And yet the magazine is not that simple at all. It is many, many pages long, filled with tons of advertising and some articles. (I haven't counted it up but it feels like the ads outweigh the content by far.)
So, that's why I'm naming today
"Simple Day"
...because we all need a break sometimes.
"Simple Day"
...because we all need a break sometimes.
John C. Maxwell tells a story in his book "Developing the Leader Within You" about a young college student who changed her approach to life for the greater good. She called her newly developed life change "planned neglect".* She even attributes her rise to success as a concert violinist to it.
You see, she came to realize that it was going to take a serious investment of her time practicing violin in order to achieve her goal of reaching the top in the profession. Yet, she was finding that her habit of first making her bed in the morning, dusting, and basically cleaning up her apartment--then hurrying off to her class--was robbing her of valuable, quality time as an aspiring musician.
So, she gave herself permission to delay making the bed and other "essentials" in order to throw herself into becoming the best violinist possible. She didn't skip it; she simply put it off until later. Planned neglect! Don't you love it!
What can we abandon for a few hours, or even a day, to achieve "simple"? Are there some "good things" that are draining you of the energy you need to be your best? John C. Maxwell would say in such a case that "The good is the enemy of the best."
So, try it. Take some time off for a little "at home vacation". Regroup and revitalize. Read a book, go for a leisurely walk, take a nap. Take some time off. Drop your plans for a little while. Go "simple" and see how much better you feel!
BTW...Contrary to my quirk about the complicatedness of the magazine, I love Real Simple's website! It is easy to maneuver, beautifully illustrated and filled with great content. Worth every click! Check it out: Real Simple
"Developing the Leader Within You"
Books and Workbooks
*Maxwell, John C., Developing the Leader Within You, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993 pg28
I love Real Simple Magazine too... but, like you said 'it's complicated' Planned neglect for me would be to 'neglect' the computer first thing in the morning.
ReplyDeleteMy day usually starts with 2 cups of coffee, sitting & reading emails, facebook, blogs, etc... Depending on how involved I get in reading (which if I'm honest, is quite often) time gets away & it's later than I wanted to start a project.
Thanks for a different way to look at my time.
I agree with you about Real Simple magazine. I LOVE the concept, and I'm always attracted by the cover, but inside, well... As you say, too many ads. Plus, most of those "simple" or "simplifying" items in the articles are EXPENSIVE. UGH. I look and say, "Oh, isn't that clever/cute/neat/whatever" and then about fall over in shock at the price! It is fun to look at, but frustrating at the same time.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and interesting story. I really like this concept of planned neglect. I felt a little like my blog was starting to be more work than fun, so I decided to neglect all my blog hops and link ups that I participate in to focus on the parts of bloggint that I love. Now I do them every other week instead of every week, and things do seem simpler :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great reminder of what is important and for sharing it with us at Rub Some Dirt On It!