Extra Organized

Life purpose, simplified

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the concept of purpose? Do you feel like you need an ultimate "reason for being" that can direct all your decisions and actions? This instinctual desire for meaning is easy to overcomplicate. Yes, we have purpose, but it cannot be summed up in a finite statement, and we contribute to life and to each other in many profound ways during the course of one day, let alone over a lifetime.

In traditional organizing, it is fashionable to draft a mission statement to condense this meaning into a paragraph or a page. Language, however, can frustrate our experience by attempting to define that which is impossible to contain in words. Yes, we can create a short guiding statement to remind us of what is important at this point in our lives, but our purpose can only ever be lived in the present moment.

In his book, A New Earth: Create a Better Life (2009), the philosopher Eckhart Tolle writes that our purpose is in the moment we are in right now, and it is uncomplicated. He uses the example of walking across a room to pick up a book: our secondary purpose is to pick up the book; while our primary purpose is simply to walk.

What a relief! We can throw ourselves into our lives just as they are now—without thinking we need to be more, have more, do more. Regardless of whether we are considering inner (spiritual) or outer (worldly) purpose, we can get on with life, content that we will discover and live our purpose as we go; by simply living each moment.

A refined priority list

Early in my blog, I wrote about concentrating on a few key projects or passions as a way of pouring our energy into what is most important.

The good news is that even if we have a shortlist of four or five priorities, we can hone our focus even further.

Why might we want to do this? Because it’s not possible to excel at everything on our list, and we can’t concentrate on the whole lot at once.

Our priorities don’t carry equal weight: some will be absolutely critical at this moment in our lives (perhaps parenting or a new job), while others we might do for pleasure rather than mastery (such as a favourite hobby).

By ordering and further defining our list, we can figure out the relative importance of each item, and thus where to concentrate our energy and skill refinement, as well as where we can relax and enjoy without striving.

Here’s an example of how my priority list looks at the moment:

1. Relationships. This area includes spirituality and connection with my family and friends. Nothing is more important to me than this. I want to reserve my freshest energy for this priority.
2. Writing. I would like to excel at my writing, so it’s high on the list. I indulge this passion through my blog, research-related work, and reading. I make time to write regularly, and publish consistently so that I don’t leave this skill development to chance.
3. Organizing. For years, I left this off my list as it didn’t feel like a “normal” interest! Once I acknowledged that I really do love to declutter and organize (and that it makes my life easier), I allowed it back onto my list and instantly felt better :)
4. Music. I enjoy playing the piano, and have recently started learning the guitar. It’s pure pleasure, and I don’t care whether I ever manage to do it all that well. I have no longer-term goals other than to keep taking lessons, and to practice most days.
5. Hiking. I am thrilled when I manage a half-day walk in a beautiful location, let alone attempting anything major. Being “hiking-fit” motivates me to exercise, and I am looking forward to being able to do more one day, but for now it’s lower in priority so I do it when I can.

A short, sharply focused list simplifies daily decision-making, shows us where to invest the majority of our time, energy, and money, and guides us in our leisure time. It helps us fill our days with motivating and challenging activities that provide more satisfaction than getting stuck completing non-priority tasks, or just struggling to keep up.

Is your priority list short and sweet; or do you feel pulled in many directions?

Slow reading

Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.
Martin H. Fischer

Speed reading is recommended as an effective way to rapidly absorb as much written material as possible. Because there is so much to read—novels, non fiction, blogs, emails, magazines, newspapers, textbooks—surely it makes sense to read quickly?

For me, this method takes the joy out of reading. I use it sometimes, to skim a research paper, or scan a long email, but I invariably end up feeling rushed and discontented.

I also notice that I read quickly when I’m not all that interested in whatever is in front of me. It’s a good sign to stop and move on to something else. I remind myself that just because the words are there, they don’t have to be read!

Instead, I like to savour words, ponder their meaning, and even re-read a delightful passage over and over. Reflecting on the simple beauty of a single word is another pleasure. Who can resist such gorgeous words as upon, exquisite, grace, bittersweet, or precise :) I can’t do any of this when I’m reading with volume as my goal.

At the moment, I am learning about using mindfulness as a way of “shining a spotlight" on an activity (Harris, 2011, The Confidence Gap: From Fear to Freedom).

I applied this to an article I wanted to read in the latest issue of Wild magazine (#127) the other night. I settled back onto comfy pillows in a lamp-lit darkened room while the wind blew strongly outside. I sank into the article, reading it slowly, pausing to re-read or think whenever I wanted, blocking out everything but the words on the page, and the thoughts and images they evoked in my imagination.

I experienced the article. It was reading as meditation. It was bliss!

There is a limit to the number of books I will read in my lifetime. I’m going to enjoy them with slow, mindful reading!

Extra Organized expert tip: The Pleasure/Achievement Principle

Consultant psychologist and executive coach, Chris Skellett, has written a book exploring the balance between pleasure and achievement: When happiness is not enough (2011). He writes that although the two states are not mutually exclusive, we naturally tend toward indulgence or accomplishment.

To increase happiness, Skellett advocates strengthening our non-dominant style. He writes: “Cognitive flexibility, or the ability to play both sides of the pleasure/achievement continuum, is a key attribute for those seeking to live a more fulfilling life” (p. 34).

What I particularly liked was the idea of choosing activities that combine both pleasure and achievement for a double-hit of happiness. For example:

• Walking in nature (relaxation and exercise)
• Practicing a musical instrument (creativity and learning)
• Doing a household chore mindfully (enjoying the feeling of “flow” while getting a job done)
• Sharing a task with a partner, child, or friend (togetherness and accomplishment)
• Organizing (enjoyment and contributing to a better life)
• Reading (relaxation and increased knowledge)

I tend toward achievement: I get a buzz from crossing items off my list, and always work toward completion, even if I’m reading a book. When I wake on a weekend morning, I think about what needs to be done rather than how I can enjoy some downtime. I’m looking forward to including more pleasure in my life—activities enjoyed for their own sake.

What about you? Do you need to seek more pleasure or achievement?

When happiness is not enough is available from www.exislepublishing.com.au.

Bring your holiday home

Travelling is about being engaged with people and experiences. Exploring new places and doing new things focuses our attention, helping us live more in the world than in our heads.

There are many elements of a trip away that contribute to a relaxed, vibrant feeling. Everything feels lighter: possessions, schedules, chores, and worries.

Why can’t we live more like this at home? Why are we so quickly drawn back into overcrowded timetables, office politics, and exhaustion upon our return? Why confine the pleasures of travelling to a few days or weeks of the year?

Whether you prefer to backpack or stay in five-star resorts, here are some ways to incorporate a vacation feeling into everyday life. The left column lists typical holiday pleasures, while the right includes ways we can experience similar at home.

On holiday	At home
Go with the flow.	Plan ahead for essentials to happen; otherwise take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Deliberately take it easy for a week, cross unnecessary tasks off your list instead of adding new ones, and let the little things go.
A break from work.	Set limits on your work hours. Concentrate on knocking jobs off your list while at work; then leave it behind at the end of the day. Be aware of office politics, but don’t engage.
More time for relationships.	Create an unwinding routine at the end of the day. Chat with your partner or friends over drinks and nibbles, or enjoy some solitude. Have dinner prepped so you can savour the time. Play traditional holiday games (such as board or card games) as a family.
A fun itinerary.	Plan your leisure time. Rediscover a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm by learning a new skill, or spending time on an interest you rarely get time for. Explore your local area—go hiking, visit a museum, or go to an outdoor concert.
Evenings off.	Decide that you will clock off at a certain time each evening. Spend this time however you prefer—take a bath, read a book, watch movies.
More time in nature. On an outdoor-oriented holiday, such as camping or hiking, you rise with the sun, cook your evening meal before the sun sets, and go to bed early.	It’s easy to get out of sync with the natural world in a climate-controlled home and office. Live with the day’s natural cycles. When was the last time you enjoyed a sunrise or sunset at home?
Moving on regularly means everything is prepped and packed by the end of each day. Fewer possessions make this easy.	Return everything to its place each evening (eliminate excess until it’s possible to do so). Put away washing, sort paperwork, and wipe over basins and benches so you can start the next day fresh. Choose tomorrow’s meals (and snacks) and organize the ingredients. Check the weather and lay out clothes. Be ready to dive straight into your plans the next morning.
Less time on chores and maintenance.	Set up your home and garden to be low-maintenance. Limit the time you spend on housework by focusing on the important 20 per cent of a task and stopping at “good enough”.
A streamlined hygiene routine.	Pare your products back to those you use often. Is it possible for you to keep everything in one small bag?
A break from the media.	Turn off your TV and computer for awhile. Even a few days' rest from news, advertising, and empty entertainment will refresh your spirit.
A fresh perspective.	Pretend you’re on a working holiday, and living in your current location for a limited time. What’s the weather like? What is there to do? What friends might you make? Appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of where you are now.

How could you recreate a holiday feeling at home?