The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life

Leo Babauta says that simplicity boils down to two steps: 1. Identify the essential. 2. Eliminate the rest. And in his recent book, The Power of Less, he takes these simple steps and invites those of us who "drink from a fire hose of information" to simultaneously discover simplicity and increase productivity. He recommends "setting limits to how much we consume and do...making the most of our time by focusing on the most important things, instead of everything." In this practical book, Babuata describes six principles (Set limitations, Choose the essential, Simplify, Focus, Create habits, and Start small) and then describes ways to put them into practice in all aspects of life (goals, tasks, time, email, internet, work space, health, and more). He takes the best of the GTD phenomenon, debunks the myths of multi-tasking, and shows a simple way to to find simplicity in all aspects of life. This is a book to read with a pen in hand as there are countless questions and quotes to note and remember. With a writing style that has proven true for thousands of blog readers (myself included), The Power of Less proves quite simply to be one of the best books on practical simplicity and productivity you will find.

This little book is not about giving up everything, but rather it is about keeping only what really matters--in things, in commitments, and in life. "Simplifying isn't meant to leave your life empty--it's meant to leave space in your life for what you really want to do..." Here is an easy to read book perfectly timed for the New Year. It is not just another book on dealing with clutter, but more of a how-to book on dealing with the realities of life today. Whether you want to learn another language, keep your desk in order, loose weight, or whatever, the author sets you on your way to actually accomplishing your goals. "...focus on doing less, but doing it more effectively and, in effect, accomplishing more while reducing stress." Check out the chapter headings: PART I: THE PRINCIPLES 1. Why Less is Powerful 2. The Art of Setting Limits 3. Choosing the Essential, and Simplifying 4. Simple Focus 5. Create New Habits, and the Power of Less Challenge 6. Start Small PART II: IN PRACTICE 7. Simple Goals and Projects 8. Simple Tasks 9. Simple Time Management 10. Simple Email 11. Simple Internet 12. Simple Filing 13. Simple Commitments 14. Simple Daily Routine 15. Declutter Your Work Space 16. Slow Down 17. Simple Health and Fitness 18. On Motivation

My copy of Leo Babauta's new book, Power of Less, The: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life, arrived Friday evening, and by late Friday I'd read it cover to cover. Now, on Sunday, I'm starting it again. It may be about "less", but is contains more than my brain could take in with a single read. Leo, the owner of the wildly popular ZenHabits blog, has written one of those classics that apply to both our business and personal lives. In brief, The Power of Less is a treatise on the small steps (see my blog post on the Kaizen way) we can take to simplify our lives and in the doing find far more joy and success than all of our manic behavior could produce. The book begins with Leo's own story of being an debt, overweight, smoking, workaholic who rarely saw his family. His life was chaotic and he never had time for the things and people he loves. (Sound familiar?) Then, he made the choice to simplify his life in small continuous ways; first he quit smoking by focusing all of his energy on that one goal. Then, he attacked other goals, one at a time, like becoming a runner, eating healthier, starting a successful blog, and getting out of debt. One by one the goals were met (and exceeded). Leo has run two marathons, has doubled his income, became a vegetarian, decluttered his home, lost 45 pounds, and spends quality time with his family. Today, Leo's blog is one of the top 50 blogs in the world, with more than two million readers a month. If that doesn't make you want to adopt his principles, nothing will! The Six Principles of Simple Productivity The Power of Less is divided into two sections; the first walks readers through the six principles of simple productivity: 1. Set limitations 2. Choose the essential 3. Simplify 4. Focus 5. Create habits 6. Start small Part II details practical tips for implementing the six principles in key areas including e-mail, health, time management, filing, Internet, and decluttering your work space. Simple Doesn't Mean Easy While the principles are simple, it doesn't necessarily mean they're easy to implement. Anyone who has started a new habit (like a diet) knows that for sure. However, with small continuous improvement, the principles are achievable. For example, Leo has weaned himself off e-mail to checking only twice a day. I probably check e-mail 100 times a day - - and just as a nutritionist wouldn't ask us to cut out every unhealthy food in one day, they would encourage us to cut-back. For me, that would mean (first) KNOWING how many times a day I check e-mail, and then (second) cutting back a little, then a little more, and then a little more. Until I reach a point that e-mail doesn't rule my existence. The Principle of Choosing the Essential While all of the principles serve as stepping stones to a life of more, the one that hangs me up the most is the principle of choosing the essential. And it's a bugaboo that's been with me life-long.

Ours is a world of excess. Most people complicate their lives while accumulating more of just about everything. Leo Babauta explodes the "more" myth with The Power of Less. He really does understand the concept of simplifying a life, as his blog, http://zenhabits.net has grown exponentially to be one of the leaders in the personal productivity field in the past two years. A look at his blog shows that his writing style is easy to get into and enjoy. The Power of Less is the same. You'll be engrossed in no time. And know this, Leo doesn't just write about his topic -- he lives it! The Power of Less will be a game changer -- a life changer -- for all who dig in and follow the plan.