7 Ways You Can Lead a Simple, Happy Life

To have a fulfilling life doesn't mean you have to be non-stop busy.

learn more about Jenn Branstetter

By Jenn Branstetter

Shutterstock

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

I recently came back from a fantastic vacation with my husband and two children. Headed home, I reflected on what made this trip so fulfilling, and it became clear that vacation was wonderful because it was SIMPLE. We didn't have a host of external commitments -- work dinners, soccer games or plans with friends -- we just had each other.

Since coming home, I've been on a quest to simplify my life--to make it feel more like that vacation--without up and quitting my job and living on a beach. Though don't get me wrong, that's still on the table if I can find a way to get paid to surf or suddenly become independently wealthy.

Related: 4 Ways to Love the Job You Hate

Here are seven ways you can lead a more simple life:

1. Honestly assess yourself

Track where you spend your time and money for one week. Before you can make any change, you have to take stock of where you are and after one week, your calendar and credit card will give you a solid view of your priorities.

2. Determine your priorities

Decide for yourself what is valuable to you regardless of how much time you have spent on it historically. Stack rank your activities and financial commitments and make conscious choices about which you will prioritize. Your time is your most precious resource, guard it wisely.

3. Pick your five people

According to motivational speaker Jim Rohn, you are the composite of the five people you spend the most time with. Think about your family, friends and co-workers and ask yourself: "Who are those five people today?" Are those the people you want to be becoming more like? If not, make a change. Don't allow relationships of convenience to steal time from relationships of substance.

Related: 5 Reasons Not To Take Your Entrepreneur Self So Seriously

4. Make Your Default Answer 'no'

We live in the world of "yes" and when we are asked to do something our default answer is typically yes. Flip the paradigm and make your default answer "no," By starting with no you are forced to pause and really think about opportunities and how they align with your priorities and values.

5. Cook more

The act of cooking brings simplicity to your life, because it forces you to be home and to pay attention. Admittedly, I'm not a good cook and the process of meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking doesn't come naturally to me. I avoided it for as long as humanly possible. Now, I am learning to enjoy cooking because it creates distraction free time in my day, when I am truly present.

6. Schedule margin

To simplify your life, you must begin scheduling margin. Margin time is down time that gives you perspective, contentment and rest. Watch a TV show, read a book, take a long walk or a nap. We create so much of the chaos in our lives by not giving our body and mind time to rest. Margin time gives you perspective and renewed energy for the commitments you want to keep.

Related: 8 Reasons to Find Joy in Your Job

7. Celebrate simplicity

Our bodies are programmed to react to stimulus, so re-wiring ourselves to feel fulfilled with margin rather than activity is hard work. Reject the perspective that busy equates to meaningful or important. Rather, celebrate each time you say "no," schedule margin or intentionally seek simplicity. By recognizing your effort and progress, you will reinforce the behavior and find contentment in your simplified life.

Jenn Branstetter

Chief of Staff and Head of the Lowe’s Partnership at Porch.com

Jenn Branstetter is chief of staff and head of the Lowe’s Partnership at Porch.com where she is responsible for partner channel management to maintain and grow the relationship between Lowe’s and Porch. Jenn is also responsible for internal operations. Prior to Porch, Jenn spent over 10 years at Microsoft driving integrated marketing communications, global brand advertising campaigns and opening 30 Microsoft retail stores. 

 

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

The Dark Side of Pay Transparency — And What to Do If You Find Out You're Being Underpaid
Thinking of a Career Change? Here Are 4 Steps You Can Take to Get There.
A Founder Who Bootstrapped Her Jewelry Business With Just $1,000 Now Sees 7-Figure Revenue Because She Knew Something About Her Customers Nobody Else Did
Everything You Need to Know About Franchise Law
Collaboration

The Only Woman in the Room? That Was Me. Then I Built a Network of Career-Boosting Champions and Everything Changed.

There's an inspirational network of smart women and allies all around us. We just have to be smart about finding them. Here's how.

Starting a Business

How To Sell on Etsy in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to start selling your handmade goods online? This article outlines how to start and grow your business using Etsy.

Science & Technology

4 Reasons Low-Code Tools Will Never Replace Software Developers

While low-code tools have become a go-to solution for companies and businesses, they'll never replace developers. Here's why.

Business News

'Crying Northwestern Kid' Turned His Viral Fan Moment Into a Successful Harvard Admissions Essay. He Says the Experience Taught Him About Empathy.

Six years ago, Phillips was watching No. 8 Northwestern take on No. 1 Gonzaga during March Madness when he became a meme.