post written by: Marc
28 Ways to Stop Complicating Your Life
Life is not complicated. We are complicated. When we stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right things, life is simple.
So starting today…
- Stop berating yourself for being a work in progress. – Start embracing it! Because being a work in progress doesn’t mean you’re not good enough today. It means you want a better tomorrow, and you wish to love yourself completely, so you can live your life fully. It means you’re determined to heal your heart, expand your mind and cultivate the gifts you know you’re meant to share. May we all be works in progress forever, and celebrate the fact that we are!
- Stop doing immoral things simply because you can. – Start being honest with yourself and everyone else. Don’t cheat. Be faithful. Be kind. Do the right thing! It is a less complicated way to live. Integrity is the essence of everything successful. When you break the rules of integrity you invite serious complications into your life. Keep life simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right.
- Stop meaning what you don’t say. – Start communicating clearly. Don’t try to read other people’s minds, and don’t make other people try to read yours. Most problems, big and small, within a family, friendship, or business relationship, start with bad communication. Someone isn’t being clear.
- Stop wasting time and money trying to acquire more of everything. – Start focusing on quality. High quality is worth more than any quantity, in possessions, friends and experiences. Truly ‘rich’ people need less to be happy. Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Too many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t know. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects. Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Read The Millionaire Next Door
.
- Stop spending time with negative people. – Start spending time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded. Relationships should help you, not hurt you. Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you – people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it. Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. When you free yourself of negative people, you free yourself to be YOU – and being YOU is the simplest way to live.
- Stop trying to change people. – Start accepting people just the way they are. In most cases it’s impossible to change them anyway, and it’s rude to try. So save yourself from needless stress. Instead of trying to change others, give them your support and lead by example.
- Stop being lazy and cutting corners. – Start avoiding future headaches by doing things right the first time. Always put your best foot forward. Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. Why give less than 100%? Life is too short to waste it by living below your full potential. If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.
- Stop procrastinating. – Start taking action and making changes. Action and change are often resisted when they’re needed most. Get a hold of yourself and have discipline. Discipline is choosing what you really want over what you want right now. Putting something off makes it instantly harder and scarier. What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow. And there’s nothing more stressful than the perpetual lingering of an unfinished task.
- Stop worrying and complaining. – Start focusing on the things you can control and do something about them. Those who complain the most accomplish the least. And when you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create things you don’t want. It’s usually only as good or bad as you think it is.
- Stop being dramatic. – Start spending less time gossiping about problems and more time helping yourself and others solve them. Stay out of people’s needless drama and don’t create your own.
- Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Start focusing on being everything to someone. Helping or pleasing everyone is impossible. But making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus and be yourself.
- Stop making promises you can’t keep. – Starting under-promising and over-delivering on everything you do. Period.
- Stop blaming others. – Start accepting responsibility for everything in your life. Blaming others accomplishes nothing and prolongs the complications you’re facing. Either you own your problems, or they will own you. Your choice. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give up your power over that part of your life.
- Stop reacting without a plan. – Start planning and working toward specific goals. Make a list of your top 3 - 5 goals. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What 3 - 5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying your life starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things. Having a plan, even a flawed one at first, is better than no plan at all. There is good reason why you should wake each morning and mindfully consider what and who you will give your day to: Because unlike other things in life – love, money, respect, good health, hope, opportunities, etc. – time is the one thing you can never get back once it’s gone.
- Stop confusing ‘being busy’ with ‘being productive.’ – Start tracking and measuring your progress. Being busy and being productive are two very different things. Results are more important than the time it takes to achieve them.
- Stop over-committing and trying to do too much at once. – Start saying “no” more often. If you never say “no,” you will take on too much and get nothing accomplished. In the beginning, you need to say “yes” to a lot of things to discover and establish your goals. Later on, you need to say “no” to a lot of things and concentrate on your goals. Once your goals are established, focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it well. Also, leave space around commitments in your day. Whether you have appointments, or things you need to do, don’t stack them back-to-back. Leave a little space between things you need to do, so you will have room for contingencies, and you’ll go through your day much more relaxed.
- Stop being inefficient simply because you’ve always done it that way. – Start opening your mind to making positive changes. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Many times we live with unplanned, complex systems in our lives simply because we haven’t given them much thought. Instead, streamline your life by finding better ways of handling common tasks. Focus on one system at a time (your cleaning system, your errands system, your paperwork system, your email system, etc.) and try to make it simplified, efficient, and logical. Then, once you have it perfected, stick to it. Read Getting Things Done
and The Power of Less
.
- Stop cluttering your space. – Start clearing clutter. Get rid of stuff you don’t use and then organize what’s left. If you have a cluttered living or working space, it can be distracting and stressful. A clear space is like a blank canvas, available to be used to create something great. Getting truly organized and clutter-free can vastly improve anyone’s life.
- Stop overloading your mind by consuming useless information. – Start unsubscribing from useless e-lists and news feeds, and keep the TV off. Limit your time on Facebook, Twitter, CNN.com and your other favorite websites, etc.
- Stop obsessing over the past and future. – Start being present. Paying more attention to the current moment can make a huge difference in simplifying your life. It keeps you aware of life, of what’s going on around you and within you. It does wonders for your sanity and stress levels.
- Stop waiting for things to be perfect. – Start thinking of how many things don’t get done in this world simply because people are waiting for the perfect time, place and circumstance. If you’re waiting for the perfect conditions, ideas or plans to get started, you’ll never achieve anything. A good idea without action is nothing at all. Keep it simple and just start. Focus on the next positive step forward.
- Stop focusing so much energy on trying to avoid mistakes. – Start learning from your mistakes, then smile and move on. No matter how smart you are, you will make mistakes. Trying to avoid them will only waste time and complicate your life. There is a lesson in every mistake you make, and learning the lesson is how you move forward.
- Stop making emotional decisions. – Start taking a few steps back so you can think things through. When you’re caught up in the moment and your emotions are soaring, you’re bound to make poor decisions that will lead to needless complications. The best advice here is simple: Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence. Slow down and think things through before you make any big decisions.
- Stop being unhealthy. – Start taking care of your body. Start sleeping eight hours every night. A tired, malnourished mind is over-stressed and rarely productive. Your health is your life, don’t let it go. Eat right, exercise and get an annual physical check-up. The The 4-Hour Body
is an insightful and entertaining read on this topic.
- Stop holding on to intimate relationships that make you unhappy. – Start looking out for yourself when it comes to intimate relationships. It’s better to WAIT, and give your hand to someone who will never let go, rather than holding on to the outside of a hand that has never fully opened for you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. Remember, anyone can come into your life and say how much they love you. But it takes someone really special to stay in your life and show you how much they love you. So slow it down. True love is worth the wait.
- Stop holding on to hate. – Start letting hate go! Keep your sights set on the future. Holding on to hate and anger is like grasping hot coals with the intent of throwing them at someone else – you are the one who gets burned. If you want to forget someone, and move on, you must give up hating them. It’s hard to forget someone you hate, because hate takes pieces of your heart – thereby keeping this person within your heart. If you want to forget them, let go of the hate, and create peace in your heart instead. Also, remember that whenever you hate something, it usually hates you back: people, situations, and inanimate objects alike; which will only further complicate your life.
- Stop pretending like you know everything. – Start accepting the fact that there’s a lot you don’t know. Nobody has it all figured out. Nobody knows more than a minuscule fraction of what’s going on in the world. Why? Because the world is simply way too vast for any one person to know everything well. And most of what we see is only what we think about what we see. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you will stop making the same unnecessary mistakes, and the sooner new doors of opportunity will open in your life.
- Stop giving what you don’t want to receive. – Start practicing the golden rule. If you want love, give love. If you want friends, be friendly. If you want money, provide value. It works. It really is this simple.
Photo by: Norma Desmond
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73 Comments
January 8th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Wonderful ideas…
January 8th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Great ideas and reminders to think about as we start off the new year. Thanks!!!
January 8th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Love it! Amen to #15, 16, and 17 together.
January 8th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Profound! I needed this today! Thank you!
January 9th, 2012 at 12:55 am
Definitely guilty of some of these. 15, 18, and 24 especially. My diet is great, but sleep is nonexistent. Thanks for the reminders.
January 9th, 2012 at 1:28 am
Thanks! I needed to read this today.
January 9th, 2012 at 2:52 am
Great list, Marc.
Nr 8 is still a great challenge for me. Cluttering my space happens quite easy. The only thing which helps is to making regular clearing my space a habit. Clearing my space helps me to get relaxed and stay organized.
January 9th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Integrity is the essence of everything successful!! What a wonderful saying!! So correct!!
January 9th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Props to you for recommending The Millionaire Next Door. That book completely changed the way I view money.
That and Dave Ramsey’s stuff.
January 9th, 2012 at 9:35 am
What a great list! I particularly like 17, 18 and 19.
I like them all though. A simple life works. And integrity is everything.
January 9th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Mine was the 25th lesson, it’s what I needed to hear, it calmed my mind down, and it all seems simple now as opposed to complicated/dramatic/negative/frightening.
Thank you, peacemaker!
January 9th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Yes, yes & yes…a word to the wise is sufficient, especially when it rings oh so true : )
January 9th, 2012 at 9:57 am
You guys are awesome! Perfect graphic!
January 9th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Another great list. Being honest and accepting does make for a better and less complicated life.
January 9th, 2012 at 10:25 am
The best things in life aren’t things!!! This list I will call… simply uplifting!
January 9th, 2012 at 10:30 am
This is so very true and a GREAT reminder and some most excellent advice.
If only I could remember when I am in a sink-hole.
Thanks for writing this.
January 9th, 2012 at 10:57 am
Thank U !!! ~~~~ Time to roll up my sleeves and get started
January 9th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Love this! Profundity to keep in mind as the week begins. My challenges: Numbers. 1, 15, 16.
Thank you!
January 9th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Definitely needed this today! As I was in the middle of some disappointed self talk for not being exactly where I want to be I got the email for you blog post and read number 1. Hmmm think this one was written for me today.
Your posts never cease to give me a new perspective! Thanks 
January 9th, 2012 at 11:53 am
I LOVE YOUR POSTINGS! They are such an inspiration to me. Thanks.
January 9th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Thanks for a positive way to start my day, I’m going to try and make a habit to get up a little early so I can read this blog first thing in the morning each day.
January 9th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
This is a really motivating article that needed this time year. Thumbs up!
January 9th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
This is such good advice! I’ve shared it everywhere. Thank you.
Wendy.
January 9th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Again, always inspiring and just what I needed to read today - warmest regards :))))
January 9th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
WOW, those were great! I could certainly identify with a number of the statements you provided, #14 and #15 resonnated with me.
January 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Great article! If everyone took these to heart, the world would be a much better place. Keep the great lists coming.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Great post! Thank you for the reminders…..I need them from time to time.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Oh my goodness this is fabulous!!! I have started 2012 off with a bang and I am already feeling a little overloaded. These tips will make such a significant difference. Thank you!!!
January 9th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Great article! Thank you!
January 9th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Love this post! A refreshing reminder of what I need to do to keep my life on track!
January 9th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Great list! Just what the Dr. ordered for me especially numbers 4 and 5.
January 9th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
I have been enjoying all the great advice Marc! Keep the great articles coming! They are helping me create a positive new year.
January 10th, 2012 at 4:15 am
Very nice read. I will be referring back to it often.
January 10th, 2012 at 11:34 am
We’re so glad you all enjoyed this article. Again, thanks for the positive feedback. You keep making us smile.
Here’s to making life less complicated in the new year! Have a great week everyone!
January 10th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Very good advice and well articulated. All of these should be a guide, for all who care to increase their knowledge and love for their fellow man/woman.
January 10th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Sometimes, finding the right words to express what we are thinking or feeling can be our biggest challenge. You have done it so well. Thanks.
January 10th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
I have had a hard time with #5. There is definitely some weighty relationships I would like to move on from but I feel very judging of others, not acceptance of peoples faults and like I am taking relationships for granted. If I do clear out relationships that don’t exactly meet my mold, I am clearing out many if not most. This has been a tough one for the past two years for me and has definitely caused much angst. But I’m working on it.
January 10th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Love the tips! Can’t wait for new ones to show up. Keep up the great words of wisdom!
January 11th, 2012 at 12:26 am
What a great list! As I read through it I realized how many apply to me and what a difference it would make if I followed this advice. I have begun the year by decluttering my work space with the aim of being more productive. And there’s so much more to work on. Thanks!
January 11th, 2012 at 1:35 am
You’re the best… idol!
Thank you for sharing with us.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:59 am
Nice article Marc. It reminds me to live a natural life.
I liked the points: 2, 6, 21 and 28.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:13 am
I enjoy every one of your articles. Thank you.
January 11th, 2012 at 9:27 am
What a great list! Each point is a useful reminder!
I discovered your website today and will definitely check it very often!!
January 11th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Inspiring words of wisdom! I have an urge to put a Proverbs reference on each of these.
January 11th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Good lessons–Like Ben said, “If everyone took these to heart, the world would be a much better place. ” Moreover, the precious time of many strangers wouldn’t get wasted trying to help.
January 11th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Truely awesome words and rules to live by.. I’m printing this and hanging it in plain site to remind me to be a better person! Thank you for your inspiration!!
January 11th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I really needed this today thank you!! xxx
January 11th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
# 13 is especially an important factor when it comes to complicating your life. Blaming others for your mistakes is not the way to go through life. Lisa Haisha does an excellent write up on this subject through her Soul blazing therapy that is a must read.
January 11th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
I love #3- stop meaning what you don’t say. It makes me think about some of the work I’ve done with clients who are very passive or passive-aggressive. It is so emotionally draining to hold in your true thoughts and feelings. In fact, I’ve worked with clients who make amazing transformations just by being coached through the tendency to “eat” their emotions. Learning to communicate in a healthy way is so empowering…a great way to enjoy peace of mind and improved relationships.
January 12th, 2012 at 12:02 am
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today: communicate what I’m feeling, don’t react out of strong emotions, and forgive myself when I don’t do these things because I am not perfect. I am a “work in progress.”
January 12th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Awesome list, Marc. But my hands down favorite is #2: to live morally, with character. You’re right that it does simplify life so much when you live straight forward, never needing to lie and sneak to keep from being caught. Living with integrity to values engenders trust and respect and self-respect as well.
Thanks for sharing the insight and wisdom!
January 12th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
“Life is not complicated — we are complicated.” As far as opening lines go, you win! You’re so right. Life, as it turns out, is really simple. But being a good person is much more complicated. Thanks the reminders.
January 12th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
The first point about being a work in progress hits home. Over the last year or so, I’ve started doing yoga, and it’s really made me take a close look at myself. It can be a bit scary to move into a new place where it is more of a choice to be accepting of oneself. I think being hard on myself has been a way of staying stuck where it’s safe. I’ve started blogging for some local websites on yoga and how it relates to topics like these, the most recent titled: Yoga Speak: Chicken Little (linked above).
January 13th, 2012 at 7:05 am
Truly excellent post!
January 13th, 2012 at 11:17 am
This article is a simple how-to guide to life!
January 14th, 2012 at 5:38 am
Love this! Will print this out now and put it on the fridge as they are very good reminders!:) Thank you, I needed to read these today!
January 14th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
We do make life more complicated then we need to, don’t we? I have a feeling I’m doing that today. Lol
I especially agree with number 2. I long ago stopped doing things that went against my morals. Personally, when I do things that I know are wrong they cause me more stress and anxiety than anything. Plus they end up causing more problems in my life down the road like hurt feelings and arguments. It’s easier just to be honest and stand by your principles in life.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I love everything in this post, but I’ve recently learned the benefits of removing clutter, #18.
Clutter complicates life more than most people think. It adds stress and blocks creative flow. Luckily, removing clutter is very simple. Take 5 minutes to go through a drawer or a room, sort your objects into necessities and things you can donate/sell. It’s a great feeling getting rid of something you don’t need and giving it to somebody who does.
Keep up the great work on this blog!
January 15th, 2012 at 10:43 am
I love your blog and I’m thankful I found your site on StumbleUpon. I hope soon you’ll have an app for iPad or iPhone. Keep up the positiveness!
January 17th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Good read! Changing your surroundings can also make a big difference in seeing things more clearly, and simply.
January 20th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
This is a great list. Almost all of these points were on my personal stopping list. Formally or informally.
When these things are stopped, a world of opportunity opens up.
Thanks for the post!
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Truly inspiring. Most of what is written here really hit me. Thanks for sharing this..
January 23rd, 2012 at 8:41 am
I stumbled onto this blog and I’m so glad I did. I have been going through a lot and it really gave me a lot to think about. Thanks for such a great post.
January 25th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Today in yoga class our instructor read a quote. I loved it so much, that as soon as I got home I Googled it and stumbled upon your website. I love it! I will be checking in daily on your website for more inspiration.
Thanks!
January 27th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
I particularly love your sentiments on waiting for a truly loving relationship. That’s what I did and have now been married for 20 years. It was worth it!
January 27th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Thanks for sharing things worth sharing! There is joy and motivation for one who successfully motivates another! I’m happy! Smiling!
February 5th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Life’s a work in progress. Great list - thanks!
March 6th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Once again… You guys are brilliant. Thanks for writing and compiling a wonderful list of tips. Life is a challenge and does require a simple attitude of honesty to be happy.
April 5th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
This is beautiful. I have found the less I complain, the better life gets! =)
April 15th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
April 23rd, 2012 at 10:55 am
Aw thanks.
Yeah it’s really helpful.
Always wonder what people think about me; If i say the right words; Trying to not make them get tired of me…
I give others a bigger value than what they need and I barely give value for myself.
I should work hard on myself, but yeah you helped, thanks again!
July 14th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Really inspiring, wise words, thanks!
November 1st, 2012 at 7:27 am
Thank you so much for sharing all this knowledge; it really helps me out when I down.
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