Christians Do It Better

In this busy world, it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about yourself and your relationships. Learn how to simplify your life, create time for others, and nurture your relationships for a more fulfilling and less stressful life. The ideas below will get you started down the right path, whether it’s by freeing up your time, reducing the amount of stuff you have, or focusing on the important people in your life.

Free Up Your Time

The following list will help you find ways to free your time ranging from identifying important values to reducing the amount of yard work you have to do.

1. Make a list of goals. Prioritize and focus on one or two of the goals at a time. Spreading yourself thin is less productive and will not accomplish your goals as quickly.
2. Identify important values. Make a list of what is really important to you and decide what aspects of you life should require the most attention and which areas you should start giving less attention.
3. Say no. It’s okay not to agree to every social or volunteer opportunity that comes your way. Learn to say no so that you have more time for yourself and the people in your life.
4. Be efficient. Set up a schedule for your life so that you have a set time for chores, errands, and such. Marking out a set time for the essentials will leave you with more time for other things.
5. Reduce subscriptions. Think about the magazine and email subscriptions you have right now. Do you read all of them–or enjoy the time you spend reading them? If not, cut out the ones that take up your time.
6. Join less. Don’t keep joining organizations or groups that you aren’t enjoying or aren’t contributing to your life in a significant way. Quit the ones in which you aren’t actively involved.
7. Use auto pay. Sign up for auto pay for your bills and you won’t have to worry about sitting down to pay them all–and you won’t ever be late paying them.
8. Keep news to a minimum. If you are constantly checking the news sites, read more than one newspaper a day, or can’t turn off the TV news, then try reducing your news each day. Drop to one news source and check it one time a day.
9. Manage housework. Do laundry just once a week, hire a housekeeper, or ask for help from others living with you so that housework doesn’t take all your time. Also, doing small bits here and there can feel more manageable than having to devote several hours of your free time to cleaning.
10. Downsize your home. Many people will fill up whatever size house they are living in. Consider moving to a smaller house and eliminating some of your stuff. You will have less to clean, less maintenance, more time for living, and you may even save money.
11. Simplify dinner. Plan your meals for the week and buy the materials in advance so that when you arrive home from work, you can go straight to what you need to do for dinner. The time saved in wondering what to cook and tracking down the ingredients will add up quickly.
12. Minimize yard work. Xeriscaping and using organic lawn care products will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining your yard.

Manage Work Time

Almost everyone has to work and it takes up a huge amount of your day, so learn how you can manage your work time to free up time for other things in life.

13. Work a shorter day. If it’s okay with your boss, go in a little later or leave a little earlier. If you are productive at work and getting everything done in less time, then take advantage of the opportunity to work fewer hours.
14. Work through lunch. If you can’t work fewer hours, maybe you can work through lunch and leave an hour earlier. Pack a lunch and eat at your desk, then take advantage of leaving before commuter traffic starts and have an extra hour each day for the important things in your life.
15. Take a longer lunch. If you really need that time away in the middle of the day, then consider taking a longer lunch (if your boss agrees). Use the extra time to run errands or read a book.
16. Quit multitasking. For years multitasking has been a huge buzzword in the workplace. Studies now show that multitasking is less efficient than focusing on one task at a time.
17. Live near work. Add up your commute time each week and think about what you could do with that extra time. Move closer to work and you will not only have more time, but you will also eliminate the stress of the commute.
18. Use your commute wisely. If you have to commute, use the time doing something constructive. If you drive, listen to a podcast or an audio book. If you ride public transportation, then read a book or use the time for quiet meditation.
19. Reduce stress. If work has you stressed, this will leave you feeling tired and drained at the end of the day. Reduce your stress so you have time to enjoy life on the weekends and after work.
20. Check email a voice mail during work hours only. Constantly checking in with your work means you are not leaving it behind after hours.
21. Consider a career change. Because work is such a big part of your life, you should take a look at how your job is affecting your personal time. If your hours are unmanageable, the environment is unbearable, or you are just very unhappy, then consider a career change that will leave you feeling more fulfilled.
22. Don’t let work always come first. Even if you love your job, you need to let other parts of your life have your attention too. Leave work behind and let those important to you know that they hold as much a place in your life as work.

Manage Technology

While technology can undeniably make life easier, it can also drain your time. Learn how to use technology wisely, yet walk away from it so you can spend time with people instead of things.

23. Fewer communication tools. Four phones, two IM accounts, Twitter, a fax, and three email addresses may be too many. Reduce the number of ways you stay connected and you may discover you have more time for the important people and activities in your life.
24. Less TV. Turn off the TV after the specific shows you want to watch are over. Better yet, don’t turn on the TV at all. You may discover you enjoy taking a walk after dinner with your friend much more than watching TV.
25. Less web surfing. Many people use the Internet as a boredom cure or are just too accustomed to spending their time on the computer. Learn to manage your computer time or just walk away from your computer and find something to do with a friend instead.
26. Manage email. If you spend all day chained to your email, you may need to learn how to manage your addiction. Try just checking email two times a day for a while and see how much extra time you create.
27. Fewer online groups. If you are in forums, on listservs, and participating in several social networking sites, then you may want to consider reducing the number of your online groups and spend that time with people face-to-face.
28. Play fewer games. Video games can be a huge drain on your time. Give yourself a set amount of time you can play, then walk away. Setting a timer will help you stay on track.
29. Reduce RSS feeds. If keeping up with your feeds is stressing you, cut out the ones you don’t need and learn to read your feeds with less stress.
30. Leave the laptop behind. The convenience of a laptop is also the downfall of your free time. Become more involved with your life by shutting the laptop and joining in with your friends and family.
31. Don’t follow trends. Feeling like you always need the latest and greatest technology device is not only expensive, but wasteful for the environment and your time. If your cell phone works fine, don’t upgrade as soon as the newest version comes out. Wait until you really need a new one to upgrade.
32. Become aware of technology in your life. Spend one whole day without technology every now and then so you can realize the place technology has taken in your life. Realizing your dependence and knowing how to live without it can give you the ability for you to walk away when necessary.

Have Less Stuff

In this consumer-driven society, it can be very difficult to manage all the stuff in life. These suggestions will help you clear clutter, buy less, and learn how to look at advertisements.

33. Clear clutter. Give away the things you aren’t using anymore and recycle the old papers cluttering your life.
34. Clean out your wallet or purse. Get rid of that extra stuff you are carrying around and not using. Better yet, see if you can get by with a smaller version of what you are currently using.
35. Track expenses. Follow your spending habits for one or two months and see exactly where your money goes. Decide where you can cut back and where you are spending too freely.
36. Change buying habits. Learn to buy less and only buy what you need. Impulse buying fills your life with more stuff and drains your bank account.
37. Delay non-essential purchases. Give yourself an amount, whether it is $20 or $200, and any purchase over that amount must go on a waiting list for 30 days. After that time, if you still feel like you need the item, then buy it.
38. Stop receiving junk mail. Read this article for plenty of tips on reducing the junk coming in to your life.
39. Get rid of big stuff. If you are renting a storage unit for all your extra stuff or have big items like furniture or old appliances sitting around, think about whether you really need it all. Get rid of what you don’t need.
40. Clear out clothes. Look through your closets and think about what is hanging there. If you haven’t worn something in at least a year, then get it out of your closet and donate it to someone who can be using it.
41. Consider going no-car. It would be a big change, but see if you could live without a car. Reducing the cost of the car payment, fuel, insurance, and maintenance would reduce your stress and help your wallet and the environment.
42. Manage your papers. From mail to flyers to your children’s school work, paper can begin to pile up easily. Find a system to manage your paperwork so it doesn’t take over your life.
43. Organize your stuff. Having a set spot for your things reduces the amount of time you spend looking for items and keeps your home clean. Imagine never having to look for your keys again because they are always hanging in the same place.
44. Become immune to ads. Lots of people earn good money to create advertisements that make you want to buy stuff. Learn to look at advertisements for what they are and you will be less likely to buy unnecessary items.
45. Buy for the long term. If you have a choice between one item that costs less and will not last long and another item that costs a bit more but will last considerably longer, go for the second option. You will save money and time spent shopping, plus you will have less unusable stuff cluttering your house.

Make Time for Yourself

You will be no good to yourself or those important to you if you don’t take care of yourself. Follow these tips for making time for the things you enjoy in life.

46. Give yourself 10 minutes. Set aside 10 minutes every day that is just yours. Take a walk, read, or meditate–anything that gives you a little boost and some time of your own.
47. Take a vacation. Go someplace to relax and recharge yourself. Make sure you do this at least once every year.
48. Be alone. Learning to spend some time alone and in quiet gives you a chance to think through problems, consider what is important to you, and also gives you some important time to decompress from the day-to-day grind.
49. Wake up earlier. Give yourself an extra half hour in the morning before you start your day and you will discover you have time for some of the things you enjoy doing, whether it be reading the news, enjoying a peaceful cup of tea, or going for a run.
50. Enjoy nature. Whether you live in the city or the countryside, take some time to find a peaceful spot in a park, by a creek, or anywhere you can spend a few minutes appreciating the world around you.
51. Be creative. Find a way to spend time being creative by taking up a hobby such as drawing, knitting, dancing, skateboarding, or writing. Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, you may discover that with a little practice, you can tap into a whole new world of creativity.
52. Do nothing. In this busy world, it is easy to forget how to appreciate doing less. Learn how to slow yourself down and appreciate doing nothing for a while.
53. Buy season tickets. Whether baseball or opera is your thing, buy season tickets to what you love and you’ll be motivated to take that time for yourself during each event or performance.
54. Give up perfection. For those perfectionists, it can be difficult to let things go before they are exactly as they "should be." Don’t worry about perfect, just obtain good enough and find the time and freedom for other things in life.
55. Realize you aren’t the only capable one. Maybe you are the most capable person in your office or at home, but that doesn’t mean you are the only one who has to do the tasks at hand. Let some things go to other people–they will learn more and you will have more time.

Make Time for Others

Making time for others opens the door for strong relationships. Find out how to keep your relationships on track without sending yourself into overtime.

56. Choose who. Make conscious choices about the people with whom you spend time. Give less of your time and attention to those who are an emotional or monetary drain on you and spend that extra time with the people who matter.
57. Set dates. Don’t leave your friends with some nebulous "see you soon." Set a firm date for lunch, dinner, or a movie so you are sure to stay in touch with those who are important to you.
58. Keep your dates. Once you’ve set those dates, show up. If you are constantly breaking your dates with friends, they will stop making an effort to see you.
59. Create a network of friends. Introducing friends from your varying social circles will keep you involved with several friends at the same time and widen your social network as they create new friendships too.
60. Remain open to new friendships. Because you are happy with your current friends doesn’t mean you should stop trying to find new friends. As your life grows and evolves, you will want friendships that reflect those changes.
61. Connect with old friends. Don’t forget about those old friends who have been in your life for years. Just because you are no longer as close doesn’t mean your friendship is worth any less.
62. Do necessary activities together. If you are feeling pinched for time yet long to see your buddy, try combining elements like exercising together or running errands that you both need to accomplish.
63. Stay in contact. Even if you haven’t had a chance to get together recently, send a quick email or text message to let your friend know you are thinking about him.
64. Share a meal. You all have to eat, so why not do so together? Make plans for a regular breakfast, lunch, or dinner on a regular basis.
65. Remember important dates. Write birthdays on a calendar and keep track of any other important dates too. Remembering that October 16 was the day your friend lost his brother, you can be there for support whether he asks for it or not.

Appreciate Those in Your Life

Spending positive energy on those in your life provides strong relationships and takes much less energy than constantly having to make up for lost ground. Follow these suggestions for sharing the love.

66. Listen. Being a good listener is one of the most important gifts you can give to those in your life. Be truly interested in what they have to say, ask questions about their lives and feelings, and show you were listening by referencing what they had to say.
67. Substitute aggressive for assertive. Aggressive friends will put their own needs first and do whatever is necessary to make sure things go their way. This behavior will isolate you from your friends. Instead, learn to let your feelings and desires be known in a more flexible manner and accept that everything won’t always be just the way you want it to.
68. Be honest. Your friends and family deserve your honesty. From letting your sister know about the spinach in her teeth to telling your best friend that you don’t really care for mall walking as much as she does, don’t hide behind a lie for fear of hurting the friendship.
69. Laugh together. Spending quality time together in an environment that lets you kick back and laugh will strengthen your bond.
70. Swallow your pride. Whether you feel slighted by something your brother said or did or you have just lost touch with a friend over time, reaching out and talking about what happened shows you care.
71. Know how to apologize. Learn how to say you are sorry. When you have a fight or misunderstanding, admit that you played a part in what happened and that you want to make it right.
72. See their perspective. Finding empathy with others and seeing life from their perspective demonstrates to your friends that you care enough to try to understand their point of view.
73. Don’t betray a trust. If your friend has entrusted an important piece of information about herself, under no circumstances should you use that information against her or tell others what she held privately.
74. Accept others for who they are. No one is perfect and no friend will be perfect either. If your friend has one or two annoying qualities among a whole host of really great ones, then let the little things go.
75. Give praise. From a high five to a hug, letting those important to you know when they have done a good job is a great way to build your relationship.

Change Your Perspective

Sometimes all you need to do to find more time and energy is just get a shift in the way you look at things. These tips will help you take a brand new look at your life.

76. Find your calm. If you are flying off into a rage at the smallest provocation, you probably need to learn how to find your inner calmness. Not only will you feel better, but you will probably find you are not isolating those around you either.
77. Live deliberately. Become more aware of how you are living and the choices you make for your life. Slowing down, making conscious decisions, and not letting life happen to you will help you to both simplify and appreciate life more.
78. Think positively. The way you think about a situation has a powerful effect on its outcome. Learning to think positively will have effects on your quality of life as well as on your relationships.
79. Find the good in everyone. No person is all bad or all good. Learn to appreciate the good in everyone, especially if they are people you have a hard time feeling good about.
80. Know yourself. Take the time to really look at your values and beliefs. If you have been living a life less than what you believe in, then you have been spending wasted energy and time pursuing something false.
81. Find your passion. If you haven’t already, find your passion. Whether your passion becomes a new job or just a new hobby find what makes you so happy you can throw yourself into it.
82. Accept what you have. Some things in life are fundamentally unchangeable. If you have blue eyes, you can wear brown contacts, but your eyes are still blue. Accept the things you have in life and learn to appreciate what makes you the unique person you are.
83. Appreciate the small things. From a beautiful wildflower growing against a busy street curb to the kindness of a stranger, learning to appreciate the small things in life opens you up to the simplicity of joy every day.
84. Recognize and overcome fear. Learn to spot what fear looks like in yourself. Sometimes people spend so much energy avoiding things in life because they fear what may happen that they waste valuable time and energy for nothing.
85. Cheer yourself up. When life turns sour, find ways to bring yourself out of the slump. Life is too short for spending it in the doldrums.

Books for Inspiration

From learning how others simplified their lives and strengthened their relationships to finding out how to live a balanced life, these books will truly inspire you.

86. Walden. This classic by Henry David Thoreau is the ultimate inspiration for finding and embracing the simplicity in life.
87. Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter . Written by Elaine St. James, this is one of the most popular books for simplifying and finding your happiness.
88. The Simple Living Guide: A Sourcebook for Less Stressful, More Joyful Living. By Janet Luhrs, this book reminds the reader that simplicity is not just about money, but about life.
89. Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World. Linda Breen Pierce brings stories from regular people who describe their journey to living simply and finding fulfillment.
90. Living in Balance: A Dynamic Approach for Creating Harmony & Wholeness in a Chaotic World. Joel and Michelle Levey wrote this book, which is currently out of print, that helps you find the balance in your life and create a better way of living. Check your library or a used book store for this one.

Sites for Inspiration

For a daily dose of inspiration, check out these websites that are sure to give you plenty to think about.

91. Unclutterer. Get organized and manage all the extra stuff in your life with the great tips here.
92. Apartment Therapy. For getting by with less stuff and less space, but doing it with style, this site is unparalleled for inspiration.
93. The Happiness Project. Join the experiment as this woman tries out all the various tips for finding happiness. Wednesday is tip day, so be sure to check in then for great ideas on finding your happy place in life.
94. 43Folders. Get tips on making life easier, more productive, or just a little more fun with the ideas on this site.
95. Lifehacker. Find plenty of ideas on getting things done in your life–and getting them done well–here.
96. Stepcase Lifehack. This site offers suggestions for finding happiness to finding iPhone applications and everything in between.
97. Zen Habits. The dizzying assortment of articles on this site will help you find inspiration for your life in almost any category you can imagine from saving money to finding happiness to simplifying your life.
98. Dumb Little Man. Find "tips for life" on this site that updates weekly with suggestions for how to boost your productivity or just make life easier.
99. RealSimple. Get organized, live more simply, and save the Earth–all with the ideas from this website.
100. Everyday Simplicity. This blog is dedicated to providing ideas to help support a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity.
101. The Positivity Blog. Become inspired to stay positive and find the beauty in life with the posts on this uplifting blog.
102. Choosing Voluntary Simplicity. Follow this family as they have made a conscious decision to live life more simply and in a much more fulfilling way.

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