Habit #7: Simplify and Prioritize

Chances are your life is full, maybe too full.

It’s one reason why many are drawn to decluttering and minimalism. Deep down, we want to get rid of the clutter and focus on what really matters.

In this habit, we’re not going to add something for you to do. We’re going to try to help you lighten your load. We’re going to look for ways to simplify your life so that you can prioritize what matters most.

Habit #7 is designed to help you prepare to maintain the habits you’ve built as you look to the future.

Choose Your Actions

Choose one or more of the following:

• Create a list of distractions in your life.
• Delete distracting apps from your phone.
• Make a list of “most important activities” that you want to prioritize in your life.
• Consider quitting something that isn’t a priority in your life.

Suggested Resources

Books

• Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed and The Freedom of Simplicity both deal with simplicity and spiritual disciplines.
• I love the title of the book Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung, and the content of the book is good too. DeYoung aims to deal with the heart of our busyness issue, not just the symptoms.
• John Mark Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is timely and important. Comer describes what hurry does to our souls, and offers practical suggestions on how to slow and focus on abiding in Christ.
• Essentialism and Effortless are both books I’ve enjoyed. The first is about doing the right things; the second is about doing them in the right way.
• An Unhurried Life and An Unhurried Leader both offer counsel on how to slow to focus on what matters most.
• Bob Goff has written a helpful book called Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy.
• Cal Newport’s book Deep Work helps us beat distraction at work, and his book Digital Minimalism helps us rethink our use of technology.

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