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Tips and Tools for maintaining a simpler lifeFor the past few years, many of us have been on the 'go, go, go, get, get, get' treadmill - and 'having it all' has often simply meant 'doing it all. 'But now outside events have forced some of us to pause and ask: Is more better? Is busy is best? Is it all worth it - or is there a simpler, more satisfying way to live? What happened to the dreams and ambitions that once inspired us, filling us with excitement and happiness? At work and at home we've been so carried away with doing, having and achieving more, that we've left ourselves no time to stop and check on where we're heading and why we're going there. We've lost touch with what it is that gives our lives meaning, nurtures our unique talents and brings us true fulfilment. Maybe it's time to reconnect and to become reacquainted with our authentic selves. Through a series of integrated, enjoyable exercises, work/life balance experts Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw provide a map for the listener to embark on a journey to re-discovering genuine values, needs, desires and hopes, providing positive and well-defined goals, clearly marked destinations, a planned itinerary and regular signposts to keep the listener on track. Topics covered include: Why 'simple' is 'the new black' Establishing personal values Living with integrity Reconnecting with abandoned dreams and aspirations The six areas in which you can live a simpler life Writing your own fairy tale Bringing your life into balance Making your dreams a reality Quick and easy ideas to implement your simpler life - today!

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Mind

Body

Spirit

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Publié par	Creative Content
Date de parution	25 juillet 2009
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781906790318
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0150€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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The Lifestyle Lowdown: A Simpler Life
by Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw

THE LIFESTYLE LOWDOWN: A SIMPLER LIFE
First published in 2009 By Creative Content Ltd, Roxburghe House, Roxburghe House ,273-287 Regent Street, London, W1B 2HA. Copyright © 2009 Creative Content Ltd
The moral right of Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher nor be otherwise circulated in any form or binding or cover other than that in which it is published.
Typesetting by CPI Rowe Cover Design by Daniel at HCT Design
ISBN 978-1-906790-31-8
www.creativecontentdigital.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART 1 – Establishing Personal Values
PART 2 – Reconnecting with Dreams and Aspirations
PART 3 – Setting Goals
PART 4 – Achieving Goals
PART 5 – Keeping It Simple

Introduction

Welcome to ‘A Simpler Life’ – a new way of looking at how you really want to live, the person you really want to be and the way you really want to spend your precious time.

In recent years, both in the workplace and on the home front, we’ve all been so carried away with doing, having and achieving more, that we’ve left ourselves no time to stop and check on where we’re heading and why we’re going there. Now, it seems, outside events have forced us to pause and take stock; made us question whether more is better, whether busy is best; and whether, without losing our ambition or our need to achieve, there’s a more satisfying, simpler way to live.

The fact is, you can make choices between what really matters to you, and those things you’ve come to believe you ought to have, do or be. But to do that, you must know what it is that gives your life meaning, nurtures your unique talents and brings you true fulfillment. Reconnecting with your authentic values, needs, desires and hopes can help you discover what that is

It’s not necessarily easy, but it is - simple.

Simple is the new black. And here’s why you should try it on for size: Coping with a growing number of sometimes conflicting demands has well-documented, debilitating effects on your physical health, your psychological well-being; your ability to cope and your overall level of contentment and satisfaction. Do you feel under constant pressure at work and at home; with so much going on that you never quite manage to meet all your commitments and get yourself organized, let alone work out what would really make you happy? Then maybe it’s time to stop and assess the effects of your current lifestyle on your long term health and happiness and to think about what you really want out of life.

But do you know what it is that you really want?

Are you sure that you’re the same person, with the same beliefs and aspirations, that you once were? Your personal values are deep-seated and strong, but they can and do evolve over time. Identifying the values that make you the person you are today determines what you want to focus on in the future.

What childhood dreams and adolescent aspirations have you abandoned as expectations and pressures gathered momentum and set you on a course directed more by outside forces than your own needs and wishes? Returning to those dreams that once meant so much to you will help you to appreciate those you’ve fulfilled already, and to realize how your remaining deep desires can still find expression in a simpler life.

You’ll need a map for this journey to your Simpler Life. Positive and well-defined goals give you clearly marked destinations, a planned itinerary and regular signposts to keep you on track, while the internal compass of your core values constantly points you to your true destination.

So coming up, we have an integrated and enjoyable series of exercises, some of which will involve nothing more than closing your eyes and recalling times, places and feelings. Others will require paper and pen – and later on, a diary or PC-based organizer. You can choose to read this book all the way through and then return to individual exercises at your own pace; or you can sit down right now with the equipment we suggest, ready to launch yourself into a refreshing revision of your life.

It’s really very simple.

Let’s begin..

Part 1: Establishing Personal Values

When we talk about living a simpler, more authentic life, what exactly does that mean? Does it mean giving up things that we have and do?

The truth is, a simpler life is not so much about giving things up, but rather about recognizing the importance of the personal values upon which our lives are based. Only when we understand what these values are and what they mean to us, will we be in a position to give something up or to do something differently that will lead to living in a simpler, more authentic way.

What do we mean by personal values – sometimes called Core Values? Whether we realize it or not, the foundations of a life are built upon values that have been created from childhood on: by our families and communities (by teaching and by example); through our interactions and relationships; experiences at work and play. Personal values are deeply held beliefs or attitudes which are our convictions, our standards and our ethics all rolled into one. Some of them stay with us for our entire life; others are formed at a later stage and may replace ones which are no longer relevant to us.

When we say of someone, "He's a family man", "She's power hungry" or "They’re courageous", we’re reflecting what we believe to be among a person’s most powerful priorities.

Knowing our personal values is important, because these values assert a profound influence on the course of our lives. Without them we would be lost. They give meaning to our lives, as well as direction. If we know what drives us, it becomes easier to follow a clear set of guidelines for our choices and actions. We’ll be less likely to be confused, to take the easy way out, or to chase after short-term gains at the expense of our long-term goals. Knowing what our core values are makes it easier to identify people, places, and experiences that support our authentic way of living. Knowing what our values are makes it easier to live with integrity. Integrity, in this case, means completeness - being a whole person. Being true to yourself. Being authentic and living an authentic life.

When too much is being asked of you, when you seem to be on the wrong track, when life seems too crowded, too busy and there’s not enough time to sort through it all, knowing what your values are is like having a sat nav to direct you through the chaos to where you want to be.

Values guide you - it's that simple.

So, what are your values?

Some will have been instilled in you as a child and will remain with you your whole life; others will change and develop with your experience and understanding of the world. You may continue to hold dear the beliefs and values of your parents, or you may reject some because they don’t align with the adult you have become. When you’re young, you might prize values like Love, Fun and Freedom, above all others. In the early stages of your career, Education, Success and Challenge could rank higher for you, whereas later on Family, Financial Security and Service might be at the top of your list. Some values will change as you mature – that’s why it’s important to keep checking in with yourself.

Other commonly held values are Achievement, Adventure and Affection; Competitiveness, Co-operation and Creativity; Fame, Freedom and Friendship; Health, Wealth and Harmony; Leadership, Loyalty and Learning; Pleasure, Prestige and Self-respect; Security, Spirituality and Wisdom. All of these can be broken down into more explicit values – so learning could be a thirst for knowledge, belief in education or love of teaching… Values are any attitudes or beliefs that have strong meaning for you.

Write down a list of beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that are important to you. Make it as long as you like, covering anything and everything that occurs to you.