Book review: Simplify Your Life

eli Says:

July 11th, 2007, 10:04 am

I especially love the fact that it’s 100 tips/chapters, not 101. I know people like the symmetry of 101, but 100 is as even and simple as 100. Even pronouncing that extra one is inefficient.

I’m currently reading ‘Simplify Your Life’, since I finished ‘The Art of Happiness’ last night, which was also another great recommendation on your part. (for those who feel left out 10 books)

Grayson De Ritis Says:

July 11th, 2007, 10:18 am

Thanks for the recommendation, Leo. I look forward to picking it up for a good read.

Geoff R Says:

July 11th, 2007, 12:59 pm

Hey, It’s Geoff from Gearfire.net

I’m starting a GTD discussion over the benefits and drawbacks of writing everything down (referred to as a “brain dump” by some GTDers).

I started by posting my opinion over at http://www.gearfire.net/gtd-debate-writting-everything-down/

I’m tagging you to join, so if you are interested, please continue the meme!

Geoff

Gearfire.net

(p.s. I wanted to email this to you, but I could not find your contact link.)

Andy L Says:

July 11th, 2007, 14:02 pm

I own the first book but not the second; are the two different enough that it’s worth it to track down the second book?

Pookariah Says:

July 11th, 2007, 14:57 pm

Leo, I just wanted to say that I love your blog and read it everyday. My goals/interests fall right in line with yours. I had an overcomplicated life/career/home, and have spent the last 18 months reassessing my life and paring down. I’ve been happier ever since, poor too, but definitely happier. My marriage is better, and I feel that I make better parenting decisions too, all through simplifiying. Keep it going!

Leo Says:

July 11th, 2007, 15:53 pm

@Andy: The second is like a continuation of the first. I enjoyed it enough to recommend it as well, but as always, YMMV.

@Pookariah: Thanks for the wonderful comment! I’m glad if I’ve helped in any way. And congrats on your positive life changes!

@Geoff: Thanks for thinking of me. In my opinion, writing things down as you think of them simply gets them off your head — you don’t actually have to do them. :) I have one list for “capture” and then simplify it when it comes to my daily to-do list — because you’re right, it can get too complicated if we try to do everything.

Oneandonly Says:

July 11th, 2007, 19:44 pm

I have had the second book for years. It was one of the first I ever had on how to simplify your life and love it.

debbie Says:

July 11th, 2007, 21:25 pm

thanks, I just ordered both books - I’ve been looking for thought provoking reading for my upcoming vacation.

William Profet :: OneJobTwoSalaries.com Says:

July 12th, 2007, 2:53 am

Leo,

Thanks for the books review! I like them. Do you know if these books are available in e-book format. I’d like to buy them and download without waiting for the shipping.

Regards,
William

Isobel Says:

July 12th, 2007, 4:42 am

Having cancer has made me think about simplifying my life. Apart from clearing out clutter, e.g. books and clothes, I’ve also rid myself of people who were bad for me. Sounds hard, I know, but some folk are a bit like vampires, taking without giving: with others I felt like a human dustbin, someone for them to spill out all their problems and troubles to and looking for solutions from me. I’m lucky to have some very good friends who are supporting me; “losing” the others leaves me more time to spend with them.
Keep up the good blog, Leo. That’s one of the things I’m NOT going to clear out of my life.

Jeri Dansky Says:

July 12th, 2007, 5:13 am

Isobel: Those are wise choices you are making. My thoughts and best wishes are with you.

Leo: I stumbled upon her “Simplify Your Christmas” book a whle ago, and was quite impressed. Thanks for the push to read some more of her work.

Sarah Says:

July 12th, 2007, 8:31 am

Small point, but I’m quite bugged by lists of 10, 25, 100, and so on. They’re too improbable and hence suspicious: Which points did the author stretch or omit to fit our base 10 aesthetic? The lists (especially on this site!) are often really good anyway, but I wish we’d leave the numbers behind. I want to know that everyone point in the list deserves to be there. More creative titles are better anyway.

[Scientist climbing off the soapbox…]

My parents had a book around Uncomplicating Your Life, which I see now is out of print, that fascinated me when I was in elementary school. Don’t know where it is, so I can’t provide an update. It’s on how to unburden yourself psychologically from anxieties, bad relationships, unhelpful norms, and so on. It’s a great starting point for self-reflection.

Leo Says:

July 12th, 2007, 20:15 pm

@Sarah … I hear what you’re saying. To tell you the truth, I tend to like round numbers, but I don’t always do lists that way (see 42 exercise hacks, 16 ways to triple your workout effectiveness, 27 skills your child isn’t getting in school, and many more).

However, sometimes I drop things for the sake of round numbers. I might have a list of 14 things, and then I go and edit to just the 10 most important. I never try to stretch them out to make a round number.

I think you’re right, though … and I will start to do the number titles for my posts a lot less, though I probably will never get rid of them altogether. They encapsulate my lists well, and basically I’m a list person. I find they’re the best way to get my practical tips into a logical format, and it’s easier for people to scan through if they’re in a hurry.

Good discussion, and thanks for giving me a chance to share my thoughts!

Mike St. Pierre Says:

July 17th, 2007, 6:03 am

Hi Leo, good review! I also like St. James’ book “Simplify Your Work Life”.

Mike

Meredith Says:

July 19th, 2007, 16:54 pm

I randomly came across Simplify Your Life one day at Barnes and Noble. I purchased it after only a quick flip through, and it turned out to be one of the best books I’ve read in years!

I’ve been seriously implementing some of the book’s suggestions for a couple of months now, and I’m happy to report that the results of “decluttering” and paring down are wonderful, and practical!

–I’ve mercilessly axed my wardrobe by at least 60%, keeping ONLY the stuff I feel great in. This has cut down my laundry tremendously, saved me a lot of time getting ready in the morning (less clothes to decide among!), and, I’m always wearing something I love!
–I cut my stash of big, fluffy towels from ten to five. I live alone and don’t need any more than that per week. Best of all, they all fit in ONE load of laundry!
–Dishes: Down to only 4 plates, 4 saucers, 4 bowls. A few pots and pans, and a few misc containers and things. I tend to let used dishes pile up in the sink, and this forces me to keep everything washed! Again, pretty much everything fits in one dishwasher load.

Other things that have gotten the boot: the toaster, the electric can opener, the VCR (never use that old thing anymore), a small drugstore’s worth of beauty products, hair junk and makeup, an arsenal of household-cleaning chemicals (I try to use natural stuff now), books I’ve owned for ages and have never read, my old CD collection (only use the iPod/computer now), DVDS I never watch, and yes, even the nail polish.

I haven’t regretting getting rid of one single thing; In fact I find out that I rarely think about something once I throw it out. Less mess, less clutter surrounding me, less time spent cleaning, less “stuff” to worry about! I feel great! :)

If you haven’t read this book, definitely pick up a copy!

Sandeep Says:

July 22nd, 2007, 10:01 am

I read the book “Simplify Your Life ” over this weekend after I saw it on ur website. Its a good book for a simple perspective of things.

The book is good reading, quite simple to follow. This though looks similar to “Dont Sweat Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson . But the book by Richard Carlson is much better than this(though the topics are quite different)

I would recommend to read this book, but not buying & reading !!

cheers
sandeep