THE POWER OF LESS

BY LEO BABAUTA
The Power of Less by Leo Babauta is a guide on how to de-clutter you life and work
to create more time for the important things. Leo explains how identifying the
essential aspects of your life and eliminating all of the non-essentials can allow you
to focus on goals and aspirations that can continue to change your life for the
better. We live in a world that is fast-paced and very-full, this book helps show you
that slowing down and having less can actually be beneficial.

WHY LESS IS POWERFUL

There is only so much we can do or consume. There are a finite number of hours in
a day, and once we reach that limit to our production, we can’t do more. The
problem with trying to increase volume is that it doesn’t always produce the best
results.
Doing more things means you’re likely to do a lot of unimportant things, and you’ll
be over worked and stressed at the same time.

Principle 1: Set limitations

By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn
to set limitations

Principle 2: Choose the essential

By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always
choose the essential to maximize your time and energy.

Choosing things with the most impact

Make the choice to do fewer things, but with the most impact. What makes a task
high-impact? Some examples are; getting you long term recognition, making you a
lot of money in the long run, have the potential to greatly advance your career etc.
To determine which tasks have the most impact, first examine your task lists. Ask
yourself whether a task will have an impact that will last beyond this week or this
more impact.

An alternative way to determine which task has the most impact is by first
assessing your goals and identifying what you want to accomplish in the next year.
Plan your tasks so that each day, you are doing something to further these goals
along.

Apply limitations to every aspect of life

First, ask yourself the following questions;

Which areas of your life are overwhelming? What would you like to simplify? Do
you want to limit the number of possessions you have, what information you
receive or what responsibilities you have? For example, if you have too many
emails in your inbox, apply a limitation: only check your email twice a day and
respond to 5 emails each time. This way you’ll work more effectively and only deal
to important emails.

THE ART OF SETTING LIMITS

Many of us live our lives without limits, we have too much stuff to do, too much
information, too much clutter, to many papers. Being limitless is weak. Learn to
focus yourself with limits, and you’ll increase your strength.

How limits can help

Limits simplify things, life becomes more manageable and less stressful It helps
you focus your energy on a smaller number of things Helps you to focus on what’s
important Limits help you achieve more by focusing only on the essential It shows
others that your time is important. They will value your time more Limits help you to
be more effective. What to set limits on?

Everything in your life can have limits set to it, you don’t need to revamp your entire
life all at one. Start with one area at a time. Some ideas for a good place to start
are; emails, the amount of time spent on the phone, projects, blogs you subscribe
to, internet time or simply the amount of things on your desk.
How to set limits
Analyze your current usage levels and pick a lower limit that you think is ideal Test
it out for a week, analyse whether that’s working for you If it doesn’t work, adjust to
a new level and test that out for a week Continue to adjust until you find the right
level, make this a habit.

CHOOSING THE ESSENTIAL AND SIMPLIFYING

Once you know what’s essential, you can reduce your projects, your tasks, your
stream of incoming information, your commitments, your clutter. You just have to
eliminate everything that’s not essential.

A series of questions – choosing the essential

What are your values? Do you have goals? What do you love? Identify the things
most important to you. What has the biggest impact? Where is the most long-term
impact Needs vs. wants Eliminate the nonessential Continual editing Note:
choosing the essential is almost never a one-time decision. It’s something you
have to re-visit regularly, as new things accumulate, as your values and goals
change, as you learn that you can live with less and less.

Principle 3: Simplifying – eliminating the nonessential

Once you’ve identified the essential, the task of simplifying is theoretically easy –
you just have to eliminate all the non-essential. In practice, this isn’t always easy,
although it does get less difficult the more you do it.

SIMPLE FOCUS

Principle 4: Focus is your most important tool in becoming more effective.

Focus is the most important factor in determining whether you’ll achieve a goal or
stick to creating a new habit. Maintain your focus on goals and habits. Focusing on
now, the present can also do a lot for you. It helps reduce stress and helps you
enjoy your life to the fullest. Only focus on the task at hand, and focus on the
positive. Be aware of negative thoughts and replace these with positive ones.
Single Tasking
Multitasking is less efficient, due to the need to switch gears for each new task and
then switch back again. It is more complicated and leaves you prone to stress and
errors. Multitasking can be crazy-making, and in this already chaotic world, we
need to rein in the terror and find a little oasis of sanity and calm.

Instead, single tasking is the way to go. First thing in the morning, work on your
most important task, don’t do anything else until this is done. Block of all
distractions while you work on this task, shut off email, phones etc. Resist the urge
to check emails, focus only on the task at hand. Once you’ve completed the task,
process your notes and inbox, add new tasks to the to-dos and process any emails.

Focus on the present

When you eat, just eat. Do one thing at a time. Be aware, especially of your
thoughts Exercise, focus only on the exercise you are doing Have daily routines
Put up reminders Remember, there is no failure. Celebrate every little success

CREATE NEW HABITS, AND THE POWER OF LESS CHALLENGE

Principle 5 – Create new habits to make long-lasting improvements

The only way you’ll form long lasting habits is by applying the power of less: focus
on one habit, one month at a time. Select one habit, write down a plan, post your
goal publicly and report on your progress daily.When complete, celebrate your
new habit!

When complete, celebrate your new habit!Make sure you choose something

Make sure you choose something measureable, so that you can assess how
you’re doing, be consistent and keep a positive attitude, remember setbacks
happen!

START SMALL

Principle 6: Start new habits in small increments to ensure success

Starting small will narrow your focus and keep your energy and enthusiasm
going for longer. It will be easier to handle which will ensure your success.
Gradual changes are longer lasting, they are more likely to stick around.An
example is, if looking to introduce waking earlier in the mornings, start by

An example is, if looking to introduce waking earlier in the mornings, start by

waking fifteen minutes earlier instead of an hour.

SIMPLE GOALS AND PROJECTS

It’s easy to set goals, but extremely difficult to achieve them if they are goals worth
achieving. The Power of Less is perfect for achieving goals: limit yourself to fewer
goals and you’ll achieve more.

The one goal system

Choose one goal, focus all of your energy on this goal until you can check it off.
Ensure that this goal is something you really want to accomplish, the stronger your
desire, the more likely you are to achieve this goal. Choose a goal that will take
between 6 months and a year to complete.Break your yearlong goal down into
sub-goals. Make it a step by step process so you can focus on one at a time.
These are more immediately achievable and can keep your motivation up.Break
your

Break your yearlong goal down into sub-goals. Make it a step by step process so
you can focus on one at a time. These are more immediately achievable and can
keep your motivation up.Each week, create a goal that will help you move closer
to your sub goals, and break this down into daily actions that you can take.

Each week, create a goal that will help you move closer to your sub goals, and
break this down into daily actions that you can take.Create a projects list that you
can write all your tasks up on, and cross them off as you go. Don’t move onto the
next project until the current one is complete.

Create a projects list that you can write all your tasks up on, and cross them off as
you go. Don’t move onto the next project until the current one is complete.Ensure
that you have an outcome in mind, and reassess your progress as you go. Ensure
you are on track and don’t get side-tracked.Ensure that you have an outcome in
mind, and reassess your progress as you go. Ensure you are on track and don’t
get side-tracked.

Ensure that you have an outcome in mind, and reassess your progress as you go.
Ensure you are on track and don’t get side-tracked.
SIMPLE TASKS

MITS – Most Important Tasks

These are the tasks you most want or need to get done today. Start with three
per day and see if that works for you. Ensure that no matter what else you do or
don’t get done that day, that these three tasks (MITS) are complete.Ensure that
one of the MITs should be related to your goals, the other two can be related to
work stuff. The best way to attack MITs is to get them done first thing in the day,
do not leave them till last.

Ensure that one of the MITs should be related to your goals, the other two can be
related to work stuff. The best way to attack MITs is to get them done first thing in
the day, do not leave them till last.

Small tasks
Focusing on fewer but more critical tasks is important, but to really simplify our
tasks, break them down into small tasks that can be completed in an hour or less.

SIMPLE TIME MANAGEMENT

An open approach
For those overwhelmed by a schedule, instead of allowing your life to be ruled by
your calendar, let your life be ruled by the moment. Know your priorities and from
moment to moment, decide what you should be doing based on your priorities, how
much time you have available and your energy level.

Reduce your tasks

The fewer tasks you have, the less you have to do to organize them.
Eliminate, delegate and postpone these. Focus on simplifying, reducing and
eliminating.

Batch Processing
Batch tasks together, for example, block out a period of time to make all of your
phone calls, and set aside an hour a day for paperwork. Only check your emails
first thing and last thing and block out time for errands that you need to run.
SIMPLE EMAIL

Limit your inboxes – you might receive information through a variety of different
sources, think multiple email addresses, texts, blog comments, messages online
etc. Evaluate which sources give you value and eliminate others if possible.Limit
your time per day – the best option is to check twice a day at 10am and 4pm,
however, do whatever works for you. Just don’t check all day, every day.

Limit your time per day – the best option is to check twice a day at 10am and
4pm, however, do whatever works for you. Just don’t check all day, every
day.When you do check your emails, p

When you do check your emails, process quickly. Work from the bottom to the top
and deal with the immediately; delete, archive, reply, put on your to-do list or
forward. Get it out of the inbox. Be liberal with the delete key, is it entirely
necessary that you reply to every email? Keep going until your in-box is clear.

SIMPLE INTERNET

Awareness: Track your usage

Use a tool to track the time you spend online, this will make you aware of it, and
sometimes it can be eye-opening. Take a look at what sites are time-wasters for
you.

Consciousness: Make a plan

Consciously plan your use of the internet. Set limits and have purpose for your time
online.

Focus: Learning to work while disconnected

Put distractions such as the internet in the background and allow yourself more
time to focus on your task. Get your internet research done first. Then shut it off,
set a time and work un-distracted for a set amount of time. Don’t be tempted to
‘jump online’ quickly.
SIMPLE FILING

So often people have desks stacked with papers, in other words, a disorganised
mess. You want to aim to have a clean and clear desk. The first step is to create a
simple system for organizing paper work, and then get into the habit of using your
chosen system immediately and routinely.The simplest system is alphabetical, use
manila folders with labels and create a file for each client/project.

The simplest system is alphabetical, use manila folders with labels and create a file
for each client/project.File things right away, don’t let them build up. Another tip is
to store reference information online, reduce incoming paper, ask people to email
you instead and stop printing stuff out unnecessarily.
File things right away, don’t let them build up. Another tip is to store reference
information online, reduce incoming paper, ask people to email you instead and
stop printing stuff out unnecessarily.

SIMPLE COMMITMENTS

Reducing the commitments in your life could free up the time you need to focus on
the important work and to achieve the things you want to achieve. You free up time
to pursue things your passionate about.Take inventory of your commitments,
whether it be work, side work, family, kids, civic, religious, hobbies, home or online.
Make a short list of your 4-5 most important commitments. Begin to eliminate the
non-essentials, if you’re not getting any value from something cut it out. Start small
but pursue this. Learn how to say no to new requests. Make time for what you love.

Take inventory of your commitments, whether it be work, side work, family, kids,
civic, religious, hobbies, home or online. Make a short list of your 4-5 most
important commitments. Begin to eliminate the non-essentials, if you’re not getting
any value from something cut it out. Start small but pursue this. Learn how to say
no to new requests. Make time for what you love.
SIMPLE DAILY ROUTINE

Examine your daily routine, particularly the mornings and evenings.

The Power of a morning routine.

With a well-planned morning routine you can prepare for your day and set goals.
You can fit in some exercise, reading, writing or other things you don’t have time
for. You can do something enjoyable, calming and relaxing.

Supercharge tomorrow with an evening routine

In the evenings you can use time to prepare for the next day, unwind and review
your day. Calm yourself before bed or spend quality time with loved ones. You
can log, journey, write or exercise.Pick activities that you enjoy and try your new
routines out for a few days, adjust as needed. Maybe you start with a cup of
coffee while you watch the sunrise, followed by a quick stroll around the
neighbourhood and a short planning session. You can wind down your day by
cooking dinner and eating with a loved one, reviewing your day, preparing for the
day ahead and reading something enjoyable.

Pick activities that you enjoy and try your new routines out for a few days, adjust as
needed. Maybe you start with a cup of coffee while you watch the sunrise, followed
by a quick stroll around the neighbourhood and a short planning session. You can
wind down your day by cooking dinner and eating with a loved one, reviewing your
day, preparing for the day ahead and reading something enjoyable.

DECLUTTER YOUR WORKSPACE

Set aside time to declutter your desk, the benefits of a clear desk are;

It allows you to focus. It gives you a zen-like sense of calm. Follow up decluttering
your desk with decluttering your home. Having a simple home is beneficial
because:

Less stressful More appealing Easier to clean Set aside time every day to keep
your workspace and living space clear. This will lead to a clearer mind and better
ability to focus. Be ruthless, get rid of unnecessary stuff.
SLOW DOWN

Slow Attention
Unfortunately, with the hectic pace of our lives, our attention is pulled in a million
different directions all the time. We switch our attention from one thing to the next
and back again. As a result, nothing gets enough attention. Learn to focus your
attention, slowly move your focus from one thing to another when the previous task
is dealt with.

Slow Working
Working at a slower pace can be more productive, as contradictory as that might
sound. If you can focus on the important tasks and projects, and keep your focus
on those tasks, you will accomplish important things.

Slow Eating
Take smaller bites, chew slower and you will enjoy your meal for longer. This
will allow you to enjoy your food, have better digestion and less stress.

SIMPLE HEALTH AND FITNESS

Real health and fitness comes over a period of months and years. Lasting change
is made gradually, in small increments, in a way that you can sustain for life.

Use the first month to focus exclusively on forming an exercise habit. Make it
regular and important. Start small and focus on making it a habit. Schedule your
workout time and don’t allow yourself to miss a day. Don’t give up and be
accountable to others. Also, have fun! In month two, maintain your exercise habit
while making gradual, healthy changes to your diet. Don’t get starving, eat when
you’re lightly hungry. Eat light foods, nothing too heavy. Eat slowly and until you are
full, not stuffed. Every month thereafter, set short-term goals for gradual
improvements in your exercise and diet plans. Reward yourself each month and
stay accountable. Gradually increase exercise and add variety. Continue to eat
healthier by adding variety and new flavours.
ON MOTIVATION

Motivation is what drives you towards a goal, what keeps you going when things
get tough. The best kind of motivation, is for you to really want something, to get
excited about it and be passionate.

• Start small, start with an easy goal and grow from there.
• One goal, one at a time, focus on it completely.
• Examine your motivation, know your reasons.
• Really, really want it.Commit publicly.
• Get excited.
• Build anticipation.
• Print it out, post it up.
• Just Start.