Hi friends! I’m back today with some little nuggets of wisdom that I feel like I should share now, before we get fully underway with the new year. When I talk about contentedness, I do not fully mean in terms of learning or personal development. I believe that we should be reading, and learning as much as we can and pushing ourselves to higher standards. I mean in terms of tangible or material objects (again, not books).
In today’s world, with the availability of technology, we are consumed with social media, even drowning in it. On tv, we see ads, commercials and infomercials promising happiness if only you purchase their products. Influencers on social media are using products that makes you want to also use them. Through almost every aspect, we are told that if we purchase something, it will fulfill a certain need or curiosity and make us happy.
But does it? How many of those very products are sitting in your home, left, unused and taking up wasted space? Sure, you might find the thing useful or worthwhile for a little bit, at least until you get bored of it. The worst is when we talk ourselves into the purchase in the first place.
There are many things that I feel like I need or want. I am always looking online, at my favourite websites seeing if any new products have come in. As a matter of fact, I have products sitting in online carts right now, just waiting for me to buy them. I am not a minimalist - I like things, and I like having things. BUT…I have come to the point in my life where I know what is useful to me, what will get used and what won’t.
This year, I am doing a couple of things. First, it is one of my goals to go through my house and declutter things that no longer have a use. I usually do this every year, but this year, I am making it a priority and I am going to practice mindfulness while doing it. With each thing that I throw or give away, I am going to ask myself how much I spent on it, and how much use I got out of it. I don’t want to feel guilty - that is pointless, and I won’t keep “stuff” out of guilt either. This day forward, my heart has no room for guilt. But this process will teach me a lesson. Before I buy anything else, I’m going to reflect on it first, and ask myself why?
It ends up that I set a “No Spend Challenge” for January. I have never done that before in my life. It makes sense to do this in January, after the spending that happens in December. (Not all people will spend tons of money around Christmas, but if you have kids, you know what I mean!) It feels good to be more frugal in January, and to think about setting your budget, and your life back on track after the holidays. Every time you think about buying something, it automatically makes you re-think, no wait, I’m not spending anything this month. (Grocery and necessary items excluded). Sometimes I find that if I do that, I forget about wanting the items in question all together. Even if I don’t forget about them, I realize that perhaps I didn’t want them as much as I thought.
Now, how does this all relate to productivity? Well, in my case, I notice that I waste time browsing online. Every time I check my phone is basically a distraction, so when I work, (unless I’m expecting a phone call), I use my ‘Do Not Disturb’ Mode). The practice of not picking up your phone, allows you to concentrate better on the task at hand. Plus, distractions can lead to idle time. It takes your brain longer to get back on track, even when the distraction is no longer imminent. (Enter the Pomodoro technique, or the PowerHour). (I will have a blog coming soon detailing all of the task management systems and planning techniques I personally use for maximum productivity and efficiency in my life).
My work mostly revolves around planning, art and organization. I do have a lot of art and stationery supplies. That being said, challenging yourself to a no spend month, also challenges you to use what you have on hand. You might need to re-purpose something you already have, (i.e. use it in a new or different way).
Also, if you are busy at work, it keeps idle fingers out of the cookie jar. If you are truly busy, not only will you be away from your online carts, you won’t have time to think of anything except for work. This means of course, that you are getting things done and your productivity has improved!
If you are a stay at home parent, or otherwise unemployed and you want to challenge yourself to a “No Spend Month”, try to distract yourself. Find puzzles, crosswords, or books to lose yourself in. Focus on house work, purging & organizing or yard work - something that proves as a distraction and keeps you off your computer and/or phone. If you like going shopping in stores, try to stay home except for buying necessities.
Keep yourself busy in any way that you can - I promise if you do, your wallet will thank you and your productivity will improve!
Good luck!
SANDRA
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