Jason Gay wrote a great article in the Wall Street Journal on 5/29/14 titled How to Enjoy Yourself Running ‘Naked’. He quickly admitted that he doesn’t mean running naked literally. Instead, he means running without the technology tools that many runners use. He is leaving behind his watch, fitness wristband, heart-rate monitor, virtual coach app, headphones, and music. In his article, Gay quotes Olympic distance runner Lynn Jennings, who is a director of a running camp. Jennings says she requires her campers to ditch their technology while she is working with them. “I want them to get on the track and get the feel of what pace is.” Jennings continues “When you become dependent on technology for feedback, you’re losing what you are, which is an animal that runs.”
This article reminds me of one of the “compound benefit” strategies in my book The Joy of Financial Security. There are many strategies provided, but the one that parallels Jason Gay’s article is “Simplicity”. Simplifying applies to our finances as well as our personal lives (hence the term “compound benefits”). Simplifying our finances often includes consolidating investment accounts so they can be managed more efficiently going forward. This is an important step for determining whether the current investments are appropriate for the investor’s risk tolerance and goals. Simplifying can lead to clarity for taking the investments to the next level.
Simplifying our personal lives can take several forms. It may be purging our homes and offices of unnecessary clutter. (This is my personal mission for July and August. My husband has been warned). It can mean carefully scrutinizing our schedule to free up more time for exercise or to meet a friend for lunch. It often pertains to whittling down a “to do” list and eliminating some unnecessary tasks. At a macro level, it means focusing on our priorities and working to get off the “rat-race treadmill.”
Simplifying is one of those compound benefit strategies that provides immense rewards. Simplifying our finances helps guide us toward financial security. Simplifying our personal lives helps us honor our priorities. Eliminating clutter reduces stress, but it actually does much more. I am convinced that it frees up energy, allowing us to lead a healthier lifestyle, to laugh more, to spend more time with friends and family, to nurture our creativity, and to focus on gratitude. These are the things that actually make our lives rich. Who would have known that clearing out the clutter could lead to greater happiness? Try it, and please send me your feedback! I’ll report back on my clutter-free home and office by early September!