How to Simplify Anything

A big project for class. Studying for 5 finals in one week. Moving out of your dorm room in a weekend. It’s easy to look at any of these and become instantly overwhelmed. I don’t know about you, but when I become overwhelmed like this it can become paralyzing in a way. It feels like there is so much to do, so instead of starting and tackling things head on, I can procrastinate and avoid it all because I don’t even know where to begin. Scrolling on my phone or starting something completely unrelated to what I actually have to do seems so much easier!

We can’t necessarily stop the feeling of being overwhelmed at the onset of a large task ahead, but we can break the task into smaller, manageable pieces and help make our overwhelm less overwhelming. 

4 Steps to Simplify Anything

Try these steps to simplify any project or task you have coming up.

1. Assess: Figure out what’s most important. Take a look at what you have to tackle. What do you absolutely have to get done? These are your priorities. Write them down. 
2. Edit: Take out what’s not important. Look at the big picture. What else do you have going on? What can you get rid of for the next few days/weeks so that you can fully focus on your priorities? Write the emails. Cross off the things. Get rid of anything that is not relating directly to your priorities. You can always add these back in when your schedule allows.
3. Add in Simplicity: Build in some space. In your schedule, in your routine. Practice simplicity here. (Ideas here, here & here).
4. Begin: Just start. Take one step at a time. Break the project/paper/studying/planning into simple steps and do one at a time. Write a list and cross it off as you go if that is motivating. Give yourself a small reward at certain points in your progress. Whatever you need to stay motivated. But just starting is the hardest part. 

You can apply these steps to any type of project to help simplify it — from studying for finals to organizing your closet to applying for future jobs. Figure out what’s most important, take out what’s not, add in space for simplicity and begin!

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