Peoples lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do lists, errands, things we should do, things we could do, duties and obligations. No surprise then, that many of us feel we barely have time to do the things we have to do (or think we have to do), let alone spare time for fitting in anything extra.

Why do we insist on keeping ourselves so busy? We have trained ourselves to believe that to be busy improves our chances of success in this world. The no pain, no gain mentality. Also, our minds love to be active. For many high achieving types, taking mental time out is tantamount to laziness!

Being busy is not necessarily a bad thing often we accomplish a lot in our busy lives. But when we get to a point where the level of activity is running our lives, its time to take some action! Ask yourself:

Why do I choose to take on all the things I do?

Do I really understand what is driving these choices?

What are the things I cant do that I would like to, because I am too busy? - Enter the simplification process. It sounds deceptively easy but the reality is usually different. Its hard to let go of things that you have invested time, money and emotions into.

I suggest people look at 3 areas:

Firstly, stop doing things just stop

Pick 2 or 3 activities (like projects, committee memberships or DIY home activities) and decide not to do them. Thats the first big step.

Second, examine all the great ideas you have in your head

The things you keep thinking about that take up mental space like:

- financial goals that have yet to come true

- becoming a size ten

- winning the lottery

Youve done OK in your life without those things so far, and chances are that youll continue to survive. Give them up.

Third, reduce or eliminate your errands

These sneaky timewasters chew up a lot of physical and mental energy. If you havent done them, you are thinking about doing them, and once they are done, you often need to repeat them from month to month! With the technology around today, there are very few errands that need to take up time. Bill paying, shopping, buying presents all these things can be done in a fraction of your time on the internet, or can be outsourced.

The reality is if we have nothing better to do, well keep doing all those things we normally do the things that keep us busy. Simplify your life and make time to find those better things to do. Guaranteed, youll enjoy it.