Freedom From Procrastination

Here is a universal truth: No success is every achieved without action. This is a statement that needs to be implanted firmly in your mind. Too many seem to believe that success is a matter of luck. However, few realize the action that is required to get to the point where 'luck' occurs. There is an old saying that holds true: the harder I work, the luckier I get.

The Archenemy

Do you know what the archenemy of success is? The title of this blog post ought to give it away. Procrastination will never lead to success. In fact, this single trait does more to destroy one's chance of advancement than any other quality. Procrastination is cunning and powerful. Most who are afflicted with this disease are rarely aware that it exists.

Success is a result of action. Usually, it is continuous action extended over a long period of time. Procrastination is the archenemy of this because it breeds the exact opposite. The result of procrastination is inactivity. Naturally, as is seen, procrastination, by its very definition cannot create success.

3 Ways To Overcome Procrastination

1. Make a list:

Many procrastinate because they do not know what to do next. A list is a helpful way to create a 'blueprint' for the action taken. Unlike some of the 'experts' who write on this subject, I find that the best list is the simplest. Instead of trying to determine the most 'important' activities (also called 'large stones'), just write down 5 things that you need to do. Then start doing them.

To show how simple the list can be, here is what I wrote that I need to get done this evening:

-walk, workout, stretch, write blog post, and shave head

The first few items were completed without waste. My tendency to procrastinate was removed since I know what the next action is.

2. Give yourself a deadline

Many believe that the operate better under pressure. While I am not here to debate that point, I will state there is plenty of research to the contrary. Nevertheless, if you are one who is convinced you excel only when getting close to 'crunch time', then I suggest you set a deadline for whatever you are faced with. For example, if you use the aforementioned list, give yourself until 8:00 PM to complete it. Instead of allowing circumstances to dictate what you do, create the 'pressure' yourself.

3. Tell someone else

Accountability is something that we all need. Sadly, most of us fail at holding ourselves accountable. My own personal experience is that we will let ourselves off the hook by buying into the excuses we create. These excuses are the rationalizations that we use to uphold our inactivity.

Involving another person helps us to create that accountability. Thus, if you are faced with something that requires action, tell someone what needs doing and when you will complete it by. Insist that person check up on you to make sure you did what was intended (this might require some explaining but most serious people will applaud your efforts). I found this type of accountability will remove procrastination in most instances. The reason is simple: the fear of losing 'face' is a more powerful than the internal mechanism that is making us procrastinate.

Freedom

One cannot be free unless he has control over himself. Whenever we are allowing our internal fears to control us, we are a slave. My entire existence is dedicated to the elimination of the chains that bind me. While it is easy to mention the external ones like a job working for someone else, the truth is that my own mind is my greatest jailer. Anything that I can do to overcome the obstacles it puts in my way helps to free me from bondage.

Procrastination steals time and energy away. I found that most actions take less than 30 minutes (in fact most less then 10 minutes). Yet, a person will put that activity off for days, dwelling upon it the entire time. The simple fact is that it is often easier to take action immediately and move on. This affords one the opportunity to utilize time as he or she sees fit.

Long term success is the result of a series of steps in a particular direction. Like DeNiro said," it took me 10 years to become an overnight sensation". Freedom is something that each of us needs to work for on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we are our own worst enemy in this pursuit. Of course, the advantage to that is we can do something about it. Overcome your personal limitation in an effort to achieve this end.

Start by kicking procrastination to the curb. Take a couple activities you are putting off, write them down, and go do them. Use one (or more) of the techniques above and watch your results increase immediately. This will help you break free from the bondage of procrastination.

True Goals

This is the time of year when people actually give goal setting a chance. However, as we know from the experiences of those around or, perhaps, ourselves, most do it via the New Year's Resolution route. Unlike true goals, this is where someone has a wish for something to happen in the New Year coupled with a mediocre commitment to achieve it. This is where most fail before they ever get started. Instead of committing to the ends fully, they mentally give a half-hearted effort.

True Goals

Goal setting experts will tell you that a goal must be a few things to be effective. To start, it must be measurable (more is not quantifiable). It also needs to be a stretch outside your present level of comfort. It must be in the positive and it must have an end day.

For example losing more weight is not a goal since dropping 1 pound over 5 years would equate to success. If this is your intention from the start, I believe your standards are way too low. Goals should be something that motivates you to excel.

At the same time, we all know the saying that 'you do not see a UHaul behind a hearse'. Another way people phrase this is that 'you can't take it with you'. In other words we leave this world with what we entered it with: NOTHING. Accumulating all the toys, trinkets, and assets in the world will not change anything when we are dead. Everything anyone ever amassed was left behind.

Therefore, perhaps it is time to set some True Goals. Instead of concentrating on the amount of money you can earn, or the number of cars to own, maybe it is time to focus on experiences. It is a novel concept to many but this is in keeping with the minimalist thinking. Anyone who looked at this particular path knows that experiences are held dearer than things. Therefore, it is best to create some goals of this nature as opposed to the typical 'thing-based' goals.

The Ultimate List

John Goddard is a world famous adventures. Years ago he set out a list of 127 goals that are a bit different from the average list people put together. Follow the link to his site and take a look at what he put down. Notice how owning a ferrari, waterski, or condo in the mountains is nowhere on the list. In fact, there is nothing material on the list; it is all experiences.

To me, this is the ultimate goal list. I am reworking my list to model this somewhat. Now that I have altered my thinking, I realize what I focused upon all those years was not very fulfilling. My aim now is to be free to experience all that I can in life. Having a 'blueprint' is a terrific way to get started. How can one know where he or she is going if there is no plan of action? A goal list is a plan of action that one can follow.

Thus, in your time of reflection, start to think about what you can experience in the New Year as opposed to what you can get. Too often people write that they want to make X number of dollars. That is terrific if one knows the reasoning for that money. If it is just to sit in a bank and make one feel good about oneself, then it isn't very worthy. However, if this goal is to provide the resources to move one closer to a lifestyle of freedom by providing the basis of investment income, then that is something that will motivate someone.

Remember, in the end we all leave with nothing. Therefore, create a list of true goals that are rich in experiences. This is what we all should concentrate on in 2011.

Minimalist By Choice

I recently encountered a situation which really made me realize what is going on in my life. There are many who are minimalist not because they choose to but, rather, because that is the lot in life that was chosen for them. Of course, we all know there are those who should be minimalists based upon their income yet still want to live like royalty.

Over the last few days, I had a 'friend' on mine depart from my life. He ran his course down here and chose to move to his family up north. The reason why I bring this up is because he got on a plane with only 1 suitcase and a carry on bag. That is everything he has to show for his entire 50 years on this planet. It all fit in one bag.

Of course, you will say to me 'isn't that the goal'. How often do we read about people who are reducing their things down to a number below 100? A minimalist wants the freedom to be able to leave at any moment. Heck, one of my major premises is that freedom is the most important value in life and I seek it in all that I do.

Making A Conscious Decision

The difference between the people I just mentioned and my 'friend' is that one made a conscious choice while the other found himself in that position. There is an ocean between one who chooses to live a particular way and one who is a victim of circumstance. I will tell you that the individual I am referring to has no idea the concept of minimalism exists in any manner. His lack of choice makes him yearn from more.

A true minimalist understand why he or she is 'downsizing'. This is something that also separates one from the masses. Most operate for lack. A minimalist lives abundance. The departure from the norm is that a person of this ilk doesn't necessarily consider abundance to be materials. Therefore, the conscious choice to rid oneself of the unimportant is a step forward. Most of society, my 'friend' included, feel that it is a reversal.

The BIG Reason

Every minimalist has a BIG reason why he or she chose to pursue this particular life. In other words, these people can answer the question 'why'. My 'friend' cannot. He will provide a host of reasons that were responsible for his plight in life. He is a victim of circumstances. No matter what happens, someone else is responsible. A minimalist is one who makes decisions that lead down a particular path. The 'why' is the motivator which reveals a different set of priorities.

As I mentioned, my BIG reason is freedom. Stuff costs money. The more things I have, the larger the expenses to keep it going. For example, while my television is paid for, it requires a hefty monthly cable bill to keep running. Of course, there is electricity that also is needed to operate this device. And to complete the trifecta, this device does nothing more than waste time. I found there are other ways to utilize my time that yield greater dividends.

Expenses limit freedom. The same is true for having to 'take care' of all my stuff. It needs to be polished, cleaned, ironed, filed, sorted, etc... By eliminating the excess I found that I no longer needed to take care of the items. Again, it is another path to freedom. Financial is just one aspect of it; time is another. When I gain back time to do more productive activities, I break the chains of the 'have tos'.

Therefore, the big question is 'why'. This is where the conscious choice comes in. Behind every decision to pursue this avenue is a BIG reason why someone is doing it. My 'friend' had no reason. He allowed circumstances to determine his path. He was lacking while a conscious minimalist is coming from a place of abundance. Each item I remove from my life, or better yet, resist the temptation to purchase, the more money I have for other means and the less I need to 'take care of'. This is why I chose the minimalist path....because it is laying the foundation to me living a totally free life.

Important Vs. Unimportant

The minimalist lifestyle comes down to this simple premise. While many refer to needs vs. wants, I think it is even a more personal experience. Sure, we as human beings have certain needs. If it was a matter of simply identifying what is needed, I could eliminate almost everything in the house. Certainly I don't need a coffee mug since I really do not need coffee to live. In fact, if I were so inclined, I only need the basics in nutrition to remain alive and water. Everything else in my house is a luxury.

Naturally, I am not opting to follow this course of action. Therefore, when I think about the transformation over the last few weeks, I am realizing that getting rid of the unimportant is making time for the important. The shedding of Netflix is a prime example. At one time in my life I thought I needed cable. I shuddered each time I imagined going without television. Since the beginning of the year, I am cable-free. Netflix was a great assistant in making this a reality. Now, I decided I can forgo this service also.

In the last week, I found that the old habit of turning on the idiot box was still with me. However, since it wasnt connected to a service, the television was not turned on. This left me with a great deal of time. And, that my friends, is the crux of the situation: what do I do with this new found time? The obvious answer is to focus upon the important.

This revelation is tied to something else that I noticed. Whenever I look at my life and the actions that are in it, I have a tough time determining what is important. As mentioned, I once thought some type of television service was important. It is not. Now, I am faced with the challenge of really establishing what is truly important in my life.

I have full confidence I will uncover the deeper levels of this exercise over the next week. Presently, I am undergoing a 'plan of action' exercise to establish my road map for the next 12 months. It is a truly beneficial experience for me and helping me to concentrate upon the important vs unimportant. My goal is to eliminate the waste in my life. Everything is subject to review. Getting to the core of what is going on is crucial to me.

Do you know what is truly important in your life? Most will say they do and, perhaps, that is true. However, do their actions reflect it. Many will say health is important to them as they are carrying around 25, 50, or 100 extra pounds. Here we see the actions not matching up with the values. Therefore, is it really high on the list of important factors.

Congruent living is another thing that I am seeking. As a seeker of freedom, I am faced with the prospect of matching my actions with this outcome. That is my present quest. Eliminating all that is truly unimportant to me is a component that sets me on the proper path. The unimportant is truly only a distraction. If I really don't value it, why have it? The answer is becoming obvious to me.

Traditions

It is amazing how quickly the mindset changes when one adopts the minimalist outlook. Here, it is not even a month since I started this journey and yet I see such a radical change in how I perceive things. While there are some hard choices coming down the chute, I realize that my mindset is what will carry me through.

Xmas time is approaching and I find myself thinking about what a waste of time a lot of this is. Now, dont get me wrong. I know there are people of faith who take this time of year very serious since it is central to their mindset. However, there are so many who do not fit into this category.

I noticed an interesting thing the other day. My mom sent me a check for Xmas since I never tell her what I want. Hell, anything she would buy me most likely would end up in the recycle pile. Cash is something that I can always use. However, there was an interesting situation that arose.

My mom sent me $150. That was very nice of her and I do appreciate it. In return, I purchased her a nice wooden statue of a cat. She likes them and I think it will look nice at her house. Also, since my daughter is driving, I am giving her money for Xmas to help her offset some bills. When I totaled all of it up, it was a wash. What I took in is what I gave out.

Now, I know the holidays are not a time to profit. My point is why go through all the complication of the process. Why didnt my mom just send my daughter the money, buy herself the cat, and avoid the middle man (me) altogether? Yeah, I know, this isnt the spirit of Xmas.

But this got me thinking at a deeper level. How much of our lives is dictated by tradition? Why do we do things every year without even considering how they were done? Because we, as a rule, are a lazy population. Questioning is something that children do but adults are broken of that habit. The indoctrination into society includes buying into the traditions that are established for us. So,we blindly follow without thought of how insane our behavior is.

Thus, I understand the foolishness of this Xmas tradition. Giving gifts is wonderful in many instances. Yet, in my case, I was simply following blind tradition. Now I am aware of it. Does that mean I am going to stop in the future? Not necessarily since I know the expectation is there on the part of others. Nevertheless, it is the awareness that is important. From here on any time I adhere to this tradition I do so with my eyes open. If I opt to follow it, that is on me.

Look at the traditions that you obey like a dog. I am sure there are many that you never questioned. Uncovering these helps to locate those areas where we give power over to others. Freedom cannot exist without this awareness.

Physical Freedom

Have you ever pondered how your physical shape limits your freedom? I have recently and it terrified me how enslaved I am. And, you need to consider the fact that I am in better shape physically than 90% of the people out there. Yet, I still understand how my lack of physical abundance is limiting.

Distance

How far could you walk if you had to? Actually, let me rephrase this: how far could you walk if you wanted to? For most people the answer is 'not very far'. The simple truth is the western world is out of shape. We have the largest population in terms of waistline in the history of mankind. We are seeing developed nations with obesity rates hovering around 50%. That means 1 in 2 people is at risk health wise. And, please bear in mind that someone who is obese isnt a person who needs to loose 20 or 30 pounds. We are talking about people who are carrying around an extra 100 pounds or so. This is a catastrophic situation that few are paying attention to.

Nevertheless, I am not here to solve the country's ills. I know that the majority of people live like brainless robots. They follow the crowd right into the jail. Whatever the public is promoting, that is what these fools are gobbling up. In this instance, it is literal.

Get back to my initial question, we know how our physical state affects all areas of our lives. Those who ail physically are unable to achieve things in other areas of life. The emotions are directly linked to how we feel. Thus, whenever we feel bad, we are sabotaging our chance of success.

At the same time, there is a tremendous world out there to see. However, few have the ability to see it unless it comes across the internet. Few people have the stamina to hike all day to see an out of the way monument. Nor can they make the trek 5 miles into the woods to see nature in all it's glory. Whatever the reason, the fact that people cannot walk further than their mailbox is a sacrifice of one's freedom.

Resolving to be Free

My driving passion is to be free in my life. I examine all areas in an effort to create structures which will allow me to move towards this end. Therefore, when I realized how debilitating my physical limitations are, I realized how it needed changing immediately.

As many of you know, I love photography. It is a hobby that I picked up over the last year or so. I am also blessed that within an hour of my house there are a plethora of national and state parks which to walk. Along these trails one sees nature undisturbed. It is something that I enjoy.

However, the fact that I had approximately a three mile limit means that I am unable to pursue this endeavor as much as I would like. This places a limitation on me. Of course, in my mind, that is self imposed slavery. The fact that I cannot walk 10 miles uninterrupted is nobody's fault but my own. My laziness constructed this prison in my life. The only way out is to remove it through serious exercise. That is what I committed to do.

90 Day Commitment

Over the next three months, I committed to walking every single day no matter what. A radical shift in my activity is required to break me out of this quagmire. That is what I decided to do. I started it before the new year, almost in tandem with the start of Winter. So, basically, by Spring, I plan to have a radically different outlook.

As I was determining what I would do, I opted to forgo the traditional goal setting method and instead focus upon a plan of action. I want something that is under my realm. This stems from the personal value that my life is my responsibility. Dedicating efforts upon those things which are out of my reach is asinine. Ergo, I am opting for action and letting the results fall where they may.

My plan is simple...walk everyday for the next 90 days starting at a distance of 2.5 miles and working my way up towards the 5 mile mark. I will accomplish this by increasing the pace I do it in while lengthening it incrementally. At the same time, I also committed to snacking on celery, broccoli, and carrots as opposed to other nutrition free snacks. Finally, I am going to stretch each day to increase my flexibility since that is another way that one can be physically limited.

I detest not being free in any area of my life and the fact that I am faced with this challenge is exciting to me. Any time I can break a chain that is holding me down, the better I feel. Freedom is something that we all have to fight for on a daily basis. Those who willing accept what society offers soon find themselves enslaved. The way out of this trap is to fight with complete vigor the second you realize something is holding you captive. For me, in this instance, it is my physical state. Now, I am doing something to alter that.

And, while we are at it, how is your physical state? Perhaps you are captive also.

Because I Own It

Yesterday, in the post titled Saving For A Rainy Day, I listed a reason why pack rats hold onto things. The mindset that 'I might need this' means people hold on a large quantity of stuff that they end up rarely using. I pointed out in the post that often people can replace those items at minimal cost if the need should arise.

Next on the list of excuses is the 'because I own it' idea. This is another reasoning mechanism that leads people to hold onto things which should be discarded. There are millions of closets full of items which have not been touched in years. Yet individuals continue to hold onto them as if their life depends upon it. This is another concept that I shed as I embarked upon the journey into minimalism.

Here is the simple truth: just because an item is paid for, that does not mean that you should hold onto it. This statement is accurate whether we are referring to minimal or a large expense. Whatever the cost, that money is spent. While one might not make that purchase today with the new minimalist outlook, the fact that he or she is holding onto something that is paid for is equally inane.

"Because I own it" is not a valid reason for keeping something. The only reason is "Because I use it". Items that sit idle in a closet are only taking up space. The value was lost the second you left the store. Recouping it can only occur by selling it. Besides, if you aren't using it, why not give it to someone who will.

Being a minimalist means that we only hold onto items that are definitely used. Anything else is just taking up valuable space and energy. If it falls into the later category, then it must go. This is another step in the process of taking back one's freedom.

Communal Living

The mention of this term evokes images during the hippie movement in the United States in the late 60's and early 70s. People 'dropped out' by moving to remote locations called communes. In these communities, the idea of personal property vanished and was replaced with the concept of sharing. If you need something, just take it. Clothing, rooms, even lovers were all part of the community. Everyone pitched in for the benefit of the community.

Not So Far-Fetched

If you ask the average person about the communes and the idea of communal living, they would tell you that is was an idea practiced by immoral sex freaks and has no basis in a civilized society. While I will grant the notion of 20 or 30 couples living together is extreme, there is a certain validity to the mindset. Also, while I am not sure of the practicality of it with such a large group, I will show that it is something that is in keeping with the minimalist mindset.

Sharing resources is nothing new. Most people understand how there are times when it is best to combine 'forces' for maximum benefit. We see this both at the personal and business level. In fact, I argue that communal living is a common part of society.

Divorce-The Path To Poverty

The last 20 years witnessed a massive explosion in the divorce rate. At the same time, the poverty level has jumped to historic proportions. While I am not going to claim that the poverty rate is exclusively caused by the divorce rate, I will maintain that it has a part to do with it. If you understand the financial impact on people in this arena, you will see how it goes against the communal living idea.

If we remember, the basic tenet of communal living is sharing of resources. What happens within a marriage? All assets are shared between the individuals (called a family). Therefore, two people are responsible for only one household. There is one rent/mortgage payment, electric bill, and cable provider. In short, you have two incomes going towards one set of bills. All resources are shared between the individuals.

This is the common way the majority of western society lives. Of course, with divorce, we see the exact opposite happen. Now, instead of two incomes going towards one set of bills, the divorced couple assumes two sets of bills since they are in two different households. Suddenly, everything is doubled. What was once a comfortable standard of living now becomes a struggle for at least one party (if not both). The financial resources are split.

When we look at those impoverished, it is common to find single mothers occupying this space. They are the ones who are hit the hardest since they have to maintain a home while depending upon child support or other benefits in many instances. The fact that two incomes arent available makes it impossible to get ahead. This is the plight of the average divorcee in this era.

Minimalism Is The Answer

Before I get into the concept of communal living as I see it, I want to make a point about the average person we just mentioned. Now, please bear in mind that I am not 'picking' on the downtrodden as much as showing the mentality which is so prevalent in our culture (it exists among the middle class also).

People simply have too much stuff. They assume financial obligations without thinking about the long term merits of their actions. The simple truth is that most people in this country do not realize what 'poverty' really is. Anyone who traveled to lands such as Ethiopia or Haiti knows exactly what I am referring to. The United States, and most western cultures, have an incredible standard of living in comparison even on the low end. People here are worried about what to get the children for Xmas while starvation is rampant in many parts of the world.

Therefore, I assert we simply over indulge. The minimalist mindset will help to eliminate a great deal of poverty. For example, I believe that most 'poor' households have cable television. Why does someone who is making $12,000-$18,000 pay over $100 a month for a service like this? The answer is because they believe they are entitled to it. Well, I have news for you. It is possible to live without cable television. Eliminating this single expenditure can recoup almost 10% of these people's income. How do you think that will affect them?

Alas, this is something that most people never consider. It is beyond the comprehension of the average American to live without this service. And, that is why most are destined to remain enslaved. Freedom is for those who approach things differently. A minimalist mindset is what allows one to make the proper decisions.

Shared Housing

Once you realize how important it is to become a minimalist, one then sees how communal living is a practical avenue to pursue. While I acknowledge that establishing 'hippie-type' communes is not rational for most, I will assert that all should look at sharing resources. Besides, it is already something that most people do within the confines of marriage. Why not simply extend this idea outwards?

Before answering that, I will state that again we see the 'entitlement' mentality enter the picture. Many seem to believe they are entitled to their own place. We often hear a statement such as 'I value my privacy' as a reason for living alone. This mindset causes people to forgo their freedom. It is what straps people financially while enslaving them. Trust me when I tell your privacy is costing you tens of thousands of dollars.

It is not uncommon to see an single individual or couple in a two or three bedroom house. In this instance, it is up to that person to cover all the bills. While one has rationalization for living in this manner, the truth is that a fortune is wasted. But that is the American mindset.

What are the options in this instance. The first is to downsize to a single bedroom apartment. However, in many instances this is impractical. So what is another way for one to rectify this problem. In short, applying the idea of communal living is the answer. If this person (couple) brought in another to live under the same roof while sharing expenses, they would be a lot better off. Yet, as was mentioned, few ever consider the possibility.

Let us use as an example $1,000 in rent or mortgage. If this is something that one has to lay out on his/her own, then the total expenditure is 12,000 a year. Throw in cable, electric, and water and you can easily run up a tab of $15,000. In many instances this accounts for a large percentage of an individuals take home pay.

Now, let us move another individual into the picture. The same expenditures exist at the same rate with a few increasing because of a second person. For example, you might see a minimal increase in the water and electric due to additional usage. However, the rent/mortgage payment and the cable remain the same. So, let us say the additional person add $1,000 to the total annual tab, we now have $16,000. Yet, because there are two people paying the bills, each person is responsible for $8,000. This is a savings of $7,000 a year.

Of course, this is something that is fairly common within the United States. We see many who have roommates to help share expenses. However, I am trying to emphasize freedom through a minimalist mindset. So, we go one step further.

Coupling Up

This is an idea that really makes the above example turn on its head. There are many couples who move in together as a way to share resources (and yes they have other reasons for it). Nevertheless, this situation will see the two people share expense while living in a two bedroom house or apartment. While they are much better off than the single person in the same situation, they are far from realizing freedom. This can be done by cutting things even more.

How can this be done? Simply by adding another couple to the living arrangement. Now, instead of 2 people sharing the expenses, there are 4. Thus, each person's obligation is reduced even further (to $4,000). Couples who live with other couples under the same roof are able to exert tremendous economies of scale over the basic living expenses. Of course, this does mean one will give up some of his/her privacy.

Communal living is a economic goldmine. It is a way for people to minimize the impact of the basics in life. We all need shelter; it is something that we cannot live without. However, it often makes up the largest portion of a person's budget. By reducing it down as much as possible, one is able to enjoy a financial windfall. How do you think your life would change if you made $30,000 while having to pay $4,000 for your overhead? Suddenly, you have a fair bit of money to invest as a means of garnering more financial freedom.

Communal living is something that we will see this country get back to. In the 'olden' days, generations of families were housed under the same roof. All pitched in for the common good. Somewhere along the way we lost that idea. The entitlement and 'more' mentality set in. Now people are paying for those choices. The insight provided here will assist you along your path. There is not reason why you should bear the full burden simple because society tells you to 'live alone'. Communal living has many practical benefits which we all should explore.

Saving For A Rainy Day

This is the mantra for pack rat that justifies keeping an insane amount of stuff. The way people behave, you would think they were all part of the boy scouts: always prepared. No matter what the circumstance, one wants to be ready. Of course, as I found out, this is in direct opposition to the minimalist mindset.

As I was embarking upon my journey, I realized that I had a lot of stuff that fit into the 'in case' category. What I mean is that I had a ton of items I didnt need but hung onto on the off chance I might need them. Naturally, this led to a lot of space in my life being taken up.

An example was tonight when we were going through a basket. We uncovered a multitude of bottles of sample size shampoos and conditioners that the hotels give you free when you stay. When I asked, the response was, I keep them in case we go away. Well slap me twice and call me Suzie. This is insanity if I ever saw it.

Needless to say, I can tell you what shampoo is going to be used first in our house. The truth of the matter is that my life is focused upon creating freedom, thus some options were put on the back burner. In the next year, a trip to Europe is not on the agenda. Therefore, the need for travel size shampoo and conditioner (I am bald by the way) isnt going to be necessary. We will use them up and be done with that concept.

This is not uncommon. I am finding a bunch of stuff that falls into the same category. The sad part of this is that many items are replaced for a minor outlay of money. Honestly, if we were to travel tomorrow, how much would a bottle of shampoo cost? A couple of bucks. Besides, if we stay at a decent motel, there will be more of the sample size bottles there.

And that is the lesson. Why retain things that are easily replaced at a minimal cost. I understand that getting rid of things is wasteful. However, sitting unused in a closet is not the best use of something either. Get rid of it. I find that many of the items I am tossing, if the need for them should come up, I can run to the hardware store and buy the items needed. It isnt a big deal.

Of course, this concept is baffling to the pack rats. That is why most are held hostage by their stuff. They cannot envision life absent of a closet full of stuff. To a person of this ilk, no matter what happens, they will be prepared. As a minimalist, I would rather be free from the burden of all that stuff and buy it if the need should arise. Consider this when you come across something that you 'might' need. My philosophy is that might means get rid of it. Unless I am certain I am going to use it, it goes.

From this point forward, there are no rainy days to prepare for.

One Gone

I wrote last week how I made the decision to cancel my Netflix account. While this wasnt a major expense, going to $9.95 a month, it was one that is not in the category of a necessity. Watching television is a luxury which we do not need. It is a brainless way to entertain myself what I realize there are many other more productive uses for my time.

Therefore, as of this moment, I canceled the account thus eliminating another monthly payment. As we all know, those payments can add up. Taking control of one's budget is crucial if he or she ever wants to be free. This is another link in the slavery chain that I broke shed. Damn it feels good.

Time and Money

The free and slaves look at time and money differently. In short, people at each end of the spectrum have a different priority. Understanding this difference will assist you on your path towards freedom. Part of the process is to duplicate that which free people do.

Time For Money

Welcome to the life of 95% of the people in the western (and I am sure the eastern) world. This is a fundamental concept that people were taught from a young age which leads to total slavery. Individuals who follow this dogma can never attain any type of freedom. It is a life that is filled with imprisonment.

The concept that enslaves these people is trading time for money. Society is built upon this protocol. Everyone is told from a young age to 'get a job'. Sadly, the ones offering the advice are slaves themselves but do not realize it. Thus starts the inter-generational slavery that is so prevalent in our culture. One slave passes along the bondage to his/her offspring. It is a wonderful system for those in control.

This concept is effective because of the value people have. Few realize how valuable time is. Instead, they place money higher up on the scale of things they hold dear. Consumerism feeds the belief by promoting the definition of success. The net result is that even when people make more money, they are just as poor. Remember, it is not so important how much comes in as opposed to what goes out. Yet people still value money greatly.

The Free

Does everyone follow this idea? The answer is no. There are many people who place their priorities in a different order. Most will acknowledge that money is important. However, the free opt to place time higher up the scale then money. Instead of trading time for money, these people trade money for time.

The other night we were out walking and looking at the Xmas decorations. I am certain if we had been out on a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks before, we would see homeowners hanging their lights, wreaths, etc... This is an annual ritual all over suburbia America. Everyone knows it occurs with most participating. It is 'normal'.

My question is how long does it take to hang Xmas lights? We can safely presume a couple of hours. Therefore, millions of homeowners spend anywhere from 2-5 hours decorating their properties for Xmas and a similar amount of time taking them down after the New Year.

Do you think this is something that Brad Pitt does? Can you picture him standing outside his mansion on a ladder tacking up Xmas lights? While there is a chance this might happen, I find the odds are against it. Why? Simply because a man like Brad Pitt exchanges money for time. He is not going to sacrifice 5 hours of his life when he can pay a few hundred to have it done (or maybe thousand depending on the number of lights). The time that would be spent on this task is recouped by paying someone else to do it.

Balance

Many will believe I just told them to hire out all the chores around the house. This is not the case. If you read any of my previous posts, you know that economical living is a high priority for me. However, I needed to illustrate the concept to you so that you realize how enslaved you really are.

The free approach life in a far different way than the average person. When you really consider it, time is the most valuable resource there is. We can always make more money. You can never recoup lost time. Once it is gone, that is it. Brad Pitt knows this...do you? If you are exchanging 40 hours a week at a job you detest solely because of the check you receive at the end of the week (or every other week), then that is something to take a look at. You are living according to the time for money concept.

Therefore, if you want to break free, it is crucial that you begin to transform your mindset to the money for time. What are you wilingl to trade off to get more time? Of course, I am not suggesting you go and spend money elsewhere. Hell, if you are like the average person, you need to focus upon not spending. But, by implementing the minimalist mindset, you are adopting the money for time mentality.

Using the Xmas lights as an example, instead of hanging them yourself and spending that time, you could simply opt not to put them up. I know that thought is outlandish to some of you. But, once again we come to the point as to why are you putting them up? Is it something you enjoy or do you do it to appease others? If it is the later, then you are behaving as a slave.

The truth is elimination often takes care of both time and money, thus increasing both. If we dont have to spend it, then, theoretically, we dont need to earn it. Also, without buying it, then the time spent engage in that activity is regained. It is a win-win.

Freedom is all about spending time the way you prefer. In the above example, if you are one who loves hanging Xmas lights with the family, then by all means do it. However, do not blindly engage in a behavior without asking about it first. Freedom is something that is fought for on a daily basis. And, it is a battle that starts within your head. Understanding the time/value relation and how your value of each affects all that you do is a good beginning. Consider this concept in depth while looking at your life. I believe you will really be awakened at what you find.

Minimalist Principle: 80/20 Rule

Part of the idea of being a minimalist is to succeed in life with the minimal amount of resources utilized. Most often this applies to physical things. One of the first steps in my entry into this life was to declutter by going through all my things and scaling down. This process allowed me to free myself mentally, emotionally, and physically of the excesses in my life. I immediately felt freer as a result of this method.

Another area that the minimalist mindset applies is in terms of effort. Here is where the 80/20 principle comes into play. Anyone who is unfamiliar with this idea is missing one of the keys to life. In its simplest form, the 80/20 rule mandates that 80% of our results comes from 20% of our efforts. Of course, this principle can be expanded to all areas of life.

80/20-Focus

Focus is one of the things we must learn how to control. The 80/20 rule offers us an outline of where we need to place our attention. Consider this depth of this idea for a moment. 80% of the results come from 20% of our actions. By definition, that means that only 80% of our actions net us 20% of our outcomes. Therefore, we want to concentrate our minds upon the things that get us the most benefit.

In other words, we are seeking to maximize our return. In business, according to this rule, 80% of the profits will come from 20% of our customer base. Thus, we want to cater our efforts to this part of our customer list. The same is true in our relationships. 20% of our efforts will garner the most impact with our loved ones. 80% of all that we do has minimal impact.

As you can see, this concept holds up in all circumstances. What about you clothing? Do you find that you wear the same items regularly while some articles are only pulled our once or twice a year? If you are like most people who follow this principle, that is the fact. Therefore, we might be able to eliminate 80% of our wardrobe with minimal impact.

Time Management

Time management is a crucial skill we all need to hone. The truth is that time is the recourse each person is allocated equally. No matter what you status in life, we all get 24 hours a day. That does not change regardless of who you are. Donald Trump, with his billions, get the same number of minutes as the homeless person. The difference is what each of us does with the time.

The 80/20 rule enables us to focus upon those activities which have the greatest payoff. Eliminating all the 'busy work' helps us to forge a more profitable life. Those who seek freedom need to take control of his/her time so as to maximize the efforts. Most people wake up each day to go to a job they despise so as to pay their bills. The financial slavery most operate under as a result of their spending means they do not have choice of how to allocate their time.

What makes this matter even worse is that most waste many of their hours at work on senseless activities. This is done in an effort to appease the boss and protect one's place within the organization. No sane manager would fire anyone who is continually busy. The truth is that 80% of the actions could be immediately eliminated without much consequence to the company. Nevertheless, we will never see this happen in the corporate world.

As a seeker of freedom, you can approach things in a different way. Knowing and applying this principle frees you to pursue matters how you see fit. What is most important to you in life? Answer this question and spend the majority of your time in pursuit of this. That is the key to fulfillment. The highly successful know this principle intimately.

Waste

It is a startling revelation to learn that 80% of our efforts are basically wasted. The key to the minimalist mindset is to eliminate all waste in one's life. Excess is a part of all of our lives. Reducing our lives to the minimal means we are free to concentrate the important things. Plus, we have a greater incentive to appreciate that which remains.

Consumerism is the archenemy of freedom. We all have spent money (another valuable resource) on things that weren't essential. After the purchase, we place the item in a closet only to uncover it when we go through the declutter process. In short, we wasted money and closet space on something that need not be purchased in the first place.

If we carry this concept in all we do, we can see how our efforts are instantly empowered. Freedom is achieved by shedding the excess and only engaging in that which is important. The 20% is where our success and happiness lies. Spending the majority of our time on these tasks streamlines our lives. We enjoy greater fulfillment, more success, and increased happiness while reducing the effort spent to get there. This is the power of the 80/20 rule.

Apply this concept to every area of your life. Here we see minimalism in effort net physical results.

Slavery

The enslavement of society is incredible. In America, we believe that we live 'in the land of the free'. However, when viewed through the proper eyes, we realize that most Americans are far from free. In fact, they are in the opposite situation: they are enslaved. Sadly, this is a voluntary enlistment. People state that there are over 2 million people held in captivity. In truth, I doubt there are that many who live in freedom.

The Top 1%

Society talks about the Top 1%. Usually, this term is applied to those in the upper echelon financially. For example, the Top 1% of wealth holders. The question is why would anyone care about these people? The answer is because they represent freedom in the minds of most people. While this is not something that most acknowledge, it is factual when you know how the mind works.

Humans value what they do not have. Since most of society tends to work to pay its bills, we are envious of those who do not face the same difficulty that we do. The upper class of any society usually lives a lifestyle far removed from that of the average person. In our minds, these people live the 'good life'. It is a world where problems are optional since we know they do not face the same issues we all do. Since most people seem to be afflicted with either financial or job challenges, we tend to determine that the elite are problem free. Of course, this is totally false.

What the Top 1% of people represent is that class that can basically do whatever they want, wherever they want. It is an exotic lifestyle. We seem them traveling to foreign lands, staying in hot spots across the globe. Their days are spent on Rodeo Drive purchasing the finest goods the world has to offer. They have time and money, two commodities the average person is without.

It is true, these people are free. They live a lavish lifestyle where they can afford most anything they want. Their incomes are so great that spending is rarely a concern. Of course, as I pointed out in my last post, many find themselves in trouble because of their excess spending. However, barring this situation, most of them find they are free from the financial woes many of us face.

What We Earn

Did you realize the average person earns well over $1 million in his or her lifetime? Yet, at the age of 65%, most people are broke. In other words, they managed to earn and spend $1 million. This is absolutely appalling. How can this happen? The simple answer is people are slaves. Thus, they did as they were shown.

Consumerism is the enemy to freedom. Madison Avenue is infested with geniuses who are experts are creating marketing campaigns which separate us from our money. We basically are told what products we need to purchase and how we need to acquire them. 0% down, no interest for 12 months, buy here pay here. All these concepts are meant to satisfy the immediate gratification craving while putting off the day of reckoning...having to pay for it. Thus we are on a vicious cycle that we cannot get off.

People work full time (if they are lucky) to generate income to satisfy their cravings. Quite simply, if one wants an expensive automobile, he or she, with good credit, goes and finances it. Leasing programs allowed one to get into a car otherwise unaffordable. Of course, along with this comes the 36 monthly payments at a few hundred dollars a month. Not a big deal with you take into account the fact that we earn over $1 million in our lifetime.

However, that is not all. We do the same things with our homes, electronic equipment, and trips. Credit card balances are at an all-time high. People are so far in debt they barely keep up with the payments. Of course, we are told by debt consolidators to refinance all that debt at a fixed cost. This sounds good until we learn what the terms of that transaction really is. In the end, it is more slavery.

Why Do We Work?

Why do people work? To earn money to pay their creditors in most instances. That is the honest truth. People are driven into financial slavery by their own spending habits. Most of the civilized work would be completely bankrupt if they lost their jobs. We are now seeing this happen in millions of cases. People who claimed to be free were really living a lie. They didnt have any wealth. Everything was leverage. Therefore, someone else had dibs on all the goods one has. Now, when it comes time to pay up, most are finding they cannot afford it.

Of course, we can make this claim about employees. But what about those greedy business owners. The truth is they are in even a worse situation. Most of them are enslaved to their business. At least an employee can take his/her two week vacation. A business owner, even when away, is still responsible for the business. Thus, he or she never really gets free from it. The business has enslaved the owner. This takes on larger proportions when we realize that many owners earn a fair bit more than the employees and, thus, have a higher standard of living. That is another way of saying they spend money in larger denominations.

The Slave's Existence

A slave gets up and works all day long with nothing personal to show for his or her efforts. The fact is that a slave exists only for the benefit of another. When people work at jobs because they need the money, what does this say about this person's motive. He or she shows up and someone else gains. Of course, most will point to the owner. Actually, I do not believe people work for companies or specific owners. Instead, they work for their creditors.

Financial slavery is alive and well. Many proclaim it is because companies do not pay 'sustainable wages'. Hogwash. People earn enough money...just look back to the above number. The problem is people want to spend money they do not have. Our culture is such that everyone feels entitled to spend like the Top 1% without a thought of what is required to live that way. We want it now and we will have it. Money is no object. Few ever consider the consequences of their actions until it is too late. Nevertheless, the belief is that 'I am entitled'.

And this is the other area where people are slaves. Dogma is alive and well because people blindly have faith in it. Whether it is government, religion, or our relatives, the result is always the same. Whenever one adopts a belief system of another without questioning the validity or practicality in one's life, that person is enslaved. We witnessed people die for their faith and/or country. My question is did these people ever consider what they were defending? I hypothesize that few ever do.

The only way to be free is to examine what you believe and why. Why do people spend excessively in an attempt to feel better? Because he or she believes it will work. And where did this belief come from? Simply, someone taught it to them. The same can be said for any belief system. A free man questions everything to determine whether it suits his needs or not. This is not commonplace among society. Slavery of the mind is the greatest jailer ever created. Sadly, few even realize they are imprisoned.

Freedom Buster: Spending

What do these celebrities have in common?

Nicholas Cage
Billy Joel
Meatloaf
MC Hammer
Marvin Gaye
Bernie Kosar

The answer is they all went bankrupt. Each of these individuals earned millions of dollars but ended up broke. Why is that? Certainly many were victims of bad management advice while others got involved in investments that went bad. And still others had money stolen by dishonest lawyers and accountants. However, for everyone who suffered a fate like this, there are thousands who got there simply as a result of overspending.

Spending is the archenemy to freedom. People who cannot control their spending end up living as slaves. Their entire existence becomes a continual battle in earning enough to pay off the bills. Sadly, this is true whether one is bringing in millions or thousands. The end result is the same.

Have you ever thought about celebrity lifestyle? Leaving aside the fame, what makes it so attractive. To me, it is the freedom they have to do what they want. A person in this category does not have to get up and go to 'work. Instead, they choose the projects they opt to be involved with. This is how they generate income. Of course, it is a sound philosophy as long as the spending is kept in control. The second the spending starts to exceed the revenue, one starts on the path to bankruptcy.

The Hollywood crowd is not known for their minimalist lifestyle. Therefore, they tend to spend lavishly on houses, cars, and other exotic items. While their careers are successful, making the payments is commonly not a problem. However, more than a few suffered a reversal of fortunes where their careers dried up. At these times, the financial obligations can overwhelm even the most famous of people.

How does this all relate to your life? The philosophy is identical even though the numbers will change. Your path towards slavery is paved whenever you allow your spending to get excessive. Whether one is upside down to the tune of $500 a month or $5,000, the simple truth is that one's bills cannot be paid. In both instances the income was smashed by the spending.

So, how do we attain freedom? To me the best approach is to start by decreasing the expenses as much as possible. If you are able to reduce your monthly outlay by 50%, then you only need half as much money to live on. Therefore, if all other aspects remain the same, you will have excess every month. Invest the difference in an asset that yields a decent annual return and you will find that you are getting further ahead. This is the secret to building wealth. However, none of it is possible without first controlling one's spending.

We have all heard of the high income, high expense people. These are those individuals who earn a substantial salary but have little to show for it. I personally know people who cannot afford to retire even though their income is in excess of $100,000 a year. Spending put them in a hole that it will take years to get out of. Of course, habits do not change on their own so unless something is done, these people continue along the same path.

Understanding this concept will allow you the chance to enter into the 1% who live in freedom. Most of society operates as slaves. By controlling your need to buy, you will be able to establish a life based upon freedom principles. This is what the high income earners who do not find themselves enslaved do. Yet, contrary to popular opinion, one does not need to have tremendous cash flow to attain this state. Reducing your financial obligations to the bare minimums will lead to freedom.

The minimalist mindset is a terrific asset to have in this quest. When you look around you at all you have, can you tell me how much of it you really need? Most people have far more than they ever could consume or utilize. Truthfully, how many televisions does a person need? Do you need to continually get a new vehicle? Is a monthly cable bill mandatory for your existence? Can you get by on less than a 2500 square foot house? If you answered yes to these questions then I will say that you are perfectly suited to live as a slave.

It is easiest to control one's spending by purchasing only what is needed while minimizing the dollars spent on treats. Most people have too much 'stuff' in their homes. Getting rid of things through a decluttering process is an excellent way to begin the minimization path. However, a far better way is to never purchase the items to begin with. People literally enslave themselves with every financial decision they make. Sadly, it seems to happen $20 at a time.

Controlled spending is your path to freedom. Money is something that we simply need to get by in this culture. It is the medium of exchange that allows us to acquire the goods and services that are needed. However, excessive spending is the fundamental cause of many of the problems we face in the world today. Look at the various economic conditions of most governments, businesses, and individuals and you will see a spending problem. Countries are quickly becoming enslaved by the debt they are amassing. The rules apply no matter what level one is referring to. Spend to much and you will be a slave. It is that simple. Spending is the biggest freedom buster there is.

Another Chain Broken

Part of my itinerary with Freedomquest is to reduce my expenses down to the bare minimum. This allows me to break free from the bondage of societal norms that much quicker. I notice how much I spend on a monthly basis without getting proper value for it. Most services are good, however, not worth the money in light of what is paid. And, I am not particularly referring to the dollar amount either.

Netflix offers a wonderful service and was instrumental in helping me break my addiction to cable. Without this, I am not sure I could have gone 'cold turkey' with cable like I did at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, I was able to survive without having the 250 channels including HD (not that I had a HD television).

Yesterday, the decision was made to cut ties with this company. This is a decision that came about as a result of a number of factors. To start, Netflix is increasing their monthly subscription, to $9.95. The $1.00 increase isnt a big deal especially since I could have gone to a streaming only program which would have saved me a dollar. Now, I save the entire amount.

The second factor that went into this decision is the fact that I am in the process of breaking all the chains that hold me down. While the $9 a month is not a significant amount, I realize that it is still $100 a year. My conclusion that people kill themselves with the minimal purchases is at work here. Everything decision I make has to be with the idea of freedom. Television, or more specifically, movies do not lead to that end. Instead, I only receive entertainment. Now, I am going to pay myself $100 a year to learn to entertain myself.

Once I reached this conclusion, I went online and checked my account. I will state that I did not hit the cancel button as of yet for one simple reason: Netflix shuts the account down immediately and does not issue refunds for partial usage. Therefore, I figured I should utilize what I already paid for.

At this point I should mention one risk I am running. By not canceling immediately, I risk changing my mind. To someone less committed, I would say that once the decision is reached, go again and sacrifice the last couple of weeks. For the price of $4.00, it is worth not putting the forward momentum in jeopardy. I opted for this path simply because I understand my commitment to a radical life change. Anyone who is having torn feelings about it needs to break that chain at once.

This step is another one that I have taken in the last couple of weeks. At this rate, I believe I will attain my ultimate goal of being free within a reasonable period of time. My freedom goal is well within reach.

Waste Everywhere

Since I really started adopt the minimalist mindset as a foundation for my life, I notice how much waste is everywhere. This shows that I am grasping the concept completely. I am happy with the progress that is being made with my mental outlook. It is amazing to realize how the decisions people make shows how they are into living as slaves.

The other day, we went to drop off the converter box to the cable company. This was one of the steps I took over the last year to reduce my financial indebtedness to the large corporations. Getting rid of cable and the associated bill that went with it was one of the best things that I did. (If you really want to change your life, call your television provider and cancel it right now). Nevertheless, while standing in line, the lady ahead of us was going in the opposite direction. She was getting her service hooked up and she got the entire enchilada. When all was completed she got 6 HD boxes with two of them having the recording capability. Of course, this means that at her house there are already 6 HD televisions which shows a huge expenditure even on the low end. Now she will have a $220 a month bill on top of it all.

What is the waste here? How important is television really? Consider for a second that mankind survived thousands of years without this medium. Therefore, unlike food or water, it is something that we can do without. This particular lady is throwing her financial freedom away to help the profits of some faceless corporation. The sad fact is that she has no idea what it is costing her.

Here is an example of how much it costs her. $220 a month over the course of 5 years will come to $15,317.04 if invested at 5% return (my math might be off since I did it all by hand but you get the point). Now, let me ask you, do you think this person could use this money for a better purpose? Can you imagine the trip one could go on with this type of vacation fund? Instead, each month she will make a payment towards supporting someone else to entertain her family. In my opinion it is a high price to pay.

Freedom is a valuable commodity that people toss away with every decision they make. The above example show how this woman is sacrificing her future ability to do what she wants by having a service that ultimately provides little value in return. Sure there are lots of wonderful programs on television. But, I stand by my assertion that none of them are worth the price ultimately paid.

Freedomquest is the process of retaking our freedom back. To me, this all starts in the mind. Noticing where other people waste their precious resources is just one step in the process of acquiring the freedom mindset. Being a minimalist allows one to look at all the physical items that people spend money on. The ultimate question always is was value received for it? Many will claim yes based upon their consumption mentality. However, the truth is that few really understand the difference between a want and a need. This is paramount to the minimalist lifestyle. Eliminating all excess is a freeing experience. There is some pain involved because of the conditioning that we have. Nevertheless, we can see with clarity how much is wasted throughout our lives.

Start to notice the waste that is around you. Be mindful of what others are spending money on. Relate this back to your own life. I am certain you will see how your freedom is being given away with each purchase.

Minimalist Mindset: Treats

Treat: anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment (dictionary.reference.com)

As I make my excursion further into the minimalist lifestyle, I realize how much is wasted throughout the course of our lives. Today I make the correlation between a treat and waste. Isnt it interesting that the average mentality assumes that a treat is expensive. Why shouldn't it? Madison Avenue is paid huge sums of money to ingrain in us exactly what we need to think. When it comes to 'treats' we are taught to think of extravagance.

The above definition does a terrific job capturing the essence of what I am referring to. It is something, either an item or an action, that affords a particular pleasure. One other caveat that I would add to this is that it must be something that is different from the norm. Watching the same program on a weekly basis is not a treat since it is something that is part of the normal routine.

While I considered this subject, what first struck me is how people turn what should be a treat into a regular activity. For example, eating out should be an activity that is done as a treat. Instead, most people find themselves doing this a few times a week (or more). Therefore, the treat is lost since it is part of the normal pattern.

A second idea that came to me is that the treat does not have to hit a certain dollar amount. The definition above fails to contain the words expensive, costly, or regal. Certainly a treat could be those things but it not necessarily. That led me to conclude that one needs to alter the what he or she thinks about a treat.

Why do I mention all of this? My reasoning is simple if you understand Freedomquest. Most people live the slavery existence because they have no control over their finances. The average person earns over $1M in his or her lifetime yet have little to show for it at retirement. You would think that with this type of money earned, one could put away 10% which is $100,000 if the person earned no interest. However, most fall short of this.

What happens to all that money? One of the biggest problems is people 'treat' themselves all too often. When this occurs, income that could be invested is squandered. An example is the outlook of spas. We all saw the commercials where we are told to treat ourselves to a nice day at the spa. "Pampering" is what it is called. After all we deserve it.

My question is what does this pampering cost? $100? $200? $500? Honestly I have no idea but I know it can easily run into hundreds of dollars. And what do we get for this pampering? Obviously the person feels really good after (until he/she has to pay the credit card bill). That is the benefit. Therefore, it was all worthwhile.

Which brings me to my next question: how does this person feel 3 or 4 days later? In most instances, I presume that relaxed feeling is gone. Life has taken over. The money is spent yet the person feels the same as always. The treat was fleeting.

And that is the very point about treats...they are fleeting. The enjoyment or pleasure is only temporary. Whether it is a nice dinner, a day at the spa, or concert tickets, the net result is the same. The sensations felt in the moment dwindle as the next few days pass. Usually within a week, if it takes that long, the enjoyment of the treat is completely gone. So, why do we pay huge sums of money to give ourselves a treat. That is like a dieter giving him or herself a treat by eating an entire box of chocolates. Not very sensible is it?

Therefore, a major shift that needs to be made is to 'minimize' your treats. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars on something that is fleeting, make your purchases less costly. If you are going out to dinner, do not spend $50 a plate on something that will ultimately end up in the sewer system. I can attest that a dinner that costs a fraction of that amount ends up in the same place. Expensive treats simply do not make sense.

The minimalist mindset applies to every area of your life. Trying to cut corners only ends up costing you. If freedom is your ultimate goal, be sure you are truly committed to taking the action that will get you there. Looking at the world through minimalist eyes will assist you in taking the proper action. This is how important the mindset truly it.

Self Esteem

This is a topic that is a fundamental part of the minimalist lifestyle. Without having a healthy self esteem, one will never be able to adopt the minimalist way of life. Instead, he or she will be sucked into the culture of consumerism shortly after entering it. Self esteem is the defense against Madison Avenue.

So why do I make this proclamation? It is simple. We are conditioned to believe that we are not enough. Advertisers taught us for years that we need to have ______________ to make us complete. Want to be cool, smoke a certain brand of cigarettes. If you want to have the love of your significant other, get her a ____________________ car for Xmas. Regardless of the product, we are ingrained with the idea that an object will make us complete. The devastating part of that concept is that one needs to acquiesce that he or she is broken in the first place. In other word, you are not enough.

Here is a statement that needs to be implanted in your mind and repeated over and over.

YOU ARE ENOUGH EXACTLY AS YOU ARE!!!

Regardless of your lot in life, you are enough exactly how you are. There is no need for you to 'buy' anything. Expenditures of this nature do not complete you and end up costing you freedom. Debt is a common problem within our society; much of it tied to the low esteem that people have.

Minimalism is about taking hold of freedom. No longer is one at the mercy of the advertisers and the large corporations. Instead, minimalist living entitles one to choose what is important while lining up purchases accordingly. This begins with the minimalist mindset. Part of that is knowing you are worthy exactly as you are.

Western culture is wrought with slavery. People are pushed into taking on debt to compensate for some perceived shortcoming. This begins the vicious cycle of 'retail therapy'. We buy into the idea that buying something will make us feel better. Unfortunately, like a drug, this is only a temporary fix. After a short while, the 'hole' returns. Nothing was accomplished by the expenditure.

A quick story in summation: I remember a number of years ago a got a new car. It was a 'intelligent' purchase in that I got a substantial discount by getting the previous years model. (It was March so the dealership was ready to unload since the new models came out the previous September). I financed the purchase since I did have the cash. Thus, I had my new car.

Now, this is where the story gets interesting. Can you guess what I had two months later? I no longer had a new car. Instead, I had 58 more car payments left. My new vehicle turned into a debt that hung around my neck for the next 5 years.

Fortunately, I am happy to report that the April will mark the 60 month since I made the last payment. Today, my esteem doesn't need the stroking that most solve by assuming a long term obligation. I would rather drive a 10 year old car and be free of the monthly debt payment. This is freedom.

Minimalist Pointer #1

Here is something that I discovered. As I was sorting through all my 'stuff', I compiled a great deal that was going to Goodwill. As the items were piling up in my living room, I realized that the same energy sapping feeling was coming over me. Therefore, I decided to load up the car and make a couple of trips immediately to the thrift shop and donate the items.

What a difference. So, here is pointer #1:

If you decide to give it away, get it rid of it within 24 hours.

Not only will this give you a feeling that you are making headway, it also eliminates the temptation to pull things off the pile.

The Minimalist Mindset

Over the past week or so, I really adopted the minimalist mindset. Yesterday, was a major decluttering day at my house. There is still a long way to go but progress is being made. Now, I am adopting the outlook of what can I get rid of. Once I came to the conclusion of what really is going in with consumerism, I quickly realized how I need to alter my life. The mind is the first place this starts.

What does the minimalist mindset do for me and what does it have to do with freedom? In my opinion, they match up so well for the simple fact that possessions can become jailers. So many people are owned by their 'stuff'. This extends to every area of their life. People are shaken when their things are lost or destroyed. The importance of things is elevated to an unhealthy level.

You would think I know this lesson well. In 1998, I had a house (I was renting) destroyed by a hurricane; 80% of my possessions were lost. The ironic thing is that within a couple of years I all that stuff back and then some. In truth, the items that were destroyed were really inconsequential. The bigger picture is what needs to be looked at.

Freedom means being able to live life as I see fit. It also means having the ability to go wherever I want whenever I want. Other might hold a different definition but this is what works for me. That being said, I assert that being bogged down with all kinds of physical items precludes me from doing this. I cannot attain the level of freedom I desire when I am dragged down. Also, when I think of the financial ramifications of my decisions upon my freedom, I understand that a change is in order.

Consumerism is a habit of the mind. We, as a society, continually think we need more. This is untrue. I am rapidly learning that minimalism is also a conditioning of the mind. I am training myself to think of ways I can get by on less. Implementing this habit will immune me from the power of Madison Avenue and the media. Instead of them dictating what I need, that power reverts back to me. The minimalist mindset is breaking me free from the hold of large corporations.

'Stuff' is just a symbol of all that is going on. It isn't the stuff that I need to get rid of but, rather, all that is tied to it. To start, I have the emotional connection to inanimate objects. I feel this is unhealthy. Ridding myself of the item negates the emotional attachment. Also, I am freed from the burden of housing, cleaning, and taking care of it. The maintenance of our stuff is time consuming and expensive. It is another burden that I am unloading.

I am convinced that the minimalist mindset is the piece that was missing from my life. For years, I was so close to putting it together but I just seemed to fall a bit short. I never could figure it out. Now I can see clearly how it all ties in together. Over the next few months I am going to detail how interconnected it all is and how this can help everyone. When I say that my goal is a major movement towards freedom, I mean it. People inherently want to be free. This is a desire that society suppresses for its own benefit. The minimalist mindset is one area where you will start to gain some of that freedom back.

Success is just around the corner.

Decluttering

This is a major decluttering phase for me. I was always one who prided myself on keeping things to a minimum. Well, I now realize how wrong I was. Today, two trunk loads of stuff went to Goodwill. Also, there were a number of grocery bags full that went to the trash. The garbage cans are presently overflowing. Thankfully, tomorrow is trash day so I can start all over again.

It is an exciting process. This is the phase that is easy. Much of my day was spent walking back and forth grabbing items along the way. There is so much that can be discarded without much effort or thought. One would think it hard but it really is not. The mindset is important though. The tendency is to fall into the old behavior to hold onto things. However, it was fleeting at this time. Of course, I stated many times this is only round 1. There will be more to clear out.

A couple of things that I learned through this process. Once you decide to rid yourself of one thing, all the accessories can go with it. It is amazing how much we have to purchase to support a decision.

Some of the examples that we encountered today:

-The decision to not hang anything else on the walls meant that all the picture hangers and wall mounting studs could be tossed.

-By getting rid of electronics I suddenly didnt need nearly as many power strips nor extension cords.

-A large number of hangers were taken to Goodwill since my clothing was cut in half.

The next phase will be a bit more difficult. However, I realize now what needs to be done. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking inventory of things. The best way to approach this is to take everything out of the closet or drawer and count it. Then, decide what the needed number is. For example, I did this with the coffee mugs. After pulling them out, I found out we had 10. This is an extraordinary amount for two people. I decided to reduce to 4 (for the moment since 2 will be the end number). That meant 6 could go. I did the same thing with my pants, shorts, and dress shirts.

My mindset is to keep focusing on how minimal can I get with the things that I have. Do I really need all that I am hanging onto? The answer is no. If I had to leave tomorrow, how difficult would it be? At present, extremely. I realize that I still am holding onto way too much stuff. The next couple of weeks will equate to more progress. I know how important it is for me to minimize in my life. Freedom is tied to it.

Why Become A Minimalist?

My personal answer is so that I do not end up in the place where my parents are right now. Both of them are at an age where retirement becomes an option. Sadly, even though they were always high income earners, they do not have enough resources to retire comfortably. The truth is that to do so at this time would require a drastic decrease in their standard of living. It is a shame considering all those years of high productivity.

The people are no different then the majority of society (at least western society). We live in a culture which promotes consumerism. Every 10 minutes we see ads on television telling us that we need to spend money on ABC product. People buy into this. The mainstream knows that it can influence behavior. Mercedes, Tiffany, and Rolex sell the idea of a dream life. Sadly, for most, the only thing that comes with their products is debt.

It is a fact that we, as a nation, consume way too much of everything. Americans are by far the worst but the Europeans and Japanese are gaining quickly. The new mantra is spend to success. Even the President of the United States stated that "we will spend our way our of this recession". That mindset goes against every common sense financial concept. Unfortunately, many of the American public is also trying to do the same thing.

Getting by on less is a fundamental concept that is going to salvage this country. The truth is that most people make more than enough money to live on. Overall, it is not a problem with the revenue generated but, rather, the money spent. As we can see with my parents, they made a ton of money while retaining very little.

Having a minimalist mindset to me means moving my life in the direction of total freedom. I do not need to be a slave to the banks, auto finance company, or big box retailers. Nor are my values and beliefs implemented by Madison Avenue. I am free to live as I see fit. Part of this process is taking control of my spending and reducing it down to the barest minimum. Many will think this is being cheap. I look at it as being smart.

Back in January, I was able to 'cut the cord' to my television set. Cable tv went out the window in my house. The monthly savings is $60 a month. This equates to a $720 yearly savings or over $3500 in the course of 5 years. Many will think this a small number but, before taxes, one would need to earn almost $6000 to bring home the amount needed to pay the cable bill. Are you that entertained by what you see on television? I decided I was not.

Freedom is something that most talk about but few have. We are slaves to all the stuff we have in life. Those who find ways to cut back before necessity sets in are able to realize the freedom associated with having this mindset. While everyone else is worried, a minimalist knows he or she will excel no matter what happens. When one needs very little, that individual is immune to the 'slavery' concept that society promotes. Instead, one is able to adapt without tremendous effort to whatever comes along. This is the entire concept that attracted me to this way of life.

My new found outlook is for me to own and run my life as opposed to having that done by the things in it.

Multitasking Myth

A major component of the minimalist idea is to enjoy more of the present moments. Sadly, too much of our time is spent 'distracted'. This is something that we observe in all facets of life. Technology has only served to increase this trait. Now we are texting, talking, checking our email while attempting to carry on conversations. The truth is that little time is truly spent in the present moment.

One of the ideas I worked on today is to be in the present moment by focus only on a single activity at one time. I can tell you how difficult it is to do in reality. My life, like most other people, is filled with all the electronic devices which can ruin my present moments. Overall, I know I suffer a lack of productivity and connection because of this.

That leads me to the 'multitasking myth'. For years, I heard about those who professed to be 'experts' at multitasking. This always struck me as odd since logic led me to another conclusion. The truth is that it is impossible for the mind to focus on two things at one time. This is not my conclusion but that of the scientific community. That being said, I find it hard to believe that one can be more productive when trying to do two things at one time.

Instead of following the masses into this mindless myth, I am going to concentrate all my focus upon the activity which is right in front of me at the present moment. This is a key part and is in keeping with the minimalist mindset. What is simpler than the idea of concentrating on doing one thing at a time?

One aspect to understand is the concept of momentum. Physics tells us that it takes less energy to keep something in motion once it is going as compared to the energy required to get something moving. We are nothing more than a bundle of energy. Momentum is the force that allows us to press ahead with an activity while expending as little effort as possible. The only way to create this is to start an activity and stick with it until completion.

Compare this idea to the continual start and stop required when trying to do multiple things simultaneously. Since we know that it is impossible for the brain to process the two ideas at one time, we then can conclude that it must go back and forth between the different activities. Can you see how we have a start and stop situation. Each time we revert back, we need to determine where we left off to decide what the next move is. This is all eliminated if we simply focus on doing the first activity to completion.

Some might take exception to the ideas I expressed here. That is fine. However, for me, since I want to live a life of total freedom, I am not going to be bound by the misconceptions of society. I am now understanding in great detail how we are all sold a 'bundle of lies' by the cultures we live in. The truth is skewed by people with agendas. Everywhere we turn, there is someone promoting some kind of dogma which we take as gospel. The sad fact is we rarely question what is happening. Fortunately, I started asking and I didnt like the answers I received.

Today, I suggest you follow in my footsteps by casting off the 'multitasking myth'. Focus all your efforts on the one activity that is in front of you. If you need some immediate assistance in getting started, here is a wonderful article by Joshua Becker with 6 suggestions to help you get into present moment living. I will keep you updated on my progress.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the day to give thanks in the United States. I commented earlier in the week to something that I found it intriguing that we have Black Friday the day after we assemble to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Consumerism penetrated all aspects of our lives. Holidays lost the original intent and, thus, are simply another reason to hold a 'storewide' sale.

I am so thankful that I am at this point in my life. The next few weeks will be interesting. I wrote yesterday that the batch going Goodwill is expanding. I talked with Kitten today and she added another couple bags full of clothes. We both are adopting this life. It is wonderful to be with someone who gets it also. She wants the freedom that I described to her. Together, along with anyone else we implement, we will get there.

Earlier, I read a blog which really struck a cord with me. In it, Everett Bogue wrote that he met a friend of his and discussed this lifestyle. Through their conversation, the secret was revealed which was shared in the post. Fortunately, I am going to pass it along as freely as it was given to be. The secret is: You need to lead a lifestyle that you want people to live. In others words, as was states, lead a really cool life and blog about it.

That really hit home with me. This is what I was always seeking. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to lead a cool life yet simply did not know how. Now, I am really starting to understand. Freedom is the most important things in my life. The minimalist mindset is only the start. This is an outlook that I feel certain will lead to all my goals. It is the key that I sought for many years.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day , my life is leading in a different direction. I have established a drop dead date to exit my present prison and step into total freedom. The clock is counting. It is exciting while also instilling some fear. But overall, I know I will succeed.

Happy Turkey Day everyone.