Our simplicity challenge for July

July 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This month, as we explore simplicity in all its guises, we’d like to throw out a challenge to you.

Become attuned to the seasons.

If it’s winter, like it is here, enjoy the bracing fresh air as you throw a ball or go for a walk. Enjoy the warmth of the sun without fear of baking. Cook delicious soups and casseroles and stir a fragrant risotto. Make pasta with the kids. Enjoy a glass of red in front of the fire. Curl up with a good book under a snugly throw rug. Watch the clouds skid across the sky, driven by the cold winter winds.

And for our northern friends, relish the warmth of summer. Relish the long hours of daylight, and make the most of the extended afternoons to spend time outdoors. Notice the scents of summer, how the heat really brings out the frangrance of your garden. Relish the feel of water against your skin as you swim. Enjoy the sand beneath your feet on your beach sojourn. Eat light, delicious, fresh salads. Savour a long, cool drink with lots of ice, the drips of condensation providing added coolness to your skin.

Are you up to the challenge?

Posted by karen | Filed Under Challenge Space, July 08 

Your Breathing Space for July

July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

“The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils,
light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand,
the path of right just before you.

Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain,
common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and
daily bread are the sweetest things in life.”

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Image by Amy Palko

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Posted by leah | Filed Under Breathing Space, July 08 

Some Simple Relationship Guides

July 1, 2008 | 2 Comments

Simplicity comes in all shapes and sizes.

In the Relationship Space I often have long stories and passionate pleas to you, dear reader, to search for and savour the real and simple joys to be found in relationships.

For simplicity’s sake I decided that you might like a change from my voice this month, and instead share with you some other voices.

If you look in any bookshop, the Self-Help section gets bigger by the year. Along with the latest fad diets on those bookshop shelves are endless books on relationships, dating, divorce etc.

As I spin my chair around to my own bookshelf, I can see at least 30 text and self-help books focusing on relationships and communications.

Have I read them all? No. Like you, I don’t have that much time. Some I’ve consumed with total pleasure, others are so dry that I use them more for diving into when I need extra information.

So I figured that’s probably what happens to you when you front up to the bookshop. Often what prompts buyers to approach those shelves at the shop is the most recent fight, the most recent hurt or disappointment, or perhaps a sense of disillusionment seeping into your heart.

No relationship disillusionment can be laid entirely at the feet of one person. And as you have no control over what anyone else does, the first changes can only come from you. It helps to think about how you see the situation, how it feels to look at it, and what actions you take in response.

And rather than be a victim, you want to take action.

So this month’s new voices are the voices I find easiest to read, and those I’m quickest to recommend to clients. I’ve chosen these books based on:

· the simple good sense they share with the reader

· PLUS the guides to actions you can take - right now

The Almost Perfect Marriage: One Minute Relationship Skills

This is from one of my favourite Australian authors, Stephanie Dowrick. While all her books have tons of useful stuff, this slim little volume with big text, few words, and great hints is the simplest way to start thinking differently about your self and your relationship.

It’ll take 10-15 secs to read a page at the start of a day and decide to take action.

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

In this book, Gary Chapman helps us identify what is the most crystal clear, laser-directed, message of love to someone.

We all find it hard to understand when someone speaks to us in a foreign language. Chapman argues that if we express our love to someone in a way that is not their natural love language, we run a very high risk of them eventually concluding they are unloved, and vice versa.

Chapman’s style is easy-reading, filled with lots of stories as examples, and it guides you through identifying your own language and that of your partner.

I guarantee THIS simple technique will make a difference to your life.

Relationship Rescue: Don’t Make Excuses! Start Repairing Your Relationship Today

Those of you familiar with American TV and Australian daytime television will know of Dr Phil McGraw. First seen as a regular advisor on Oprah, Dr Phil now has a daily show of his own and plenty of polarised critics and fans.

I’ve included Relationship Rescue because he guides you through a whole lot of reviewing of you and your relationship, with simple quizzes, a bit of myth-busting, and some good assignments. This book was written early in the Texan’s fame-filled career before he got too “out there”. But if you don’t like the Texan-twanged Phil, then don’t go there!

These three books seem to be in most libraries and bookshops. The fact that they’re readily available says that they’ve stood the test of time.

Good hunting and why don’t you let us all know if you disagree with my selections? Or even better, if you’ve found good, simple, relationship enhancing books, then please share your opinions with us in the comments section below this article.

Credit for Holding Hands Photo: Gem Fountain on Flickr

Posted by chris | Filed Under July 08, Relationship Space 

K.I.S.S.

July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

– Leonardo da Vinci -

KISS - keep it simple stupid, words to live by! As I get older and forgetful, the sayings I heard in my youth (mostly from my family of six and not by choice) do come back to haunt me as I finally ‘get it’. Of course, now that I get it, complete with blazing bulb I have to ensure my children hear these simple nuggets of wisdom which ultimately means a lot of eye rolling and not always behind my back!

In any case, I’m all for keeping things simple and and here is some reading material to cover some of the issues some of us might have. Hopefully they will lead to simplifying the complexities of each matter including that of simplicity itself ;)

Simple Chinese Cooking - Kylie Kwong

Cooking Chinese food at home has never been easier – all you need is this book, a wok and a quick trip to the supermarket.

Kylie Kwong’s philosophy is to use the freshest produce and cook it simply to make the most of the clean flavours. All the necessary ingredients are available at your supermarket and Kylie’s recipes are friendly and straightforward. In no time, you’ll be cooking everyday favourites like soy sauce chicken and sung choi bau on weeknights and fresh-tasting button mushroom salad and prawn wonton soup for weekend occasions.

Enhanced by Earl Carter’s inspiring photographs of all the finished dishes, and with step-by-step pictures to guide you through their preparation, Simple Chinese Cooking will never be far from your kitchen.

Gorgeous Skin in 30 Days - Erica Angyal

The newest skin care and anti-ageing tools are the fork and the spoon!

Erica Angyal explains how her detox programme and great nutrition can lead to radiant skin in just 30 days. This easy-to-read manual offers everything you need to know to achieve healthy skin and prevent premature ageing. It contains a special section for brides and those wanting flawless skin for special occasions.

Erica Angyal is a health practitioner, nutritionist and consultant. Born in Australia, she graduated from the Sydney University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health Science. She also has a Diploma of Nutrition and is a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. She is currently based in Tokyo where she works as a nutritional consultant, as a health columnist for lifestyle magazines and presents regular seminars on preventative health and nutrition.

Getting Unstuck: 8 Simple Steps to Solving Any Problem - Dr Joy Browne

When it comes to problem-solving, Dr. Joy Browne is a pro at not only doing it, but showing you how to do it, too. On her own syndicated radio and television programs, she plays host to millions of listeners whose problems are solved one caller at a time.

In this book, she lays out her revolutionary 8-Step Problem-Solving System, making it crystal-clear how to go about finding answers to life challenges. When it comes to finding solutions, Dr. Joy knows that there’s no problem too big or too small. Whether you want to overcome your fears, gain perspective and self-awareness, or perfect the fine art of relationships at home or at work, this book has the answers you’ve been looking for.

Dr. Joy Browne will teach you how to quit being your own worst enemy and start being your own best friend, parent, mentor, and shrink all wrapped up in one. Full of timeless wisdom, profound insight, and gentle humor, Getting Unstuck is Dr. Joy’s definitive guide to cutting through the psychological red tape that stands between you and the life you want.

Finding Your Voice - Mary Atkins

This is the definitive self-help guide to presenting and public speaking for both the amateur and professional. It provides a comprehensive step-by-step approach to being an effective speaker, covering a range of public speaking challenges from vote of thanks through to professional presentations.

Mary Atkins is an award-winning speaker with over 20 years’ experience in training and coaching presenters. A member of the global organisation International Training in Communication (ITC) for 16 year, Mary is an Accredited Communicator.

Much in demand as an evaluator and judge, her talents for encouraging speakers to reach their potential is renowned. Mary has also put her advice into practice on numerous occasions, presenting on television, radio and in front of live audiences.

Posted by marjorie | Filed Under July 08, Reading Space 

5 Good Reasons To Keep Your Writing Simple

July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

The finest language is mostly made up of simple, unimposing words (George Eliot)

I am a major fan of plain, simple writing. Here are five good reasons why:

Simple words are universal: the simpler the words, the plainer the writing, the easier it is for other people to understand you. Simple writing helps us to communicate, to build bridges, to make connections across barriers of time, culture and language.

Simplicity saves time: we’re living in a time-poor world (the developed part of it anyway). Your readers are busy. You’re busy. Keeping it simple saves your reader time, and makes it easier and quicker for you to write.

You’re in good company: think about some of your favourite quotes, most inspirational speakers, books that you love… chances are they’ll bear the hallmarks of plain, simple powerful writing.

Simple writing is essential: simplicity helps you to focus on your point, to strip away the clutter so what really matters - the essence of your words, your thoughts, your feelings - shines through.

Simplicity breeds confidence: plain simple writing is a sign of confidence. You trust these plain simple words to convey your message and you don’t need to disguise it with the camouflage of jargon or use fancy phrases to buff it up.

It’s easier for your readers to follow and understand. If you’ve got a powerful positive story to tell, keep it simple and they’ll enjoy the benefits.

And last but not least, if you keep striving for simplicity in your writing you’ll love reading back what you’ve written. You’ll be astonished, over and again, by the power of the message and the punch of your words. You’ll be surprised, amazed and grateful for the plain simple truth of your writing, and the power of your own simple words.

PS I’ve chosen a picture of my own to illustrate this piece: the simplest of garden flowers. Plain, simple, revealing her glorious essence. Oh and yes, it’s a reminder from nature that there’s power and symmetry in five points…

Posted by joanna | Filed Under July 08, Writing Space 

Spiritual Simplicity

July 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Source: istockphoto.com - MaicaThere is a real trap when walking the spiritual path I’ve discovered. How many of us have read every book anyone has ever recommended, or we’ve seen on-line, in stores, etc? We are on a journey of exploration after all, trying to find a pearl, an ‘aha’ moment, something which will bring us beauty, purity, clarity and simplicity.

My best spiritual buddy (Mum) and I have done this for many years, and found a few gems from lots of wonderful resources. Ironically, the deeper the exploration went, the more we both sought simplicity, and quite independently we returned to two sources which I highly commend to you:

Frederick Baile’s book “Hidden Power for Human Problems” is a truly wonderful book written many years ago, long before self-help books came into vogue. It can be found on Amazon.

The second is The Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the Serenity

to accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can

and Wisdom to know the difference

Simplicity itself, so I won’t attempt to analyse or explain. Rather, I will leave you to ponder just what this wonderful prayer means to you.

How simple our lives would be if only we could put it into practice!

Love, peace and wisdom

Posted by annie | Filed Under July 08, Spiritual Space 

Just Baggage Enough

July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.

– Author unknown

Which would you prefer…

…A bookshelf overflowing with cookbooks, more recipes torn from magazines stashed in a drawer. There are so many recipes you don’t know where to start or to find that special one… you’re sure it had a picture of… what was it now? It’s all too hard, we’ll just have the usual. – Or – A select few cookbooks from favourite chefs or using favourite techniques, some tried and true recipes logged in a binder. They are stored right there where you can easily reach them and you feel inspired to plan and cook delicious fresh meals.

…A child’s room with so many toys they cascade from the cupboard, are stacked up in every corner as well as under the bed. Still there’s more scattered on the floor. You step on toys as you fight your way across the room. The child is bored and can’t imagine what to do next. – Or – A stimulating but small selection of open-ended toys and games. Each has a place and can be found there. Some more are tucked away elsewhere to be rotated on a regular basis. The child loves to play in their room for hours. The child has also learned to value their possessions and occasionally makes charitable donations of their outgrown toys.

You get the idea. Going through life with “just baggage enough” saves money. Purchasing and storing more than enough adds up. Find that hard to believe? Take a look around and count the number of “storage solutions” you currently use. Count cupboards, containers, baskets, shelves. Still need convincing? Remember back to your childhood. I bet you lived in a smaller house then. Extra rooms cost big bucks.

“Just baggage enough” saves effort. There’s less dusting, lifting, packing away and family discussions about tidiness.

“Just baggage enough” saves time. Maintenance of extra “baggage” takes time away from other important tasks.

Posted by angela | Filed Under July 08, Organising Space 

5 Tips on Adding Simplicity to Your Technology

July 1, 2008 | 2 Comments

Your digital world can get very complicated and out of control if you don’t take the time to look after it. Here are 5 easy wasy to keep things simple with your technology.

1. Label your Cables

Whether it be your computer or your home entertainment system it can be frustrating and time wasting to have to work out which cable goes with which device. I’m sure that you’ve had the experience of getting a new widget that has yet another charging cable, a cable to connect it to others devices and any number of other cables.

You can use labelling machines (I’ve got a Brother P-Touch 55 which I love), permanent marker if it is a light coloured cable, or even plastic bread tags.

2. Match Your Digital Filing to your Paper Filing

A quick way to find things is to have you document filing be consistent, regardless of whether it is digital or paper based. So if you have a folder in your filing cabinet called “tax 2008″ for your taxation paperwork then make sure you also have a folder on your hard drive called “tax 2008″. Simple and consistent is what works best here.

3. Simplify your backup procedure

When it comes to backing up digital data my experience is “if it’s not easy it doesn’t happen”. Are you willing to loose all your files, photos and audio downloads (that you paid good money for) for the sake of not having an easy to use backup system?

You could get an external hard drive like the Maxtor One-Touch range where backing up is as simple as pressing a button on the front of the unit. You may prefer an off line option like Carbonite - it loads a piece of software on your computer that backs up modified files while the computer is idle and you are doing other things.

4. Get a regular 10,000kms service

Just like you service other regularly used machines to keep them running well unless you give your computer a regular service the hard drive can slow down, the RAM can get clogged up and your frustration levels can rise. Many people believe that it might be time for a new computer when this happens when in fact all that is needed is a regular service.

If you are an everyday user of your computer then I would suggest a monthly clean-up and defragmentation of your hard drive using the systems tools that came with your computer. Every 6 months I would suggest a visit by your favourite technician to clean up the registry, make sure that there aren’t unnecessary processes running and to maximise the speed of the machine.

5. Keep it Clean

You may not thing about it much but dust, condensation and even mold can get into your technology and reek havoc with it. Most technology needs nothing more than a regular dust to keep it in top condition. The fans on your computer are especially susceptible to drawing in all the nasties in the environment (especially if your desktop computer is actually a floor residing one). You can use your vacuum cleaner on low with the upholstery brush to clean the dust from the back of your computer. While you’re at it the same attachment works wonders on the keyboard.

Never use commercial cleaning products on any part of your technology, especially screens (it sends them cloudy) and if you are unsure always consult the user documentation or the manufacturer’s website.

EXTRA TIP :

There is of course one place where you don’t want to simplify things when it comes to technology - your passwords!

Make sure that any password you have contains a mixture of upper and lowercase characters, numbers and if permitted characters such as !@#*.

Try to avoid words that are commonly found in the dictionary and definitely DON’T use birthdays or drivers license numbers.

So there you have it 5 tips to keep things simple when it comes to your technology and one way that simple can get your technology in trouble.

What are your simple tips for better technology?

Posted by leah | Filed Under Digital Space, July 08, Uncategorized 

Simplicity is Sustainables Best Friend

July 1, 2008 | 4 Comments

Society has somehow decided that simple is bad in many situations. There is a fight to give simplicity back its good name. Simplicity is a very sustainable and freeing existence for people to undertake.

Engaging simplicity can mean the little things become bigger and more relevant in your life. Smelling that rose, having an extra hour downtime just to sit and play with your children are the pay-offs of the simple life. The secret is re-training your brain away from the ’should do’ and ’should have’ mentality.

The Should Do and Should Have Mentality

Why should you be doing X? Why do you need to have Y? In part it’s your survival instinct. It’s also guilt and reward. Whenever you fall for the ’shoulds’ it is usually reward related. A satiated feeling, desires fulfilled and the like. Your past experiences are also feeding your thinking. These often relate to survival instincts. Survival in this new world though, not the life threatening kind. All of those thoughts are about the past, not the present, not right now.

‘Should have’ and ’should do’ have costs. Apart from complexity in life, they bring more to deal with, to move, clean and lose. Then there is the big one, the cost to the environment and to your quality of life when you fill it with stuff. Stuff can give you satiated feelings. The getting of stuff feels good, but it wanes. New stuff feels old very quickly and that satiated feeling goes only to be replaced with things like guilt. Why did I buy that polo neck jumper? What was I thinking, what a waste of money. I can’t just throw it out, maybe I should give it to my friend. It can then become a burden such as storage, cleaning, lack of use, boredom. Think carefully before buying things. Having less stuff means you have less burdens down the track.

Simplicity has a bad name

Why has simplicity been given a bad name? Words like simpleton and descriptive phrases like ‘he’s a bit simple’ haven’t helped. There is a tendency to tie simplicity to stupidity. This has been born out of a form of intellectual and material elitism that society has somehow snuck into our characters in varying degrees (me included). Don’t be mistaken, complexity is good and so is simplicity. They each have their pros and cons for different situations.

image copyright 2008 Leah Maclean

Sea and Tree Changers

The sea/tree change revolution of recent years is a yearning for a simplicity in life. They are almost a manifestation of the human desire for simplicity that is within many people. They are fighting back, fighting for simplicities good name to return. The renouncing of the more complex lifestyle we wanted and created in earlier years of our lives.

Even simplicity has its negatives. The tree change can cost you proximity to family. Not having any stuff can cost you experiences. If I didn’t have my digital camera or my iPod I definitely wouldn’t be as happy about my life.

Stuff, Lots and Lots of Stuff

The trend towards a complex life in the last century is having its costs. The want for stuff to create experience and entertainment. Just buy what you need and the odd thing you want. Re-use, re-cycle and delay buying things when you can. I think this is about balance, about discerning purchases and decisions about the stuff in your life. If anything sings simplicity loudest to me its the phrase ‘quality not quantity’.

Thrift is a tool you can use to create a sustainable life and it also conveniently leads to less stuff and a simpler existence. Even if you have (or make) a lot of money in your career or business it doesn’t mean you should spend it. Give it away, enjoy the experience of helping others who need the money more or better still invest in philanthropic projects that recycles the money for use again and again.

Food Simplicity

I think one of my personal favourite experiences of simplicity is making pasta from scratch. I do this quite often with the kids. One egg and 100 grams of flour makes a pasta dough. The kids roll it through an old style pasta machine (you can buy them from most kitchenware shops very cheaply). This flattens the dough into sheets a bit like lasagna sheets and then a second run through a separate roller on the machine cuts the sheet into ribbons. Let them use blunt knives to cut the dough, roll it. Who needs all that play dough?

When you experience the simplicity of making food from the basics you are also being sustainable because you aren’t creating consumer pull for products like packaged pasta (and play dough machines). If you’re really keen you could even have some chickens in the backyard and cut the egg manufacturers out of the cycle.

This approach can be extended to your normal daily life. Changing you food style to a first principals approach is very rewarding. Experience what you eat, the taste, texture, smells - the whole food experience. A symptom of this approach is that you will buy less packaged foods and buy more fruit, veg and meat produce. When you cook from first principles you’ll notice you consume less packaging, the food tastes better, your fat intake may drop, the flavour of foods can become earthy and rustic. Food becomes an appreciation not a chore, it’s no longer about heating but about creating. Sustainability through simple, healthy, low carbon footprint ingredients.

Learning about simplicity from nature

Nature often demonstrates ways of existence the human species ignores. Nature is a contradiction. It is so extremely simple in many respects while at the same time being very complex. Simple strategies are enabled through complex bodily functions and in the context of a complex ecosystem. The lesson here is that just because society, the economy and life appears so complex you can create a simple life. After all animals remind us that life is really about making sure you eat, sleep and keep warm at its simplest survival level. Everything else is a bonus.

I don’t know where to start?

Don’t make it a project or a change, it’s unlikely to happen. The second you do that you will also find reasons not to make the change to a simpler life. Why not just keep living how you are and make better choices as you go. That’s all, just make better choices. Choose not to buy that extra pair of shoes. Choose to give someone a living plant as a gift instead of flowers which will be dead in a week. Choose to work a normal day and earn a little less.

The choice is yours all through your life and in my opinion it’s a simple one.

Posted by marc | Filed Under July 08, Sustainability Space 

Financial Freedom - through Simplicity

July 1, 2008 | 2 Comments

This months theme is “Simplicity” and by happenstance this is one of the four key financial issues to keep in mind we spoke about last month.

One aspect of our financial affairs we must achieve is a clear understanding of the structures we use and how things fit together. I don’t know about you but I like to keep things clear and simple. Often I resort to pictures to help me explain and understand financial structures. Even simple things can appear much clearer when you use pictures. Perhaps you could ask your accountant or adviser to help you document a structure diagram of the entities and arrangements you currently have in place. It might also double as a chance to review things so you can identify what might need looking at. Remember what we said last month, “be prepared to regularly review your financial arrangements, because nothing stays the same”.

So, let’s start with a mental picture of what your bank accounts look like. Are they all over the place like a “mad woman’s hair do” ( I wonder if the Editor will let that one through?) or are they small in number and clearly identified as to what they exist to achieve?

Each bank account should have an identifiable purpose unless you use the one-bank-account-fits-all approach. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you are good at record keeping when it comes time to compiling your tax arrangements at year end. Over the years I have seen a number of approaches, but always the best are based upon simplicity and a clear understanding of what has happened during the year.

If you have a number of investments and possibly borrowings in amongst your financial arrangements perhaps you could use a facility such as the one offered by St George Bank which allows each customer to have one overall account which then has a number (up to 10) sub accounts. These sub accounts can then be managed over the internet and assigned to particular arrangements so you have all the transactions for each area in the one account.

Perhaps you already use internet banking because it is an efficient and simple means of managing your bank accounts. In addition, a number of the banks have packages that require an annual fee but incorporate reduced or no fees on those accounts (including sub accounts). So check it out - you may just find a simpler method than you have now.

The last word on simplicity for this month is, remember the”bus” principle. “What’s that?” you ask. Well it is the principle that asks will someone be able to fathom my financial arrangements if I am hit by a bus tomorrow? Perhaps you should ask your “significant other” (is that the correct term these days?) to review with you what is in place and check that both of you understand it. If you don’t, ask you adviser to help explain and document what is in place.

So until next month, keep it simple!

Posted by grant | Filed Under July 08, Money Space 

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