{"id":1700,"date":"2017-11-04T10:40:08","date_gmt":"2017-11-04T10:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1700"},"modified":"2017-11-04T15:50:04","modified_gmt":"2017-11-04T15:50:04","slug":"six-ways-declutter-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1700","title":{"rendered":"Six Ways to Declutter Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clutter contaminates. We live in complex, confused, and complicated culture. Simplicity is calling our name. Cutting through the clutter welcomes a clear, calm, and compelling life. Decluttering is not an easy task and society (distraction) and science (entropy) will be our constant challengers. But, the result of decluttering is worth the effort and then some\u2014especially if you desire to move from pollution to prosperity. Here are seven steps.<\/p>\n

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  1. Get past your past<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You can\u2019t change your past. It has already happened. Your past is a historical event, yet it clutters your present reality like a bunch of old mail on a kitchen counter. Learn life lessons from your past. Don\u2019t linger.<\/p>\n

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    1. Connect without comparing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Comparing yourself to others steals your joy, encourages scarcity, and points your focus to the wrong person. Stop comparing yourself to others. Your comparisons aren\u2019t accurate anyway. Here is a better idea. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Here is another better idea. Connect to others. Use good people for support, inspiration, and encouragement.<\/p>\n

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      1. Learn to say \u201cno\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u201cNo\u201d is one of the most important words we can speak to declutter our lives. \u201cYes\u201d is a word that leads us to busyness. Busyness leads to a cluttered calendar. A cluttered calendar leads to stress, disappointment, fatigue, and anxiety. Say \u201cno\u201d to mediocre and average and pretty good things so that you can say \u201cyes\u201d to the best things.<\/p>\n

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        1. Focus on moments and not stuff<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Would you rather have cool stories to tell or lots of crap cluttering your closets? Invest in people and experiences–not material possessions.<\/p>\n

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          1. Be proactive in dealing with conflict<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Unresolved conflict wears us down. The tension. The uncertainty. You have to have the tough conversation sooner or later. Choose sooner. Approach the conversation knowing that relationships are more important than your need to be right. Listen to understand. Speak the truth. Practice patience and forgiveness.<\/p>\n

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            1. Focus on progress, not perfection<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Perfection is not attainable. The quest for perfection leaves a trail or tears that clutters our lives with feelings of hopelessness and failure. You aren\u2019t perfect. So stop trying to attain the unattainable. Focus on the next step. Concentrate on development. Celebrate your progress toward your challenging, yet achievable goals.<\/p>\n

              You will never reach a status in your life named decluttered. <\/em>Life will keep throwing clutter your way. But, don\u2019t let the clutter accumulate. Keep decluttering. Forgiving yourself and others. Connecting to people and God. Saying \u201cno\u201d to less important things. Living in the moment. Having the tough conversations. And concentrating on daily progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Clutter contaminates. We live in complex, confused, and complicated culture. Simplicity is calling our name. Cutting through the clutter welcomes a clear, calm, and compelling life. Decluttering is not an easy task and society (distraction) and science (entropy) will be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[190,114,191,85,120],"class_list":["post-1700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-formation","tag-clutter","tag-comparison","tag-conflict","tag-distraction","tag-focus"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n