How to live a simple and peaceful life

In our daily lives, we often rush through tasks, trying to get them done, trying to finish as much as we can each day, speeding along to our next destination, and then leaving so that we can go to our next destination. At the end of the day, we realise what madness this all is. We often become exhausted and stressed out from the grind and the chaos and the business of the day.

We don't have time for what's important to us, for what we really want to be doing, for spending time with loved ones, for doing things we are passionate about. It doesn't have to be that way. It is possible to live a simpler life, one where you enjoy each activity, where you are present in everything (or most things) you do, where you are content rather than rushing to finish things. If this appeals to you, here are some suggestions for living a simple, peaceful, content life.

1. Decide what is important.

Take a step back and think about what's important to you. What do you really want to be doing, who do you want to spend your time with, what do you want to accomplish with your work? Make a short list of 4-5 things for your life, the people you want to spend time with, and the things you would like to accomplish at work.

2. Examine your commitments.

A big part of the problem is that our lives are way too full. We can't possibly do everything we have committed to doing, and we certainly can't enjoy it if we are trying to do everything. Accept that you can't do everything, know that you want to do what's important to you, and try to eliminate the commitments that aren't as important.

3. Do less each day.

Don't feel your day up with things to do. You will end up rushing to do them all. If you normally try (and fail) to do 7-10 things, do three important ones instead. This will give you time to do what you need to do, and not rush.

4. Leave space between tasks or appointments.

Another mistake is trying to schedule things back-to-back. This leaves no cushion in case things take longer than you planned, and it also gives you a feeling of being rushed and stressed throughout the day. Instead, leave a gap between your appointments or tasks, allowing you to focus more on each one, and have a transition time between them.

5. Eliminate as much as possible from your to-do-list.

You can't do everything on your to-do-list. Even if you could, more things will come up. As much as you can, simplify your to-do-list down to the essentials. This allows you to rush less and focus more on what's important.

6. Slow down and enjoy every task.

Whatever you are doing, whether it's a work task, eating, brushing your teeth, cooking dinner, driving to work: slow down. Enjoy whatever you are doing by paying attention, instead of thinking about other things. Be in the moment.

* Eat slowly. This is just a more specific application of taking things more slowly but it's something we do every day, so it deserves special attention.

* Drive more slowly. Another application of the same principle, driving is something we do that is often mindless and rushed. Instead, slow down and enjoy the journey.

7. Single-task.

This is an important point. Do one thing at a time, and do it well. This will help you find the stressors in your life, and find ways to eliminate them.

8. Do nothing.

Create time for solitude. In addition to slowing down and enjoying the tasks we do, and doing less of them, it is also important to just have some time to yourself. Sometimes, it is good to forget about doing things, and do nothing.

9. Practice being present.

You can practice being in the moment at any time during the day. The key methods of being present including paying attention instead of daydreaming, observing what is going on around you, breathing attentively and meditating.

10. Live in the moment.

Instead of delayed gratification, try enjoying life right now.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 3 September 2012 (article), Google (images).