Joshua Becker's Blog, page 7

The Zeigarnik Effect: The Hidden Reason Your Mind Feels Cluttered

Have you ever noticed how half-done projects seem to hang out in your brain more than those you’ve completed?

When we finish a task, whether it’s big or small, it quickly leaves our thoughts. But when we leave something unfinished—like a phone call laundry, dirty dishes, or even a puzzle on the kitchen table—it continues to occupy space in our minds, even as we move on to other activities.

There is a name for this. It is called The Zeigarnik Effect.

The Zeigarnik Effect, named after the Russian psychologist who first noticed it, Bluma Zeigarnik, explains that the human brain tends to remember unfinished or interrupted tasks better than completed ones.

Zeigarnik discovered this phenomenon while observing waiters in a busy restaurant. She noticed that they had a remarkable ability to remember unpaid orders, but once the orders were settled, the details quickly faded from their memory.

It’s similar to when you were a student in school and could remember names and dates and facts in preparation for a test. But once the test was over, you’d immediately forget the information. That’s the phenomenon—we tend to remember unfinished or interrupted tasks better than completed ones.

In Dr. Zeigarnik’s research, participants were asked to complete simple tasks like solving puzzles or performing routine activities. Some participants were interrupted midway, while others were allowed to complete their tasks. When asked later to recall what they had been doing, those who were interrupted were twice as likely to remember the details of their tasks compared to those who finished them.

This is something that many of us experience every day. And now you have a name for it.

Even better, now that we can recognize the phenomena and call it what it is, we open the doorway to live a less cluttered life with a less cluttered mind. Because we know how to use the effect for good.

Many of us carry the mental burden of unfinished tasks. And rarely do we need to look further than our own home. Whether it’s the cluttered garage, the half-painted room, the pantry that needs to be sorted, the shelf that needs to be dusted, the small repair project that isn’t finished, or that stack of papers on our desk that needs to be filed, these unfinished projects occupy substantial space in our mind.

They don’t weigh on our minds because they are more important than other things—our minds give them extra attention simply because they are undone and feel urgent. And this is so important to understand: The urgent often draws more of our attention than the important.

Our biggest goals—the most important ones—those that result in actual fulfillment, meaning, and significance receive less of our attention because the undone, unfinished projects clutter our mind.

Finish Projects to Clear Your Mind

We can use this knowledge for good. The reason our minds get cluttered is no longer hidden.

By completing projects, we free up mental space that leads to not just less stress, but a better ability to focus on what’s truly important in our lives.

Here are some ways we can accomplish this:

Own Less Stuff

The Zeigarnik Effect applies to projects and principles far bigger than the projects around our homes. But I fear as our homes have increased in size and the number of possessions we keep inside them grows, more and more of our mental energy is being directed toward the items that we own.

The more we own, the more energy and attention our things require. By simply owning less, we naturally reduce the number of unfinished projects at home.

Take Small Steps

Begin by choosing one small project around your home that you started recently and can complete today. Maybe it’s cleaning out a single drawer, organizing a bookshelf, washing the dishes in the sink, or putting away the laundry. If something manageable comes to mind right now, go finish it. Not only will this free up your mind (finally!), it will give you a nice sense of accomplishment and motivate you to tackle larger projects.

Apply the One-Minute Rule

Gretchen Rubin is the person who first introduced me to The One-Minute Rule (and long before I heard about Zeigarnik Effect). The One-Minute Rule is simply this: if something takes less than a minute to complete, do it immediately. This effect explains why the idea is so important and life-changing. It closes the mental loop on unfinished projects.

Create a Routine

Incorporate project completion into your daily (or even weekly) routine. Set aside specific times for tackling unfinished tasks and schedule enough time to fully complete your tasks. For example, I schedule all of my social media for the week on Mondays so that I don’t need to think about it after that day.

And here’s an example from home: When we eat dinner, we consider preparing the food, eating the meal, and cleaning up afterward all part of the same process. Rarely do we move on to a different activity without cleaning the kitchen first. Whenever you create a daily routine, schedule enough time to complete it entirely.

Break Larger Jobs in Smaller Tasks

One of the principles that I teach in the Uncluttered Course is the importance of breaking larger jobs into smaller tasks. Decluttering an entire home is an overwhelming thought for many. Even decluttering one room of a home can be a time-consuming task for a person. But that room can be broken into smaller manageable tasks: one shelf, one drawer, one corner.

There are many projects and dreams in life that take considerable time to complete. But when you break that larger goal into smaller, more manageable tasks, you can complete one step at a time before moving to the next. Using a 3-Item To-Do List every day will help you accomplish that.

Our lives are filled with beautiful and important dreams—goals that will bring us real, lasting joy. By finishing projects (especially those pertaining to household chores and tasks), we declutter our mind and open up the possibility to focus on larger, more meaningful pursuits.

Owning less and living a minimalist lifestyle can make this process even easier. With fewer possessions, there are fewer things to manage and fewer tasks to complete. This leads to a simpler, more intentional life where our time and energy can be directed toward what truly matters.

The post The Zeigarnik Effect: The Hidden Reason Your Mind Feels Cluttered appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Your home is your sanctuary. Let’s keep it that way.

Simplicity is about creating space in your life for what matters most. It’s about clearing the clutter from our homes and hearts so we can live with intention and purpose. 

As the world gets busier and noisier, embracing simplicity and minimalism becomes even more important.

But we all need inspiration to keep us going. That’s why I carefully selected these articles for you. I hope they inspire you to continue on this beautiful journey towards a simpler life. 

Find a cozy spot, prepare your favorite drink, and immerse yourself in these thought-provoking reads this weekend.

I Wasn’t Sure How To Celebrate Turning 70. Then I Sent An Email That Changed My Entire Year | HuffPost by Megan Vered. Experiences are better than things.

Attachment Styles and Our Material Possessions | Psychology Today by Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D.. Attachment styles can be used as a framework to understand our emotional connections to material possessions.

10 Unnecessary Possessions to Ditch for a Simpler, Happier Life | No Sidebar by Joshua Becker. I’ve got to be honest, most of the stuff we are told to buy and own doesn’t bring us meaning or happiness—it only distracts us from it.

Comfort Is the Enemy of Achievement | John P. Weiss by John P. Weiss. Attempt the absurd and achieve the impossible.

36% of Americans Plan to Take on Debt for Summer Travel. Here’s Why that Worries Financial Experts | CNBC by Charlotte Morabito. I don’t want to tell people they can’t have any fun, but this represents a lot of people taking on expensive debt, and this is the kind of thing that can linger.

How to Stop Shopping with No Buy July | Be More With Less by Courtney Carver. No Buy July will help you understand why you shop and how to slow down your spending.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

7 Personal Finance Principles Made Easier Through Minimalism | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Can minimalism help us spend less money? Here are 7 ways minimalism can make a direct impact on our finances and teach us how to spend less.

It’s Better to Drive an Old Car than Be Burdened By New Debt | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Is a new car or old better? Should you upgrade your phone every year? I once asked an economics professor what financial lesson he would share with the whole world if he could. His answer surprised me.

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

10 Things We Gain When We Minimize Our Stuff

I’ll never forget the day I discovered minimalism.

It was an otherwise typical Saturday morning. I was outside cleaning our garage while my young son played in the yard. My wife, Kim, was cleaning indoors while keeping an eye on our two-year old daughter.

We had decided to spend the day Spring Cleaning, hoping to bring some order to our chaotic home. Both projects—inside and out—ended up taking much longer than we had anticipated.

My neighbor, June, happened to be outside working in her yard while I plugged away at my garage. She noticed my frustration and struck up a chat. After listening to my complaints about the never-ending task of organizing and cleaning, she simply said, “You know, Joshua, that’s why my daughter is a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff.”

As soon as June introduced me to the word minimalism, I was hooked. I told Kim about our conversation and she also agreed it was worth pursuing. So that afternoon, I went online and started reading everything I could about minimalism. The more I learned, the more convinced I became that this was the change our family needed.

We began to apply minimalism to our lives gradually. Over the next several months and years, Kim and I would remove 60-70% of our things and eventually move into a smaller home.

As we minimized our stuff, we began to see profound changes in our lives. And I’ve heard about the same change in others as well.

Here are ten things we gain when we minimize our stuff:

1. Time and Money

One of the first and most noticeable benefits of minimalism was the increase in both time and money.

By reducing our possessions, we spend less time cleaning, organizing, and maintaining our home (also less time shopping). This frees up precious hours that we can spend together as a family or pursue activities we love.

Financially, we’re able to save a significant amount of money by removing unnecessary purchases, which allows us to get ahead financially, invest in experiences, or give more away.

2. Freedom to Pursue Our Passions

With fewer possessions to manage, we find the freedom to explore our passions more deeply. Whether it is writing, hobbies, traveling, volunteering, a career, or meeting with friends, minimalism provides the space and clarity to focus on what truly matters to us.

Everyone will define their passions differently. But minimalism brings the same result every time—more opportunity to pursue them.

3. A Deeper Understanding of Ourselves

Minimalism forces us to confront our values and priorities. As a friend said to me early in the process, “It seems to me that minimalism would force questions of values upon you.” He was definitely right.

But even more than that, minimalism helps us uncover unhealthy motivations in life. There are any number of reasons why we accumulate more stuff than we need—and very few of them are healthy. It’s not easy to learn difficult truths about the unhealthy motivations in our hearts, but we’re always better after doing it.

4. Bigger Dreams for Our Potential

Owning less allows us to dream bigger. Too many people (including myself for many years) define success in terms of financial goals or physical possessions. But our lives can be lived for things so much greater.

Once the pursuit of physical possessions is removed from our lives, we feel a renewed sense of possibility. We began to set higher goals for ourselves and our family, believing that we can achieve more with less holding us back and our focus undivided. Even better, minimalism not only opens the door to dreaming bigger dreams for our lives, it provides the space and freedom to begin realizing them.

5. Confidence and Courage to Live Differently

Living a minimalist lifestyle requires confidence and courage. It means going against the usual norms and expectations and external validations of success. As we experience the benefits of owning less, our confidence in our decision grows. Minimalism becomes about more than decluttering—it becomes about living a bigger life.

When we begin to see that, we also discover that there is a lot of joy to be found in living differently than the culture around us. This realization equips us to take courage in living differently.

6. Opportunity for Memorable Experiences

Minimalism opens the door to more memorable experiences for us and our family (if we have one).

With fewer possessions to distract us and more money in our pockets, we can focus on experiences and creating lasting memories with our loved ones. And these do not have to be expensive. They can be (depending how much money you save and feel good spending), but spending a lot of money is not required to create amazing memories.

7. A More Generous Heart

As we declutter our home and life, we become more aware of how much we have compared to others. Generosity is something most of us want to be true of ourselves—minimalism paves the way.

At first, we may donate our excess items to those in need. But long-term, the less we buy, the more we have to give. Minimalism will foster a spirit of financial generosity in your life and your family—displaying specifically that there is more joy to be found in giving than keeping.

8. Greater Intentionality in All Areas of Life

Minimalism sparks intentionality in every aspect of our lives—or at least, it provides the opportunity for that.

For me, I discovered that when I became more intentional in the physical possessions that I kept, I began to notice other areas where intentionality was beneficial: diet, health, calendar, work, relationships.

Intentionality in one area of life (possessions) sparks intentionality in other areas of life.

9. A Fuller, Richer View of Spirituality

Personally speaking, minimalism enriched my spiritual life in ways I didn’t expect. Almost every reader of this article will define spirituality differently. But regardless of how you define it, once you begin to remove a passion for the things of the world, you open your heart and soul and spirit to focus and grow elsewhere.

10. A More Skeptical View of the Culture’s Empty Promises

Finally, minimalism gives us a more critical perspective on culture’s empty promises. At the heart of every advertisement is the message that we’ll be happier and better off if we buy the product they are selling. But human beings have never owned as much stuff as they do—and overall happiness is not increasing.

Corporations and Madison Avenue have a financial interest in promising us a better life through the products they sell. Minimalism begins to expose those promises for what they are—empty.

Does this mean that no product will ever improve our lives? Of course not. But once we begin to experience the joy available to us when we own less, we become more discerning to the tactics they use to stir up discontent in our lives.

Minimalism, at the beginning, was just about a decision to own less stuff. But we quickly realized it was much bigger than that as we began to reflect on all the things we gain when we minimize our possessions.

You will discover them too.

The post 10 Things We Gain When We Minimize Our Stuff appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

A New Day at Becoming Minimalist

My writing career at Becoming Minimalist has fallen into two different stages: 2008—2013 and 2013—2024.

Today, begins a new one and I want to tell you about it.

2008 – 2013

For the first five years of Becoming Minimalist, I held a full-time job as pastor at a local church (one in VT, the other in AZ). The church paid my salary and writing was my hobby.

I carried no responsibility to create an income through my writing. It was a beautiful season in my life where I was free to write without worry.

However, as Becoming Minimalist grew and opportunities and time commitments expanded, it became clear I was unable to do both jobs. Because my passion to help others discover minimalism was continuing to grow, I felt dishonest collecting a full-time paycheck from a church while my mental energies were directed elsewhere.

So, in October 2013, earning just $2,000/month from this blog, I became a full-time writer. My wife took a job, we made changes in our family budget, and a new career began.

And that began the second stage of Becoming Minimalist.

2013—2024

For the last twelve years, thanks to this community and the grace of God, we have been provided for—with even enough financial excess to found a nonprofit organization, The Hope Effect, making a difference around the world because of your support.

But sitting down to write on October 01, 2013 felt different than before.

Writing was no longer a hobby or mere passion project. Starting that day, my writing would need to provide my income. Writing had become a business.

I have never regretted that decision and still do not today. Becoming a full-time writer has freed me to reach more people and create valuable resources that have changed the lives for millions of people and families around the world.

Many of the accomplishments here at Becoming Minimalist were possible only because I was freed full-time to work on them: My Books, The Uncluttered Course, Digital Magazines, the Clutterfree App, Becker Method Certification, even Speaking.

However, the change also came with a mental price tag. For five years, I was able to write with no concerns on potential income. But for the last ten years, I have had to consistently ask the question, “How can my writing pay the bills?”

And as the years have passed, and the resources have expanded, so have the costs of doing business. Becoming Minimalist LLC now consists of 8 full or part-time team members who receive a paycheck from Becoming Minimalist. Most of them with families of their own. In addition, the cost of doing business online has increased. Not counting payroll, the business/online expenses for Becoming Minimalist, just to keep doing everything we do, now exceeds $6,000/month.

Despite the rising costs, I have never wanted to create resources or programs that were inaccessible to people who would benefit from them. So I have worked hard to keep expenses low, writing articles available for free, and providing lifetime access to most resources for minimal expense.

Because of that, over the last four years, more and more of my mental energy and focus has been directed toward two questions:

What can I create next to meet the financial needs of Becoming Minimalist?How can I get members of this community to buy it?

And to be honest, I’m tired of living in that world. I don’t want to constantly be creating resources that I have to charge for. And I don’t want to constantly be sending Marketing emails to this community.

Just the opposite. I want to get back to the first stage of Becoming Minimalist—where I wasn’t having to write always focused on making ends meet for the team and the business. I want to be freed up to just write.

So, starting today, you will notice a change on Becoming Minimalist: Web-Based Ads.

2024—?

I have consulted with a reputable web-based advertising company called Raptive to begin serving ads on older posts of the Becoming Minimalist website. It is my intention to keep ads on the site into the future. But for now, I am testing them out on old posts for the months of July and August.

The reason I am making this change is because I’m tired of constantly feeling the pressure to create paid resources and sending out marketing messages to this community.

I just want to write again.

I long to be freed up from the stress of pricing and product launches and marketing emails.

I’m tired of losing sleep during launches of Uncluttered hoping enough people will sign up to fund the company for another 4 months.

And I don’t want to waste more time holding meetings and brainstorming sessions with the Becoming Minimalist Team to strategize new products that we can develop and sell.

I just want to write again.

Will advertisements on Becoming Minimalist’s old posts earn enough revenue to alleviate that need? We’ll see.

Will I never create another resource (paid or free) to help people? Certainly not. I hope I’ll be able to create even more.

If I can spend less time focusing on product launches and revenue goals—and more time just writing articles that are inspirational and helpful—then that is what I want for this next season of my life.

What This Means For You

For many of you, this change will not affect your reading experience on Becoming Minimalist.

In fact, if you are a consistent reader of this website, you will notice very little change. The homepage of Becoming Minimalist, where my newest article lives, will only contain a small ad across the bottom of the screen.

And if you sign up to receive my articles via email, you will see no ads at all in the message. If you don’t currently receive my blog posts via email, you can sign-up here for free.

People will only see ads when they choose to read older articles on Becoming Minimalist (which are really good by the way).

This change will also not affect any of the current resources available through Becoming Minimalist—this is a change only on the Becoming Minimalist website.

—

I have worked hard for the last 16+ years to keep Becoming Minimalist an ad-free website. And I am proud of the work we accomplished during that time. I wouldn’t change a thing.

But I long for the days when I could just write without concern of product launches and revenue. And I hope this change will accomplish that.

Thank you for your understanding,
Joshua

The post A New Day at Becoming Minimalist appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

How to Read Words on the Internet

I have written over two million words published on the Internet.

During the last 16 years, I’ve written over 2,000 articles, launched multiple websites (Becoming Minimalist, Simplify Magazine, Simple Money Magazine, Focus on Faith), posted consistently for over a decade on social media, and have also produced hundreds of videos on YouTube.

All that to say, I’ve been around for awhile and I’m proud of the work I’ve put in. I hope it is resulting in a positive difference.

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of changes and a lot of websites and writers come and go. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about reading words on the Internet and I’d love to try and communicate them here. As a writer, I hope I can offer a unique point of view.

Every time I publish an article, I receive hundreds (sometimes thousands) of comments and questions and email replies. And for quite some time, I’ve thought it would be helpful to sit down and write out a helpful guide on how to get the most out of the Internet.

My hope is that by doing this, not only will it improve your experience and application for every article you sit down to read; but also that it might foster a more respectful and understanding online community. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Here are 12 things to keep in mind that will serve you well when you read words on the Internet:

1. Not Every Article is for Every Person in Every Circumstance

The Internet is a vast place, and articles are often written for specific audiences. Not everything was written specifically for you or everyone you know. If your first thought when reading an article is, “Yeah, but what about that one circumstance where this might not apply?,” then it’s helpful to remember the writer probably wasn’t writing for that specific person.

For instance, if I publish an article that lists the benefits of moving to a smaller home, it’s aimed at homeowners who live in a home that is larger than they need. Certainly there are many circumstances where a larger home (or any home at all) is the best step forward for a family. But that doesn’t change the arguments in the article—that many of us would benefit from downsizing the size of the homes that we live in.

This can be helpful to remember especially in very unique circumstances that might exist for one person, but don’t exist in large amounts of the population. It can also help save you frustration when reading and help you find the content that most benefits you. Writers tend to write around topics or for people they are personally familiar with in one way or another.

*Sometimes when I write I will include the phrase, “Just to be clear, I’m not talking about ____________.” But almost every article would contain such a long list of exceptions, it’s not feasible to list them every time.

2. Not Every Opinion is a Personal Attack

We live in a world where differing opinions are often seen as personal attacks. But sometimes, an opinion is just an opinion and has nothing to do with you personally.

I once saw a tweet from Jon Acuff that illustrated how people read on the Internet perfectly. The tweet went like this:

Me: I like oranges.
Twitter: I had a bad orange once in 1997, so I now hate you.
Me: I didn’t say every orange that’s ever been was amazing.
Twitter: It was really dry.
Me: I didn’t say, ‘You like oranges.’ I said, ‘I like oranges.’
Twitter: Did you even consider my orange?

There are many people who are just argumentative by nature and the Internet scratches that itch whenever they desire. So they read articles and posts just looking for points to personally argue for or against. I find it helpful when I read argumentative comments in an article or social media post to just assume the person was out looking for an argument that day.

Remember, an opinion expressed in an article is not a personal attack on you and doesn’t always require a response if you disagree. Often times, it has nothing to do with you. Keep that in mind, and you’ll have a more peaceful, beneficial online experience every time.

3. Assume the Best Intentions

One of the greatest blessings of the Internet and social media is our opportunity to read and learn from people we do not rub shoulders with in real life.

And one of the greatest hazards of the Internet and social media is our opportunity to listen to and interact with people we don’t know in real life.

Because when you don’t know the character, integrity, and heart of another individual, and they say something you disagree with, it becomes very easy to just assume the worst about them.

This will become VERY CLEAR over the next five months with the election cycle here in America. People who don’t even know each other will assume the very worst of another human being just because of political differences. It’s helpful to remember there are genuinely good people on both sides of the aisle. In fact, from what I’ve learned living in both deep red and deep blue states, most people want the same problems solved—they just disagree on how to solve them.

I try to remember what Thomas Jefferson said, “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.”

Assuming good intentions behind the writer will lead to more productive and respectful discussions. And this applies beyond politics.

4. A Calm Answer Turns Away Wrath

There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

I have used that wisdom, as often as possible, to guide my interactions online—especially on social media. I have been viciously attacked and criticized in comment sections both here and on social media. Each time, (if it is even appropriate to respond), I try to start with a kind word: “Thank you,” “Nice to hear from you,” “I hope you’re having a great day.”

The wisdom that a kind word can turn down the heat of a conversation quickly is timeless and helpful both online and offline. When reading articles that provoke a strong reaction, responding calmly and thoughtfully can diffuse tension and foster understanding. Always start with something kind to say.

5. Not Every Article Includes Every Piece of Information

This is a no-brainer, but it is something that pops up routinely in my email interactions.

Not every article is going to address every scenario or assumption or possible misinterpretation—otherwise every article would get REALLY long. Writers must choose which points to include in an article that argues for the point they are trying to make.

That doesn’t mean they haven’t considered other aspects or scenarios or the practical application steps required to begin living out the purpose of the article; it just means they’re focusing on certain points and one specific goal. Which leads me to Point #6.

6. If You Assume Something is Being Said, but It’s Not Said, Then It’s Just Your Assumption

Recently, I posted a quote on Facebook that said this:

Physical possessions are a burden. They take dollars to buy and time to maintain. They take up physical space in our homes and mental space in our minds. Every physical item around us competes for our attention and adds stress to our lives.

A true statement. But immediately, some of the comments began attacking the quote. Here are a few:

“You’re saying minimalism means owning nothing?”

“You’re saying no possession is ever worth keeping?”

“You’re saying that no possession can ever bring us joy?”

In all scenarios, the answer was no. I didn’t say you shouldn’t own anything. I didn’t say some possessions weren’t worth keeping. I didn’t say our possessions can’t bring us joy or healing or purpose.

I just said that every possession costs us money, requires our care and attention, and adds a bit of stress to our lives. (It’s actually based on a quote from Randy Alcorn that I cite almost every time I speak: “Every increased possession adds increased anxiety on our lives.”)

A 1-3 sentence quote that you read online, or even an 800-word article, isn’t going to address every assumption that could be made about it. So find the value in what’s posted. And know that any assumptions you make beyond the actual words are only that.

7. Apply However You Can

Reading is an active process. We take in information, process it, and determine how it applies to our unique, specific lives. The same is true when reading on the Internet.

Some articles you read feel like they were written directly to you with lots of helpful, specific application points. Others will sound like they are speaking to a completely different person in a completely different phase of life. But almost every article will contain something we can learn.

Our job, as the reader, is to actively discover if the information being presented in the article is A) True; and B) Applicable to my life.

8. Consider the Full Context of a Writer’s Work

If a writer has been publishing books or online articles for years, each piece of their work is part of a broader narrative. Understanding the context within which they write can provide clarity to their articles.

For example, I write often on the topic of rest and finding an unbusy life that is focused on the things that matter. But I have also written extensively on the importance and fulfilling nature of dedicating yourself to meaningful work. When I write about the importance of finding time for rest and solitude and refreshment, for me, it’s always written with the understanding that I’m not arguing for complacency—because I have already presented the value of work in others places.

Long-time readers of a writer may understand that context. But if you are reading someone new, and want to make an assumption about them, it might be wise to dig deeper into their fuller worldview to understand the broader context within which they write.

This can be a very tricky balance for a writer—especially one who has been writing for a long time. It’s not feasible for the writer or enjoyable for the reader to discuss every required element of context. But I try to do my best by including links where appropriate.

Additionally, sometimes a deep-dive into an author’s background or worldview might change your opinion of how they see the world in a broader context.

9. Different Perspectives Offer Growth Opportunities

Encountering perspectives that differ from our own can be uncomfortable, but they also offer valuable opportunities for growth. Instead of immediately dismissing opposing views, consider what you can learn from them.

I like to ask myself, “I wonder how they arrived there and where they see the world differently than me to hold that position?” This approach broadens our understanding and fosters empathy.

Nobody is 100% right about everything. Therefore, every differing opinion might be your opportunity to grow.

10. You Can’t Believe Everything You Read on the Internet

Websites can be faked, reviews can be faked, identities can be faked, news can be faked, photos can be faked, even videos can be faked now. With the Internet available to everyone, almost everything on the Internet can be a fake—sometimes for fun, but sometimes by people with really, really bad motives. Verify, verify, verify.

11. Noone is Perfect—Even If Their Writing Sounds Like It

I’m trying my best to live a minimalist life, but I make mistakes. In fact, there’s probably lots of stuff in our home we don’t actually need. I’ve met hundreds and hundreds of writers—none are as perfect as you might think.

When I read an article about a young mom’s morning routine that begins at 5 am with a kale smoothie, lemon water, 60-minute ab workout, followed by a 5-minute cold plunge—all before getting her kids up for school and packing their organic lunch. My usual thought is, “Waking up early and working out my abs while the family is still asleep really probably would be a helpful way to start my day. But I really doubt she actually does that every single day.” Life just doesn’t work that way.

Now, that’s not to say I can’t still learn something or have that article spark a good idea that I should try in my own routine. I just don’t hold myself to a standard that probably even the author doesn’t.

12. Know When to Take a Break

Anne Lamott once said, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” I think any time we talk about using the Internet intentionally for any reason, we need to be reminded that there is lots of life happening around us when we’re stuck online. The Internet is not life—and that’s coming from somebody who makes their living on it.

By keeping these principles in mind, we can read words on the Internet more thoughtfully and intentionally. And hopefully, we’ll all get better because of it.

The post How to Read Words on the Internet appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

You Don’t Need to Spend A Lot of Money on Vacation to Make Great Memories

I recently came across a startling statistic: 45% of parents who visit Disney with young children go into debt to take the trip.

That number is a 50% increase from just two years ago. And it’s not just parents going into debt for the trip—24% of ALL visitors to the theme park take on debt for the experience.

And so this might be a helpful time to remind ourselves:

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on your vacation to make great memories.

The extravagance of summer vacationing isn’t limited to Disney (although the percentages are significantly higher). Statistics show that 1 in 5 of all summer travelers will pay for their travel on a credit card and not be able to pay it off in one billing cycle.

I assume some of the increase in vacation debt in recent years has to do with the prevalence of social media. When our friends and parent-peers brag on social media about the extravagance of their summer adventures, we naturally feel inclined to desire the same for our kids.

We want our kids to have amazing memories and stories, and experiences to brag about with their friends. Add in our own pride and desire to prove to our friends that we’re doing well financially, and you have a recipe for disaster.

But here’s the reality: You don’t need to spend a lot of money on your vacation to make great memories with your family. In fact, in the long-run, you’ll be better off not going into debt to fund your trips.

I mentioned previously that my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary earlier this month. But that’s just the tip of the family blessings I’ve received. I grew up in one of the most amazing families on the planet.

My parents have been married for over 51 years. Both sets of my grandparents remained married their entire lives. And I am still in contact with every aunt and uncle, cousin, niece and nephew in my family. We go back home to the Midwest to visit twice every year (Summer and Christmas) and we all look forward to games and food and laughter and conversation deep into the night every evening.

The closeness of my family is a blessing to me and my children. But growing up, our summer vacations were anything but extravagant. And yet, they were incredibly memorable, meaningful, and helped us develop and enrich these relationships I am so thankful for today.

The most common summer vacation I remember taking as a child was a 6-hour drive to my cousin’s house in Minneapolis. We would stay at their house, grill out in the evening, go to a Twin’s baseball game one night, and visit Valleyfair another of the days.

The cousins and us would try to stay up all night in the basement, eating potato chips, sneaking soda from the fridge, and playing Atari. The parents would play cards and talk upstairs in the kitchen.

And those memories are just as precious to me as any character I would have met at Disneyland. In fact, now that I am older and able to look back with the advantage of life experience, they are even sweeter to me. I am grateful my parents didn’t go into debt to take us on extravagant summer vacations.

Sure, the experience would have been fun. But going into debt each summer would have added stress to our family and their relationship all year long. Even more, I learned from those experiences that bonding moments don’t require a lot of money and I learned the joys of keeping my tastes simple. These are lessons that served me well as a young parent and brought more joy and stability into my family life than a fancy, expensive trip ever could.

I know the temptation to keep up with the Joneses’ and their summer trip itinerary is great, but it is not necessary. In fact, there is a wiser route to take.

What Makes a Trip Great

Your greatest memories don’t need to cost a lot of money. In fact, the most meaningful elements of a summer trip, don’t have to cost anything. This is what makes any summer trip memorable for kids:

Time with Family: The most precious gift we can give our loved ones is our time. Focus on being present and engaged, creating moments of connection.

Something Out of the Ordinary: It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A day trip to a nearby park, a hike, or even camping in the backyard can create lasting memories.

Kids Receiving Our Full Attention: Put away the distractions and give your kids your undivided attention. Engage in activities they love and create shared experiences.

Simple Joys: Sometimes the simplest activities, like playing board games, staying up late, having a picnic, or sneaking an extra soda late at night, can be the most memorable.

New Experiences: Try something new together as a family. It could be as simple as visiting a local museum, trying a new park, or a day-trip to a place you’ve never been.

These are the elements that will create the experience you want for your family. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to accomplish that. And I’m guessing someone needs to hear that and be reminded of that today.

***

To further drive home this point and encourage all the moms and dads out there without the financial means to travel the world the summer: Can we fill this comment section with encouraging stories?

If you grew up taking simple summer vacations that you now look back upon as amazingly sweet, memorable, and meaningful, can you add that story below as a comment? Where did you go? What did you do? And how precious to you now are those memories of your simple vacations growing up?

The post You Don’t Need to Spend A Lot of Money on Vacation to Make Great Memories appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

How to Know When You Are “Spaving” (and Practical Ways to Stop)

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” –Benjamin Franklin

Have you ever found yourself spending more than you intended just to save a little money? Probably. It happens to all us—and frequently.

In fact, they’ve even created a name for it. It’s called spaving. The word is a blend of the words “spending” and “saving,” and refers to any time we are asked to “spend more” to “save more.”

On one hand, I suppose it’s nice to know you are not alone when you do it. On the other, it is so common and normal nowadays, it can be difficult to recognize when we are giving in to it.

While the idea is often a punchline in jokes, “If my spouse doesn’t stop saving us money while shopping, I’m going to need a second job,” there’s no doubt the practice contributes to both clutter in our homes and larger-than-expected credit card statements every month. So it’s not something to laugh at.

How to Recognize When You Are Falling into the Spaving Trap

Spaving happens when we justify buying more than we intended to because of the promise of saving money in the long run. For example, we might buy more items to qualify for free shipping, or purchase a second item at a deep discount, thinking we’re making a smart financial decision.

Retailers are skilled at crafting deals that encourage this behavior, often leading us to spend more than we planned. Large corporations are incredibly gifted and educated and focus group tested on the best ways to offer savings for increased spending that results in their increased profit.

But large corporations are not the only ones—even the most rookie online entrepreneur will be schooled in the subtle art of trying to get their community to buy just a little nicer package for a seemingly better price. I see it all the time. Almost every online platform from email delivery systems and sales pages to online stores and credit card processors provide simple in-house features for entrepreneurs to make more by “upselling” products to their customers.

At every turn, the goal is to part you with your money. No doubt, you’ve seen the option to “spave” countless places. And now you have a name for it.

The word has been used as far back as 2004, but has grown in popularity in recent years because of inflation. This makes sense when you realize one of the most dangerous aspects of spaving is that it plays on our emotions and decision-making the most during economic uncertainty. The more worried we are about prices or our household budget, the more likely we are to look for saving opportunities… and the more likely we become to spend more just so that we can save more.

The keys to avoiding the temptation is to recognize it when it happens so it doesn’t cloud our judgment and also to develop strategies to counteract the urge.

Here are some ways to help us identify when we are falling into the spaving trap:

We’re asked to buy more to save:

This is, of course, the textbook definition of the word. But every time you notice an offer or benefit if you spend just a little bit more, you can clearly recognize the tactic that is being deployed.

This tactic takes various forms. One of the most common spaving tactics these days is the free shipping threshold. For instance, you need a book that costs $12, but the website offers free shipping for orders over $25. Instead of paying $5 for shipping, you add another book you didn’t plan to buy, spending $20 instead of $17.

We’re promised extra benefits for more purchases:

Retailers often lure us with additional benefits for buying more. Consider the buy one get one 50% off deals. We might end up purchasing more than we initially intended, thinking we are getting a bargain. Additionally, sometimes we get faster shipping if we spend more or a store credit to be used next time if we purchase a minimum amount—these are all examples of extra benefits for more purchasing.

We spend more than anticipated because of deals:

Grocery stores frequently use promotions like “buy 5 to get the sale price.” You’ve noticed them, no doubt. We go to the grocery store only needing two items but end up buying five just to take advantage of the discount, spending more than we planned.

Or we wanted to eat a breakfast sandwich from our favorite drive-up establishment, but end up buying two because the second was offered for just $1 in the app.

There are no savings without spending:

Whenever we see an offer that can only be realized by spending our money, we can call it what it is: spaving. Offers like “get $5 off if you spend $50, or $10 off when you spend $100” are designed for one reason: to get us to spend more than we needed to.

We make an impulse purchase triggered by a promotion:

Every time we walk out of a store with additional items that we didn’t enter the store (or open the website) to purchase, it would be wise for us to reflect on the purchase—especially those made without careful consideration—to see if the invitation to save money somehow spurred those purchases.

We react to deals out of financial insecurity and fear:

According to Charles Chaffin, co-founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, we become more hyperreactive to deals and sales when we sense financial insecurity. On paper, this makes sense. The more fear we feel about personal finances, the more we desire to save. But couple that fear with retail tactics that result in us spending more than we needed to and you have a recipe for trouble.

Practical Ways to Stop Spaving

So how can we break free from the impulse and practice of spaving? To break free from the trap, here are some practical strategies:

1. Evaluate Your Past History With Shopping

It may not be enjoyable, but before any other step, it would be smart to get open and honest with yourself about your past shopping habits. If you look around your home and realize you tend to buy more than you need, it would be helpful to know that. It would also be a good indicator that you are prone to fall into this trap.

2. Ask Yourself, “Do You Really Need More?”

Before adding extra items to your cart to qualify for a discount, ask if you genuinely need those additional items. Often, the answer is no. In fact, almost every time the answer is no. Remember, if you didn’t need an item before you saw the sale price, you don’t need it after.

3. Do the Math

Loss aversion is our tendency to focus more on what we are losing than what we are gaining. Retailers understand this tendency and utilize it to their advantage by getting us to focus on the savings we’ll be missing out on if we don’t spend a little bit more.

But you can flip around this tendency by focusing your math and attention on the spending rather than the saving. “I’ll have to give up $13 more dollars just to save $5? That doesn’t make sense.”

4. Remove the Savings Aspect from the Offer and See How it Feels

If you were shopping and a sales associate approached you and randomly asked you to buy more stuff, would you? Probably not.

Knowing that, you can mentally remove the savings aspect from the “ask” and see how it makes you feel about their request. “Would you like to find something else in the store to get this purchase up over $100?” is almost insulting to you as a customer. Internally, treat “If you spend $100 today, you’ll get $10 off” as equally insulting.

5. Consider the Impact on Your Home

Every example of reckless spaving requires us to purchase something we didn’t intend to purchase. To help overcome the temptation, reflect on whether you want more items cluttering your space. Minimalism teaches us that fewer possessions lead to greater freedom and peace. Your decision to buy more just to save more costs you more than finances—it also costs you a little bit of peace and space at home.

6. Unsubscribe from Retail Newsletters

Reduce temptation by unsubscribing from retail newsletters and promotional emails. This helps minimize the constant barrage of deals and sales.

7. For Bulk Purchases, Ask Three Questions

One often utilized example of spaving is bulk purchasing. Despite the name of this blog, I’ve never been entirely against the idea of bulk purchases. Sometimes, they make perfect sense and our family of four still purchases a few things in bulk.

To be intentional in your bulk purchasing, ask three questions: 1. How much money will this actually save me? 2. How long will it take my family to consume this bulk purchase? 3. How much space do I have to store bulk items?

8. Say the Word “Spaving” Whenever You See It

The next time you are shopping in-store or online and see an example of spaving tempting you to make a purchase, call it what it is. “This is an example of the store using spaving to entice me. I only save if I spend more.” You may still decide to buy more, but just articulating aloud what is happening will help you overcome the temptation more times than if you don’t.

9. Ask your Spouse or Partner

So often we skip this step precisely because we know what that impartial voice is going to tell us. But I think that’s too bad because a relationship should be a partnership—each person working to become the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be. And often times input can be helpful. So, the next time you are tempted to spend a little bit more just to save a little bit more, ask your partner and see what he/she thinks about the idea.

Will these nine tips stop you from ever falling into the trap of unintentionally spending more than you intended while shopping? Probably not. But they are definitely worth considering every time we see a store trying to convince us to spend more just to save more. Because our shopping habits should never become a punch line.

The post How to Know When You Are “Spaving” (and Practical Ways to Stop) appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Embrace the freedom that comes from less.

Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer possessions. It’s also about an intentional promotion of our highest values by removing anything that distracts us from them. It’s about finding the freedom to live the life you desire.

As we move toward an intentional and minimalist lifestyle, it’s helpful to find inspiration and motivation.

So, make yourself comfortable with a cup of coffee or lemonade this weekend, and take some time to read and reflect on these personally curated articles. I picked each of them to inspire simplicity and intentionality in your life.

7 Reasons You’ll Love Living In A Smaller Home | Forbes by Joshua Becker. You’ll probably be happier living in a smaller home than a larger one. This is a very different message than we get from the culture around us.

Life Changing Decluttering Tips For A Minimalist Home | No Sidebar. Decluttering is about more than cleaning up a mess—it’s about rethinking entirely the possessions in your home.

Decluttering Adds Sparkle and Shine, and Calms the Brain | B.C. Catholic by Lisa Yanko. With lots of “stuff,” we can feel weighed down with all the decisions of what to do with it. It was my goal to remove what I no longer used or needed so I could be happier and healthier.

12 Years of Minimalism: What it Looks Like for Our Family Now | Tico and Tina. The journey might start with decluttering, but it evolves into a deeper understanding of your values and priorities.

Too Many? | Vinted. What if our overconsumption was on display? *This is an incredibly powerful advertisement that creatively displays the absurdity of how much we own.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

10 Compelling Reasons to Reduce the Clutter In Your Life | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Do you consider yourself a cluttered person? Or maybe you just need some motivation to get started. If so, here are my 10 best reasons to challenge your thinking – the 10 best reasons I rely on to keep myself motivated to minimize.

Imagine It’s Your Last Year: What Would You Do Differently? | YouTube by Joshua Becker. What if we approached life each day fully committed to the reality that time is short? That nothing lasts forever? And tomorrow is promised to no one?

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

If You Want to Develop Self-Worth, Do Things That Give You Self-Worth

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” —Arthur Ashe

Self-esteem is a valuable pursuit. It impacts our decisions, our relationships, and our well-being in both the short and long-term.

When our self-esteem is healthy, it affects everything about us. Equally so, when our self-esteem is unhealthy, it affects everything about us.

It is vitally important. And yet, it is estimated that roughly 85% of people worldwide (adults and adolescents) have low self-esteem.

So how do we overcome this pandemic? Years ago, although I cannot remember the exact source, I heard a life-changing piece of advice, “If you want to develop your self-worth, do things that give you self-worth. You can’t think yourself into feeling better about yourself, but you can intentionally take actions that develop it inside of you.”

I have found this principle to be true in relation to self-esteem, but also in others areas of life as well.

We fall into a trap when we think we need to feel good about ourselves before we can start doing something worthwhile. Because actually, the opposite is true. Action results in better thinking—not the other way around.

You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect before taking a step in the direction of the change you want to see in your life. Take that step—and watch your circumstances change around you.

This principle was powerfully illustrated to me during a trip back in 2014, when my family was researching orphan care around the world in preparation for launching The Hope Effect.

Alongside a group of friends dedicated to the mission, we visited an orphanage in Baja California. While receiving a tour of the grounds, I noticed a small campground on a hill nearby which I asked about.

The Director explained that groups from California often stayed there when they came to volunteer.

Curious, I asked what kind of things they did at the orphanage when they visited.

He replied, “No, they don’t come to work here. They work in the city—teaching English, building homes, or helping one of the local churches. In fact,” he continued, “not only do they not volunteer here, we send our orphaned children with them into the city to volunteer and help with the families living in poverty.”

The Director opened my eyes to a new way to see the world when he continued, “Because,” he said, “the only way to overcome the victim mindset in your life is to begin serving others. Once you do, you realize how much you have to give.”

That profound insight has stuck with me ever since. It further underscores the truth about our self-esteem: Our actions shape how we think about ourselves.

We overcome the victim mindset by actively serving and seeing how much we have to give. And we best develop self-esteem in our own life by engaging in activities that bring it about.

If you are among the 85% of us struggling with self-esteem, here are some ways to change your self-perception:

1. Volunteer and Serve Others

Volunteering is one of the most impactful ways to build self-worth. When we serve others, we shift our focus from our own problems to others in the community. But more than that, we realize how we can help to improve the lives of others and bring about a positive change in the world for someone else.

2. Commit to Mastering a Craft

Whether it’s painting, writing, cooking, or any other skill, committing to mastering a craft can significantly boost our self-esteem. The process of learning and improving builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

Of course, you don’t have to become the best at something for this to help, it’s about dedicating ourselves to improvement and enjoying the journey of growth.

3. Create Positive Habits

Developing positive habits, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, reading, or journaling will have a profound impact on our self-worth. These habits improve our physical and mental well-being, provide structure to our lives, and offer a sense of achievement. You can choose whichever positive habits you want to grow in, but I find that when I’m doing these three well, life gets better.

4. Practice a Discipline of Gratitude

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. By regularly acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, we foster a positive mindset and enhance our self-worth.

Gratitude as a response to circumstances isn’t particularly helpful—because when we need it most, it’s the hardest to find. But developing the discipline of gratitude (practicing it every day regardless of my circumstances), that’s life-changing.

5. Take Small Steps Toward Your Goals

“It’s easier to steer a moving ship,” as the old saying goes. If we wait until we feel fully confident and prepared to start pursuing our goals, we may never begin.

Instead, take small, actionable steps today. Each step, no matter how small, can move us closer to our desired outcome and builds momentum. Whenever we do this, our confidence and self-worth will naturally grow. We don’t feel better about ourselves just at the end of the process, we grow with every single step.

6. Engage in Meaningful Activities

Choose activities that align with your values and passions. Whether it’s supporting a cause you care about, attending a faith service, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby, engaging in meaningful activities brings fulfillment and reinforces our sense of purpose. These experiences validate our worth and contribute to a more positive self-image.

Start Small, Start Today

Your first step in the right direction doesn’t need to be a big one. But it does need to happen.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I know someone does:

Identify one small action you can take today to intentionally move toward greater self-esteem.

Maybe it’s volunteering for an hour, anonymously sending a struggling single-parent a restaurant gift card, picking up an old hobby, deciding to run a 5k, or simply sending a text expressing gratitude to someone in your life.

If you want to be happy, do things that bring lasting happiness. If you want to be grateful, practice gratitude regularly. If you want to feel more confident, step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. If you want to be a leader, begin to lead.

And if you want to increase your self-esteem, do things that give you self-esteem. The entire world will benefit from it and we’re all cheering for you.

The post If You Want to Develop Self-Worth, Do Things That Give You Self-Worth appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

How to Find Focus in a World Full of Distractions

“Focus is often a matter of deciding what things you’re not going to do.” —John Carmack

Distractions are everywhere. Our world is a constant feed of information and entertainment. We carry our phones with us everywhere we go, connect to the internet from just about anywhere, and are bombarded by advertisements on nearly every flat surface we see. And that doesn’t even mention the 24-hour news cycle or ever-populated streaming services constantly vying for our attention.

We are besieged with distraction.

And every bit of information that enters our mind has one goal: to gain control of our attention and resources.

With so much information battling for space in our minds, it’s no wonder our attention spans have been steadily shrinking. According to some studies, our attention span is now less than a goldfish.

The information age is literally rewiring our brains.

These distractions are something we can all relate to and recognize as a problem in our world.

But perhaps even more destructive to us in the long run are the larger distractions that drive us away from accomplishing our most significant goals. The trivial-information-overload distractions may pull our attention from the work right in front of us, but the larger distractions in life keep us from realizing the life our souls call us to live, focused on greater goals of significance and meaning.

For example, the distraction of a high-paying and powerful career or business opportunity can distract us from using our talents to benefit our immediate community. The distraction of maintaining a large and perfect home may pull us from caring for the people living in it. The urge to check up on our social media feeds steals more of our time than the friends right in front of us. And the opportunity to spend money on newer and trendier possessions often keeps us from using it to accomplish a greater good in this world. In each case, these lifestyle distractions keep us from accomplishing a greater significance with our lives.

These are the distractions that cause irreversible harm in our lives. Unfortunately, too often, they go unnoticed. It’s easy to notice that I stayed up too late scrolling Tik-Tok videos, it’s much more difficult to notice when I’ve sacrificed my child’s well-being for that new promotion at work.

Often, our lives go unevaluated. As a result, we are lured away from true significance in our lives. And our greatest goals go unmet.

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” as Socrates so famously pointed out.

How then, do we recognize these large—yet subtle—distractions in our lives? How do we regularly assess the path of our lives to ensure that we are seeking and investing in the most significant?

It may not be as hard as we imagine. It only requires a little intentionality and effort. And often, realizing the need is the first step.

Consider committing time and effort to these helpful keys to identify the presence of significant distractions in our lives:

1. Be mindful of the culture we’re swimming in.

All around us, nearly every moment of the day, messages are battling for space in our minds. They promote products, messages, and worldviews. Often, the urgent voices will be far louder than the significant ones.

Identify both the messages and their sources. Make intentional decisions because of it. And remember that just because others have decided to define success in terms of financial goals, popularity, or influence, you don’t have to.

2. Pause and reflect.

Next time you desire to make a purchase, check social media, work late, or engage in a habit that controls you, pause. Consider the urge and reflect upon it. Is it really the most effective use of your time or money? Or is there something more significant you can accomplish with your limited resources?

3. Set Clear Daily Goals

Start each day by setting clear, achievable goals. Write down the top three tasks you want to accomplish and focus on them throughout the day. Having a clear plan helps you stay on track and reduces the likelihood of getting sidetracked by less important tasks.

Reflect on your progress at the end of the day to adjust your approach and stay motivated.

4. Review and record.

Journal your time and spending over the course of one week. Each evening, spend 5-10 minutes to make some rough notes on your day.

How much time did you spend working? How much energy did you put towards your family, your friends, or your faith? Where did you spend your financial resources this week? What did you intentionally focus on getting better at today?

The hard evidence of your life’s focus will become easy to diagnose and difficult to argue with when you see it on paper.

5. Get some outside perspective.

Ask a trusted friend, a spouse, or a family member to speak into your life. Consider asking this simple question, “Hey, I’ve been doing some life evaluation lately. Have you noticed any unhealthy habits in my life?” When they answer, don’t get defensive. Instead, search deeply for the truth in their response.

6. Find time alone.

Begin to practice moments of solitude away from the distractions of this world. This can be hard at first, but the more you implement the practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with it. And the more comfortable you become with it, the more you’ll allow the silence to reveal your true heart, desires, and intentions.

7. Seek some inspiration.

Surround yourself with people who are living out your goals. Surround yourself with people who are accomplishing meaningful and significant things with their lives. You’ll find numerous people online who can encourage you from a distance, but they’ll never replace the interpersonal interaction with a friend right in front of you. Seek them out.

8. Establish Digital Boundaries

One of the most significant sources of distraction is our digital devices. Set specific times during the day when you disconnect from your phone, computer, and other digital distractions. Use these moments to engage in activities that foster personal growth and connection with others.

9. Live with fewer possessions.

Often, the things we own become far more of a distraction to our lives than we realize. We spend time and money researching them, purchasing them, organizing them, cleaning them, fixing them, discarding them, and replacing them. Our possessions often add more burden to our life than benefit. And you’ll never fully realize the benefits of living with less until you actually choose to pursue it.

There is little doubt our world is filled with distractions—it always has been. And there is little doubt that those who achieve the greatest significance in life learn to manage them effectively.

It is certainly worth the investment to recognize them in our lives and make the necessary life adjustments… after all, we only get one shot at it.

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