Joshua Becker's Blog, page 153

How to Keep Your Desk Clear

A businessman from the Philippines once gave me priceless advice. He said, "Clear off your office desk every night before you leave. You'll be thankful in the morning." Since then, I have tried to do that very thing every evening before I leave. And I have seen numerous benefits from the practice:

Less Distraction. A cluttered office desk is filled with potential distractions. Sticky-notes, business cards, file folders, and uncompleted projects all clamor for our attention every moment of the day. Removing them allows our mind to better focus on the most important project of the moment: the one you are working on.
More Freedom. A clear desk grants freedom to pursue the project of your choosing. Your to-do list is not held captive by the folders on your desk. It is determined by you – even if you are getting direction from someone else.
New Opportunity. A new day brings new opportunity and the potential to accomplish something great. Walking into an office with yesterday's work still visible immediately anchors you to the past, tying yesterday's rope to today's potential. But a clean desk breeds life, encouragement, and endless possibilities. Even if your new day is going to consist of completing yesterday's project, starting again or reopening the file offers new opportunity and a new way to see a problem or accomplish a task.
Increased Reputation. A clean desk indicates a clean and focused mind. It makes you look efficient, accomplished, thorough, and organized. And while nothing can replace a job well done, a clear desk can only help improve your reputation among your co-workers.

Granted, a clear desk comes more naturally to some than others. But I stand as proof that the principle of a clean desk can be applied to any worker's personality. Here are six steps that I have found particularly helpful in making the transition:

Reduce your Office Items. The first step in keeping your desk clear is keeping less things on it and around it. Seems simple enough… almost so simple that it often gets overlooked. Take a look around your desk surface. What doesn't absolutely need to be there? Photos, calendars, books, supplies, and food should all be considered. If it's not essential, remove it permanently.
Use Drawers. Using drawers isn't cheating, it's smart. It keeps your projects, tools, and supplies at your fingertips while still removing them from your line of sight. In my drawers, I store all of my supplies (pens, stapler, etc.) and my current projects. My current projects are stored in labeled folders in my top drawer for easy access. And only the current project that I'm working on gets to be on my actual desk surface.
Finish Your Projects. One of the biggest enemies of desk clutter is unfinished projects. Sometimes, they lay on our desks for weeks distracting us and taunting us. The mind clutter of an unfinished project can be crippling at times. If the project can be completed in less than 20 minutes, see it through to completion right away. If the project will take longer, find a drawer to store it in until you are ready to pull it out and work on it again.
Store Things Digitally. A simple Contacts program and Tasks program can probably remove 95-100% of the notes cluttering your workspace (I have always used Microsoft Outlook). Find one and learn to use it. Those sticky-notes will no longer clutter your screen or distract your mind. And you'll never lose one again either. I have found this method to be both liberating and essential.
Limit Computer Distractions. While your computer can be essential in helping to eliminate the clutter from your desk, it can provide distraction of its own. Help your cause by decluttering your computer desktop along with your physical desk. For starters, find a non-distracting wallpaper image and remove all unnecessary icons.
Set aside 5 minutes. Take the last 5 minutes of every day to clear the surface of your desk. Rest assured that once you get started with the habit, it'll take far less than 5 minutes. But set that much aside at the beginning. Trust me, your morning you will thank you.

A clear office desk will grant you more focus, peace of mind, and productivity. And that's good for both you and your company.



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Buck Naked Marriage: An Interview with Corey Allan

I have often said that the greatest thing about blogging is inspiring others. But the second greatest thing about blogging is getting to meet new people. Corey Allan is one of those guys that I have had the privilege of meeting during my journey into blogging.

I have followed his site, Simple Marriage, for quite some time and have always appreciated his approach to marriage steeped in commitment, love, and selflessness. When I had the chance to speak with him on the phone this past summer, I was not surprised to meet a humble family man with a genuine desire to help others succeed in their marriage… not to mention, a Marriage and Family Therapist with a Ph.D. who knew what the heck he was talking about.

When he told me that he was coming out with a new e-book about simplifying marriage down to its bare essentials, I was immediately intrigued. And now I am proud to partner with him and promote its launch. Buck Naked Marriage is available right now for $9.50 and is designed to offer key insights into keeping your marriage lasting and successful. To celebrate its launch, Corey allowed me the opportunity to read it in advance and conduct a short interview with him to find out more about the e-book.

1) Corey, introduce us to yourself and your website, Simple Marriage.

Simple Marriage began almost 2 1/2 years ago as a place I could house articles I was writing for a small town newspaper. After several people began commenting, I gave up writing for the paper and began blogging more. Simple Marriage is about simplifying things in relationships in order to experience more out of them.

2) Tell us about your book. What's it about? How did you compile the research? And what are you hoping to accomplish through it?

Buck Naked Marriage is about the basic elements necessary for a marriage to thrive. In 2009 I did some research with my readers and asked them what they think are the basic elements necessary for success. After 1,028 people responded, I compiled their answers and uncovered the top ten elements. They're pretty much common sense things – like communication, love, respect, honesty and the like. But in the book, I take a slightly different look at each of these elements and how they play out in relationships. More specifically, I believe marriage is designed to help us grow up into better people, so each of the elements are covered through the lens of growing up and creating a better marriage.

3) The first section of your book discusses these ten essential elements for a successful marriage. Which two or three do you find married couples struggle with the most?

The biggest struggle I hear about from my readers and see with my clients would be communication, trust, and respect (the last one is more in my counseling practice – since most of the time, couples seek out counseling far too long after the problem has become a problem.) The simple truth is, every couple will have some struggle with each of these aspects of relationships at some point – how you address them is what matters.

4) What part of the book was the toughest for you to write? And why do you think that was?

There were a couple of chapters that were tough to begin with but the toughest to write was the chapter on honesty. I consider myself an honest person, especially to others, but I have discovered lately that I'm not always honest with myself. I struggle with the rationalization monster when I need to face some harder truths at times. For me it was hard to write about honesty while at the same time owning some of my own lies.

5) In one paragraph or less, convince a reader why they should buy this book.

There are many things that bog down relationships and for many people, when struggle occurs, the problems or issues get all the focus. When you can focus on the essentials of every relationship however, you keep things simple and increase the potential of the relationship in the process. Stated another way: when you maximize strengths you minimize weaknesses.

Thanks Corey. And good luck, man. You deserve it.

Buck Naked Marriage is available starting today for $9.50. If you are interested, you can find out more at his website, Simple Marriage.

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7 Bloggers I Would Like to Publicly Thank

If you didn't get a chance to notice, Becoming Minimalist made a brief appearance on CBS News last week. (Just to be clear, by brief, I mean "fly-by brief… don't-blink-brief… and I-think-that-was-it-right?-brief."). But the interesting thing was that the news story had nothing to do with me. The news story was about Everett Bogue's minimalist lifestyle of living with less than 100 things. It was entirely about him (and some nice young lady who owns 500 shoe strings).

Everett e-mailed me that afternoon and gave me the head's-up that Becoming Minimalist might make an appearance on the broadcast. Apparently, they were hoping to show a few screen shots from minimalist-lifestyle websites and Everett had given them this address. When they chose to use it, I sent Everett a private message just to thank him for the extra publicity.

And as soon as I sent him the message, I regretted it…

Everett had just helped this website be seen by 5 million viewers worldwide… and I sent him a private message of gratitude that would be seen by exactly 1 other person? How unfair was that? As I considered the irony of the private message, I was reminded of countless other bloggers who have helped Becoming Minimalist over the years become what it is today… most of which also received private messages of gratitude.

So to help set the record straight, here are 7 Bloggers I Would Like to Thank Publicly:

1. Leo Babauta, Zen Habits. It was Leo's post titled "A Guide to Creating a Minimalist Home" that inspired me to embrace minimalism. It was Leo's link on August 12, 2009 that helped put this site on the map. He allowed me to introduce myself to his audience with a guest post, "The Lost Practice of Resting One Day Each Week." And his support for both of my e-books have been extraordinary. His blog was named as Time Magazine's #1 blog of 2010 and is outclassed only by his humility. Leo, thank you for helping readers find Becoming Minimalist and for being a shining example for all of us.

2. Tammy Strobel. Rowdy Kittens. Tammy's amazing story hit the nation in grand style on Sunday, August 08, 2010 when it was featured in the New York Times. The following Monday, she was on MSNBC. Tuesday was AOL. Wednesday was the Today Show. And on Thursday of that week, she published an article featuring an interview with me discussing my second book, Inside-Out Simplicity. That interview led to Becoming Minimalist's busiest day ever. Earlier this summer, Tammy became the first minimalist blogger that I talked to on the phone. I sent her an email and with some technical questions. Her response was "Give me a call. Here's my number." It was a pleasure. Thanks Tammy for living a minimalist lifestyle and including me in your success.

3. Everett Bogue. Far Beyond the Stars. As mentioned previously, Everett graciously included Becoming Minimalist in his conversations with CBS News. Also deserving of a public thank-you, Everett's first book, The Art of Minimalism, inspired me to write my first e-book: Simplify (keen observers will notice my book launched 1 month after his e-book launched). Everett has promoted both of my e-books with interviews. And I have learned more about blogging by watching him than from anyone else. Also, I shouldn't forget to mention the fact that it was Everett's personal editing of my photo that has led to my on-line face for the past 10 months. Thanks Everett for the publicity, inspiration, and support.

4. Mandi Ehman. Organizing Your Way. Mandi was the first to offer me a guest post opportunity. To be sure, it brought me plenty of new traffic and readers. But more than that, receiving an e-mail from a full-time blogger asking for a guest post gave me unparalleled confidence and inspiration to continue in my blogging journey. Since then, our relationship has continued. When she launched her brand new Life… Your Way blog, I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to become a regular contributor (to get a taste, check out 10 Minutes to a Clutter-Free Morning). Imagine my surprise months later when I was back-stage waiting to give a presentation to a roomful of preschool mothers on the joys of simplicity and the organizers showed a YouTube video of Mandi organizing her toy room. It was almost too ironic. Thanks Mandi for believing in the ability of a new-blogger and for continuing to include me in your present endeavors.

5. Joshua Griffin. More Than Dodgeball. Years ago, Joshua Griffin taught me the most important lesson about blogging that I have ever learned. He said, "The most important step in blogging is to find your voice." At the time, I had no idea what that meant… until I found my voice. And now, I both understand and agree. The most important step in being a successful blogger is learning to find your voice. And once you do, you'll notice it. Thanks Joshua for challenging me to find my voice… even if you don't remember the quiet guy sitting in the back of the room that evening.

6. Karol Gajda. Ridiculously Extraordinary. One month ago, Karol laid the foundation and did all the legwork for the 3-Day Minimalist Book Sale. Through his brilliant idea, my e-book found its way into 1,600+ new readers' hands. In addition, through affiliate commissions and other sales, I made $11,000 over the course of those 72 hours. It was my most profitable week by a long-shot. And while the motivation for this blog continues to lie in inspiration rather than monetization, it still feels good to know your hard work is worth of compensation. Thanks Karol for the brilliant idea and for including me in it.

7. All the Guest Bloggers that have written for Becoming Minimalist. This blog is what it is today because of the fellow bloggers who have supported me and offered me opportunities to connect with their readers. In return, I love offering minimalist bloggers an opportunity to spread their work by guest posting on this site. Because of their contributions, this blog is better. So, a special public thank you to Tammy Strobel, Jeffrey Tang, Daniel Richard, Sam Spurlin, Brett Oblack, Lynn Fang, Robyn Devine, Courtney Carver, Bill Gerlach, Mike Donghia, Faith Janes, and Matt Madeiro. With any luck, this list will continue to grow…

All of us are who we are today because of the foundation laid by others. Who do you need to thank today?

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Why I Stopped Using a Dishwasher

You can probably just chalk it up to a life habit that I never gave opportunity… but I have always washed my dishes in a dishwasher. In fact, nearly every day of my life I have used a dishwasher. Go figure. My parents used one. My grandparents used one. It's been in every home I have lived in…. and when it wasn't available (broken or kitchen remodelings), it was a source of great stress. Dishwashers get loaded, started, and emptied. End of story. Or so I thought.

Recently, I have begun washing dishes by hand immediately following every meal. Months ago, I read a famous zen story titled, "Wash Your Bowl" (via Leo Babuata) and have considered its meaning ever since. Roughly one month ago, I decided to give the mindful practice of "washing my bowl" a literal shot in my life. I began washing every dish following every meal. And since then, I have almost completely stopped using the dishwasher.

I love it. Here are the practical benefits that I have seen in my life:

Less Physical Clutter. How often were dirty plates, bowls, and glassware left on my kitchen counter following a meal just waiting to be loaded in the dishwasher? Far more often than I would like to admit, that's for sure. Each time, physical clutter was left on my kitchen counter, table, and sink.
Less Mental Clutter. An unfinished project clutters the mind… always. Even when we were not in the kitchen, the pending responsibility of needing to clean the dishes was always hanging over our evening events. And we were specifically reminded every time we walked into (or even past) our kitchen.
Seemlessly Transition Between Activities. Once the mind clutter of dirty dishes has been removed, we are freed to move from activity to activity, event to event, and room to room. We are allowed to be fully engaged in the present… however we choose to spend our evenings. There is no need to return to the past and finish the duties of our meal.
Dishes are Always Clean. Ever need that one mixing bowl, pot, or cooking utensil, only to find out that it's still dirty sitting in the dishwasher? Yeah, me too. Washing dishes after every meal means the dishes and cooking utensils are always clean and in their drawer.
Dishes get Cleaner. Perhaps, the age of my built-in dishwasher has something to do with it, but I always hated pulling a bowl or plate out of the dishwasher that didn't quite get all the way clean. And now I never do. Dishes are cleaned fully, everytime.
It Takes Less Time. It came as a surprise, but I truly believe that washing our dishes after every meal has taken less time than loading/running/unloading the dishwasher. After most meals, it takes only 2-3 minutes to handwash each item. Cups are a snap. And most plates are a breeze to clean immediately following a meal.
Example for My Kids. My kids see parents who finish what they start, aren't afraid to put in a little effort, and leave a room cleaner than they found it. And those are life disciplines that I hope they embrace every day of their lives as they get older.
It Brings Personal Satisfaction. There is a level of satisfaction in life that accompanies working with our hands and accomplishing a task without the need for mechanical intervention. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against machines. In many ways, they allow us to accomplish and create more than we could without them. I'm just saying there is a simple satisfaction in reminding ourselves that we can still live joyfully without them.

To accomplish the task of washing dishes immediately after every meal, I use three items: a dish wand, a sink rack, and a towel. I wash, dry, and put away. And with every practice in life, I own it – not the other way around. When we entertain or have a large meal that uses a number of cooking pots and pans, we still use the dishwasher.

It's been a practical step of living intentionally. It's been a process of choosing to question my life assumptions and live mindfully in all facets. And in that way, maybe it's more than I just never gave it an opportunity… maybe it's more honest to say that I never chose to live intentionally and mindfully.

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Your Life is Too Valuable to Waste Chasing Possessions

"As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you – the first time around." - Oprah Winfrey

There is more joy in pursuing less than can be found in pursuing more. In many ways, this is a message that we already know to be true.

It's just that, since the day we were born, we have been told something different. We have been told that possessions equal joy. And because we have heard that message so many times and from so many angles, we have begun to believe it. As a result, we spend our lives working long hours to make good money so that we can buy nice stuff.

But when we again hear the simple message that there is more joy in pursuing less than can be found in pursuing more, it rings true in our hearts… because deep down, we already know it to be true. We know that possessions don't equal joy. And we know that our life is far too valuable to waste chasing them.

It just helps to be reminded from time to time. So today, remember…

Our life is short. We only get one shot at it. The time goes by quick. And once we use it up, we can't get it back. So make the most of it. Possessions steal our time and energy. They require unending maintenance to be cleaned, maintained, fixed, replaced, and removed. They steal our precious attention, time, and energy and we don't even notice it… until it's too late.
Our life is unique. Our look, our personality, our talents, and the people who have influenced our lives have made us special. As a result, our life is exactly like no one else. And just because everyone else is chasing material possessions doesn't mean we have to too.
Our life is significant. Far more than success, our hearts desire significance because significance lasts forever. On the other hand, possessions are temporal. They perish, spoil, and fade. And most of them, by design.
Our life is designed to inspire. Let's make footprints worth following. Nobody ever changed the world by following someone else. Instead, people who change the world live differently and inspire others to do the same. Possessions may briefly impress, but they never inspire.
Our life is important. Our heart and soul makes us valuable. Don't sacrifice your important role in this world by settling for possessions that can be purchased with a card of plastic.
Our life deserves better. Joy, happiness, and fulfillment are found in the invisible things of life: love, hope, peace, and relationships. And they are not on sale at your local department store. Stop looking for them there. People who live their lives in the pursuit of possessions are never content. They always desire newer, faster, or bigger because material possessions can never satisfy our deepest heart desires.

Be reminded that your life is far too valuable to waste chasing material possessions. And find more joy today by choosing to pursue "better," rather than "more."

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15 Surefire Ways to Impress Others

More often than we would care to admit, the desire to impress others motivates our lives. This desire to impress others impacts the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the technology we embrace, and the careers we choose.

Unfortunately, it is often elusive. Cars rust. Fashion changes. Technology advances. And the purchases that impressed your neighbor yesterday make no impression today. As a result, we live our lives with out-of-style clothes, jobs that we hate, skyrocketing personal debt, and jealousy towards our neighbor who seems to have it all… until that unquenchable desire to impress begs us to begin the cycle again.

The hard truth is we often look to impress others in all the wrong places.

Take a moment and identify the people in your life that truly impress you. What is it about their life that inspires you? Make a list. Very rarely (if ever) is it the car that they drive or the size of their home. Most often, the people that truly inspire us possess the invisible, intangible qualities that we all desire.

To that end, consider this list of 15 Intangible, Surefire Ways to Impress Others:

Be Generous. Regularly give your time, energy, and money to others without expecting anything in return. The giving of your life to another is one of the most impressive things you can ever do.
Laugh Often. Be that person that routinely laughs at other's jokes and stories. It concretely communicates that you enjoy life and their company. They'll be impressed and you'll be a more joyful person.
Be Optimistic. Always, always, always focus on the good aspects of people and situations. Sometimes you have to look harder than others, but you'll always be glad you did.
Love Your Kids. And by love your kids, I mean genuinely like them too. Enjoy being with them, spending time with them, and investing in their lives. This love towards children will be evident in your life even when they aren't around.
Be Faithful to Your Spouse. Marital fidelity is going out of style too quickly these days. Stay faithful to the one you chose. Trust me, your friends and colleagues will be impressed… not to mention your partner.
Develop Your Strengths. I am impressed by good singers, authors, writers, architects, speakers, CEO's, computer programmers, mothers, and athletes (just to name a few). There is only one thing they all have in common: They discovered their strengths and developed them with great discipline. Do the same with your unique giftedness and temperament. And regardless of the profession you choose, you will impress.
Travel. See the world. You will change and be better because of it.
Appreciate Different Opinions. While there is nothing wrong with being dogmatic in your beliefs, a healthy appreciation of how others came to theirs is definitely an impressive quality.
Love Your Life. Don't fall into the trap of living life like everyone else. Avoid television and consumerism. Embrace your passions and find enjoyment in your life. The people around you will be impressed… and jealous.
Encourage More. Living your life in competition with those around you will never impress. After all, everyone else is already doing that. Change the world by being different. Seek to encourage and lift up others. And the person who benefits the most just may be you.
Love Nature. People who exhibit care for the physical world around us exhibit care for all humanity.
Listen Intently. Eyes focused. Ears tuned. Cell phone off. In a world that can't move fast enough, someone who can find time to listen is as rare as a precious jewel… and far more valuable.
Be Modest. You are special, unique, and gifted. And the less you make an effort to tell everyone that, the more they will notice.
Be Content. A contented life is enjoyable, desirable, and admirable. Those who don't have it, desire it. And are impressed with those who have.
Don't Live to Impress. Live to Inspire. Give up your desire to impress everyone you meet. But never give up your desire to inspire everyone you meet.

Of course, the greatest thing about this list is that you already possess everything you need to inspire others. So why not get started? Stop trying to impress others with the things that you own and begin inspiring them by the way you live your life.

Downsize Your Digital Life

Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Matt Madeiro of Three New Leaves. It is also an answer to one of your Frequently Asked Questions .

You've cleaned your closet. You've decluttered your attic, your garage, every drawer in the kitchen, and can now count the items you own on about five or six hands. That's great!

How's your computer looking?

Minimalists we might be, but the hard drive tends to get the short end of the stick. Here's the thing: clutter is clutter, whether it's digital or not, and there's absolutely no reason to skip your computer during your next scheduled cleanup. You might not see the immediate benefits of emptying out the My Documents folder, but a clean, well-organized computer can do wonders for both your ease of mind and workflow.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

1. Dump the junk software!

It's not easy. It's not fun, either, but it's absolutely necessary if you have dozens of programs littered across your desktop. Take a good look at the applications you use on a daily basis. You'll find, in most cases, that it's only a handful, which raises serious questions about the rest still clogging up your task bar.

Do you need multiple music players? What about three or four productivity programs? Probably not. But remember — deleting the icon off your desktop does not mean you've uninstalled it. If you're using Windows, you'll need to go through the Control Panel to properly uninstall a program. Mac users can simply delete it from the "Applications" folder.

Start uninstalling the junk. It's usually a slow and tedious process, so split it up over as many days as you can. Every time you start up the computer in the morning, why not uninstall a few useless programs? Your C:\ drive will appreciate the new space, and you'll have far fewer applications slowing down your startup process too.

2. Clean your desktop!

It might seem unimportant, but a cluttered digital desktop can weigh you down just as well as a physical one. Why would you want to stare at a huge mess of icons every time you turn on your computer?

The best solution is to clean it by hand, deleting files or moving them to their respective folders. If that's too much work, however, a Windows user can put those icons out of sight by right clicking on the desktop, selecting 'Arrange Icons By' and then clicking 'Uncheck Show Desktop Icons.' The icons will still be there, but at least they'll be made invisible. Mac users can check the Preferences for any Finder window and unselect all the options underneath "Show Items on Desktop." That'll still leave folders and applications, though you can just move those where you like and enjoy an unobstructed view of your wallpaper.

3. Let Hazel do the work!

I'm not a big fan of background applications, as they tend to hog resources and slow down your computer. I make an exception, however, for Hazel (Mac OSX) and Belvedere (Windows), incredible programs that act like digital housekeepers for your hard drive.

You start by telling Hazel which folders to monitor. The program keeps tabs on my Downloads folder, currently, and runs a set of rules every time I add something new to it (in this case, downloading something from the Internet). Hazel automatically moves pictures, documents, and music to their respective folders, and even auto-trashes files that have been sitting in my downloads folder for more than a week.

Hazel's power just grows from there. If you're already stuck with a cluttered computer, why not set it do a sweep through the hard drive itself? Give it a decent set of rules and it can do an incredible amount of work for you, organizing files based on their type and generally making your life that much easier.

I have it set to empty out my trash can once a week, too. Hazel can be set to interact with your files in whichever way you want, making it incredibly easy — and incredibly simple — to keep your hard drive in great shape before regular use starts to clutter it up. The biggest benefit, I think, is in time saved — Hazel works in the background to keep your hard drive well-organized, saving you from doing most of the grunt work yourself.

4. Prune your RSS reader!

RSS readers are a great way to stay updated on your favorite sites, but they come with a price: the infamous "Unread" count, which grows higher and higher if you don't keep up with your feeds. For that reason, I've implemented a pretty strict set of rules for my RSS reader to follow.

I subscribe to less than 10 blogs at any time, and only those that I legitimately care to read on a daily basis. Likewise, I avoid sites that update frequently throughout the day, which normally includes news sites and most commercial blogs. My RSS reader is pretty sparse as a result, but anyone with an Unread count in the hundreds knows how heavy that can weigh on your mind. It's not clutter in any physical sense, but an unregulated RSS reader can be every bit as stressful.

5. You only need one password!

Passwords are messy business. With more and more sites requiring registration, it's difficult to keep track of which password goes where, resulting in the same basic set of characters being used all across the web. Password managers like 1Password (Mac OSX) and Roboform (Windows) work wonders, however, by generating — and remembering — complex, secure passwords for each site you login to.

Both programs ask you to set a "master password" that you'll use to unlock the vault, and from there a simple key combination will auto-fill your login information with ease. The change is a welcome one, and probably the best way to streamline and simplify the dozens of accounts we juggle at any given time.

6. Don't forget the Internet!

This might be the most important trick of all.

Hard drives aren't getting any smaller. Just because you can store millions of files, however, doesn't mean you should. Your computer will thank you for keeping it in clean, organized form, and you already have the most valuable tool for doing so at your disposal: the Internet.

It has everything. Manuals, music, photos and books — they're all accessible via a quick Google search, eliminating the need to make backups of your favorite content for storage on your hard drive. The most important files, sure, will benefit from a local copy, especially if you don't have the most consistent of connections. The majority of content you'll interact with on the Internet, however, never needs to leave the "cloud" and start cluttering up your hard drive.

The "I might need it someday" mentality can be especially strong here, but don't fall prey to the promise of future functionality. You don't need it. And if you do, somewhere down the line, a simple web search will provide everything you need.

That's the real lesson here: even as computers are built bigger, faster, and stronger, the same principles of minimalism — of simplicity and mindfulness — have become more important than ever before. So why not treat your digital desktop with the same respect you afford the real one?

***

Matt Madeiro is a minimalist/traveler/health geek who likes computers more than he probably should. He writes about all of those things and more at Three New Leaves. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Discovering Simplicity (Audio by Joshua Becker)

This past week, I spoke on discovering simplicity to 125 mothers of preschoolers from Vermont. I decided today to post the audio here and give some of my readers a chance to hear the presentation as well.

If the topic of minimalism/simplicity is new to you, I think you will find this presentation to be a wonderful introduction to its benefits. It is intended to be both inspirational and practical. And it runs 36 minutes long. 

On the other hand, if you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for awhile, you are probably familiar with most of the concepts covered in the seminar. But either way, here it is:

Discovering Simplicity

A few highlights:

0:00     Our Simple Message.
3:02     Our Story.
13:25   The Benefits of Minimalism.
21:00   Identifying Values and Getting Started.
29:20   Breaking the Trend of Consumerism.
34:58   The Invitation of Simplicity.

I hope you enjoy it. I value your feedback. And don't forget if you live in the Pheonix area, you can catch me live on Sunday, October 24.

Minimalism for Moms

Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Faith Janes of Minimalist Moms.

As a mom, minimalism originally seemed an unobtainable goal. I thought minimalists either traveled the globe with a single backpack of belongings or had a home with a futon and a single vase on a table…if they even had a table. That kind of minimalism works for some people and I think that's cool. That kind of freedom must be really empowering. But for me, I have these needy little people running around my house that make it abundantly clear that kind of minimalism isn't coming to live at my house.

Can minimalism really be applied to a family with kids? Sometimes we jump to conclusions that talk us out of starting. Let's start with what mommy minimalism doesn't need to look like.

Mommy Minimalism is Not:

Throwing out all the family photos
Selling your television, your car, and your couch
Owning just one pair of shoes and three interchangeable black outfits.
Getting rid of all the toys in the house (even though we've all been tempted)
Getting rid of all the children in the house (just kidding, but I've still been tempted a few times)

When I dove deeper into minimalism and saw the many different ways people were applying minimalism to their lives, I was greatly encouraged. I began to actually believe minimalism could work for me. As I started on my own journey towards minimalism my enthusiasm grew and everywhere I looked I saw where it was desperately needed.

Excess and the Need for Less

Since most of my friends are moms, I began to see the many areas of excess where minimalism could make a real difference:

Toys spilling out of bedrooms and taking over living rooms.
Drawers of kid clothes so packed that nothing else would fit.
Kitchens full of plastic storage containers, useless gadgets, and extra items that never get touched.
Schedules jam packed with sports and other extra curricular activities.
Weekends filled with obligatory birthday parties from kids at school that you had to go to just because your kid was invited.
Families that never seem to have any time spent together because they are all busy doing their own thing.
Going into debt for Christmas presents that just end up shoved under a bed or in the next annual garage sale.

Many of these I saw in my own life and in our home. There is just so much excess everywhere – excess debt, excess possessions, and excess scheduling. It's time for less! Minimalism doesn't have to mean getting rid of everything. It is simply a tangible way of choosing the things that are important and getting rid of the rest.

What Can You Do Today?

If you are sitting there like I was wishing things could be different, then just ask yourself "What can I do today to get to where I want to be?" A mom can't do everything by herself, but there is actually a lot that we can control and bring back some balance to the family.

If you want fewer toys to pick up, walk over to the toy box and start going through those toys.
If you want a cleaner, more organized kitchen, go throw away a few of the gadgets you haven't touched in months.
If you want a more cleaned out closet, get rid of the clothes you haven't worn all season.
If you want to get out of debt, cut up your credit cards and go sell something on eBay.
If you want to make some family memories, cancel the plans for this weekend and spend it together as a family.

Each family is different and every journey is unique. Tap into your power as a mom and accomplish something great for your family today.

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Faith is a mom of three who hopes to inspire mothers to pursue "less mess and more time." You can find her blog at Minimalist Moms or follow her on Twitter.

Keeping Words Plain and Simple

"Where words are many, evil is present." – Solomon

There is great power in words. Words have the ability to build up or tear down. They can make a friend or make an enemy. They can break hearts or mend them. They can spur others to action, begin movements, and change the course of history.

And they impact our lives nearly every day. Words can simplify or complicate. They can bring us freedom in our relationships or bind us to them. They can make laying our head on the pillow at night a peaceful experience or a stressful one. Simply put, our words determine the direction of our lives.

The impact of words on simplicity in life cannot be overlooked. To find simplicity, our words should stay in one of these five categories:

Kind words - Kind words build others up and foster self-esteem. They turn worry into joy and fear into optimism. They hold the power to change the course of another's life and ultimately change the course of ours. There are few things in life more pleasurable than brightening someone's day. Mother Teresa had it right when she said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
Gentle words - One of the greatest lessons we can ever learn is that a harsh attack does not require a harsh response. In fact, a gentle word has the power to break through anger and completely remove it. When someone is unkind to you, try responding with gentleness. Sometimes, it requires more courage, strength, and control, but it always holds more power.
Pleasant words. Pleasant words are light, free, and enjoyable. They brighten rooms and faces. On the other hand, unpleasant words carry weight, cause irritation and stir up negativity. Pleasant words encourage learning. If you want to truly influence others (including your children), use pleasant words as much as possible.
Honest words - Honest words communicate value and love. They refuse the low-road of empty flattery and choose the high road of trust and commitment instead. But to be effective and simplifying, honest words must be matched with honest intentions. And remember that it is always easier to be honest about another than to be honest about ourselves… choose both.
Wise words - Wise words are based in a deep understanding of people, things, and situations. They require the ability to listen, clarify, understand, and choose correctly. And they are more essential than ever! Never miss an opportunity to speak wisdom into the life of another. And never miss an opportunity to accept wisdom being spoken into yours.

Words play a powerful role in our lives and in the lives of others. We would be wise to choose them carefully.