leo babauta says simplicity boils down to 2 things:

  • identify the essential
  • eliminate the rest

use of small steps and one goal at a time with the following principles:
set limitations
choose the essential
simplify
focus
create habits
start small

first 2 are the main principles
1: by setting limitations, we must choose the essential. so in everything you do, learn to set limitations
2: by choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. always choose the essential in order to maximize your time and energy

2nd principle forces you to ask of the task list using:
method #1
will this task have an impact beyond this week or month
will it change my job, career or life
will it further a long-term goal
how important is that goal to me

method #2
start with goals then plan your tasks
or combine #1 and #2 for focus on one goal at a time

eg. how does limitation apply to having too many emails:
==> only check twice a day and respond to 5 each time => forces more effective working and you will only be writing important emails

another book of his “Zen habits by Leo Babauta: handbook for life” by Leo Babauta, Frank Ar recommends “smile, breath and go slowly” with a brief guide:
less TV, more reading
less shopping, more outdoors
less clutter, more space
less rush, more slowness
less junk, more real food
less busywork, more impact
less driving, more walking
less noise, more solitude
less focus on the future(past), more on the present
less work, more play
less worry, more smiles
breathe

and
stop judging, stop expecting .. a thing isn’t good or bad, it just is… this removes the mood swings of going up and down, and moves into peace and acceptance of what is, since
“When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.
when people see some things as good, other things become bad.”
Lao Tzu

judging makes us unhappy, so for expectations – see what is and start living instead
when you catch yourself judging/expecting, affirm “no expectations, no good or bad”

  1. start by being more aware
  2. pause each time you make a judgement, re-affirm “no expectations, no good or bad”
  3. seek to see things as they are and to understand – investigate, empathize, see the landscape of your life without the filter of judgement or expectations
  4. next, take what comes and experience it in the moment, react appropriately but without overreacting – you can’t control life or others, but you can control how you react
  5. then, accept, when things happen understand why they do, without judgement and accept people for who they are; includes accepting yourself, without judgement, just as you are

creating a structure for deep focus