Clearing out the Clutter

In this current series, of which this is number 3, I am reflecting on the impact the book ‘Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ by John Mark Comer had on me during my recent sabbatical. He talks of four primary practices: a day of rest, silence and solitude, simplification, and slowing. This week I would like to focus on SIMPLIFY.

During my sabbatical, I moved house, which was an exciting experience on all fronts and especially trying to do something about eliminating hurry at the same time.

I found doing a weeklong pottery course during the height of it all a most rewarding time, even if the result would not win any prizes. Just me and a lump of clay and no innate artistic ability created a wonderful sense of being slow and keeping things simple while I focused on some quality output.

Comer uses the example of having fewer clothes in the book, simplifying the wardrobe. Whilst agreeing with the principal, I still think he may be trying to go too far, or maybe I need to understand more and think more about sustainability.

I realised in packing up our house and still dealing with the unpacking that we have to simplify our lives – too much of everything. Whilst we are reducing in some areas, we also seem to be gaining in others, so I doubt if, in reality, we have made a net reduction. And this disturbs me.

Before taking a sabbatical, I intended to write about collaboration on my return. I may still do something on that, but let me drop some thoughts on its relationship to simplify. The ideas are best related to the term FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Do we really need to attend that meeting or event, or are we afraid that we might miss out, not be seen, damage prospects, or not be listened to in the future? As a leader, do you expect people to attend meetings and sit there with little or no participation? Yes, for some people attending can be significant personal development but was that the intention of the invite? And don’t get me started on ‘CC’ and ‘Reply All’ culture in emails!

How can you simplify your life, personally and at work? How can you help colleagues simplify theirs? Reflect on that in the coming week, and you may surprise yourself with how well you can SIMPLIFY.