The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential

by Leo Babauta

Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.

Principle 1: By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations. Principle 2: By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always choose the essential to maximize your time and energy.

Limitless is weak. Learn to focus yourself with limits, and you’ll increase your strength.

Simplifying isn’t meant to leave your life empty—it’s meant to leave space in your life for what you really want to do. Know what those things are before you start simplifying.

PRINCIPLE 4 of the Power of Less is that your focus is your most important tool. Focus on less to become more effective.

Focus on a goal. Focus is the most important factor in determining whether you’ll achieve a goal or stick to creating a new habit. Not self-discipline, not rewards, not sheer willpower, not even motivation (though this is also an important ingredient). If you can maintain your focus on a goal or habit, you will more often than not achieve that goal or create that habit.

Focus on now. Focusing on the present can do a lot for you. It helps reduce stress, it helps you enjoy life to the fullest, and it can increase your effectiveness. Focusing on now, rather than the past or the future, isn’t easy, and takes a lot of practice.

When you are working on a task in a time block, turn off all other distractions. Shut off e-mail and the entire Internet if possible. Shut off your cell phone. Try not to answer your phone, if possible. Focus on that one task, and try to get it done without worrying about other stuff.

Take deep breaths, stretch, and take breaks now and then. Enjoy life. Go outside, and appreciate nature. Keep yourself sane.

When you eat, just eat.

Keep practicing. When you get frustrated, just take a deep breath. When you ask yourself, “What should I do now, Self?”, the answer is “Keep practicing.”

Principle 5: Create new habits to make long-lasting improvements. Instead, the only way you’ll form long-lasting habits is by applying the Power of Less: Focus on one habit at a time, one month at a time, so that you’ll be able to focus all your energy on creating that one habit.

MOST IMPORTANT TASKS (MITS)

With that one change, you could free up the time you need to focus on the important work and to achieve the things you want to achieve. With that simple change, you could free up time to pursue things you’re passionate about, to exercise, to read, to find quiet time, or to spend time with loved ones. I’m not going to lie to you: Reducing your commitments isn’t easy. It takes determination, it takes a willingness to say “no,” and it can take time. But it will pay off in so many ways, for the rest of your life.

But you do have a good reason to say “no”—a great reason, in fact: Your time is limited and precious.

Don’t be sorry. Even if the person is insistent that you’re needed for this project, don’t worry—they’ll find another person to fill the need. Nothing in this world has failed because one person said “no” to a request—if the need was great enough, another person filled it. So while there’s a temptation to feel guilty that you’re ruining something good for someone you care about, don’t. That person will still get it done without you.

Now, slow down and enjoy every task. This is the most important tip in this chapter. Read it twice. Whatever you’re doing, whether it’s a work task or taking a shower or brushing your teeth or cooking dinner or driving to work, slow down. Try to enjoy whatever you’re doing. Try to pay attention, instead of thinking about other things. Be in the moment.