail.

On the other side of that, things are certainly crazier. As most people (in the western world anyway) have their basic needs met, their need for consumerism and technology has risen dramatically. People are less grateful for what they have and just want more and more… they can never be satiated! And this is bad news indeed.

So, what am I saying? Lord knows. I would say to embrace new technology, use it to your advantage, enjoy what it adds to your life… but be careful. Don't let it run your life (note to self). There's a balance there somewhere but like any addiction or obsession it's a fine line.

For example, it could be a good idea to eliminate some online social networks altogether… take the AA prohibition approach. But that's a shame as you miss out on the benefits. Much like the alcoholic will miss a nice beer. For some it might be essential.

I'm sure for most you can just minimise. Have certain designated times for such activity. Don't read your email first thing, only check facebook at night or at certain times in the day. Unsubscribe from some email newsletters.

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Which reminds me. Sometimes if I don't deal with my emails properly for a few days there are 10s of them that build up. I sign up to a lot of newsletters as I'm interested in personal development, travel, pursuing freedom, fitness etc. So if I see something that interests me I will sign up to the newsletter. I need to unsubscribe from those that give me the least amount of value and only keep a few of the best.

I suggest you do the same.

You have to consider how much REAL value you are getting from them. Sometimes there will be a gem, but it's even worth missing the occasional gem if the rest are taking up your time and just fuelling procrastination rather than actually moving you forward in some way.

Especially if you work using your computer and the internet. This can be a hazard. So minimise and eliminate to the bare bones.

This can extend to your physical belongings. I hazard a guess that you own a lot of crap. I don't really but there is junk here and there. Have a good old clear out. Not just for the physical benefit, mentally it clears you too… or so I'm told.

I've heard when people do discard of all this unnecessary stuff they feel liberated. Free. The backpacker will tell you how great it feels to have everything you need and nothing more on their back. That may not be for everyone, but you get the idea.

The point is awareness and doing what we can to operate in our ideal state…

(You can also check out books like Essentialism and The One Thing in terms of productivity.)

In the next chapter we find out we're not normal! Whether that's a good or a bad thing, we'll have to see ;)