For years, people have explained to me many a reasons for their lack of decent health, personal achievements, and physical actions. There have been excuses ranging from, “I just don’t have the energy,” to “I don’t have the time,” to “That sounds great but too difficult for me.” Trust me, the only people who have heard more excuses than me are personal trainers, doctors, teachers and psychiatrists. I have learned this lack of progress to fulfill life comes down to one phrase: Reduce Your Input, Increase Your Output.
Simplifying your life takes more than a Saturday afternoon. There needs to be a lifestyle change to minimalize that which all of us do not want and an attempt to maximize that which we do. By following the Reduce Your Input, Increase Your Output motto, an individual can decrease that which is not moving them a step closer to their goal and increase effort towards their dreams. This action is simple and straight forward.
Let me provide a few examples that you may be able to relate to in some fashion…
Let’s assume you are unhealthy and unfit. The excuses have been rolling off your tongue for years. However, the only thing that has changed is the increase of poor habits. The Reduce Your Input, Increase Your Output motto can apply here by reducing things such as fatty foods and television or other sedentary entertainment and increasing walking to your local farmers market and performing more exercise.
Another example…
Let’s assume you are financially unstable. The Reduce Your Input, Increase Your Output motto can apply by reducing your monthly bills, splurging, and entertainment expenses and increasing your monthly credit card payment to start “snowballing” that debt. A great resource to get help with this is Adam Baker of Man vs Debt’s Unautomate Your Finances.
These two examples provided are the ones that I think are extremely influential to our lives. The more we focus on these two major aspects to life, the more we can correct the stress and heartache they cause.
Simplifying your life can be difficult. I still struggle. But, if you adhere to the motto Reduce Your Input, Increase Your Output, decision making and progress will not be as tough and you will be a much happier person.
David Damron
The Minimalist Path
Click here to get a copy of PROJECT M-31: Simply Your Life in 31 Days
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