Simplifying is a vast topic and much written about in blogs and on websites. Some possible areas of simplifying include possessions, money, time, mental energy, activities, and words. One of the major hindrances to simplifying is the incorrect paradigm of multi-tasking. Humans were not created to multi-task.

Have you noticed how this website is fairly simple? No flashing ads that draw your attention away from the subject? Use of simple colors and a few pictures to break up the text?

I have done that on purpose. One of the reasons we have trouble focusing is the attention in our society to multi-tasking. But our conscious minds work on only one thing at time. As we get older, there are more things to remember and think about like where we parked the car at the mall, birthdays, anniversaries, people's names, how we are going to pay the bills, we need more gas for the mower, etc. There are only so many hours in the day and only so many things we can focus on. Since we have limited mental resources, we must constantly make decisions about what to think about.

Here is a great article about cutting back on multi-tasking I recently read that put it into words for me and may help you.

I have spent my entire life multi-tasking. I have accomplished little in terms of depth. There were always so many things to learn and do. I wanted to learn to play the saxophone, learn several foreign languages, be able to play sports, dance, build new relationships ... on and on it went. Until I got to where I am today and I don't really do any of those things very well.

Have you ever wished you could dance professionally? Do you ever watch elite athletes and wish you could play as well they do? What is the difference between you and them? Professional athletes have a singular focus. They are usually not good at everything because they focus so well on what they are good at.

The good news is that it's not too late for you. You can be good at something. Choose something and stick with it. Persistence is the key. Decide to persist even when it gets boring ... and it will get boring.

But in order to focus, you need to simplify.

Here is a list of areas discussing various ways to simplify. Pick the ones that interest you and read about them. But remember, don't try to do too many at once. Pick one or two to work on for about 3 weeks. This gets the habit deep before trying to change something else. Read more about changing habits.

- Possessions
- Money
- Time
- Less Noise
- Mental Energy
- Activities
- Listening More
- Eliminating Gossip
- Spending Time Alone

Here are some other areas that you might not think about when simplifying but they have a profound effect on reducing complications in our lives. Honesty frees us from having to remember what we told to whom allowing our minds to work on what we choose. Persistence helps us not procrastinate which we often do when we are bored.

There are many good articles and blogs online that give practical advice to simplifying. Here are some that I have found.

Articles:
- 43 Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life
- 4 Thoughts On Simplifying Your Life From The Last 2500 Years
- 13 Small Things To Simplify Your Workday
- 10 More Uncluttering Things To Do Every Day

Blogs:
- Lifehacker
- Life Optimizer
- MakeUseOf
- Dr. Mercola

Note: Some of these blogs may not directly discuss simplifying. However, keep your eyes open for articles that might help you simplify your life.

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