Two Minutes Du Jour

My son asked me when today’s Two Minute Du Jour would post. I said I wasn’t sure what time because I hadn’t written today’s post yet—mostly because I have a lot of ideas but haven’t narrowed them down to which one to explore.

Half-joking but mostly serious, he suggested simplicity and offered the example of his nearly always eating the same breakfast, which he has done for years.

My other son chimed in on the conversation and said quite simply, “The topic is obvious.” He explained I should write about not having a topic solidified yet.

Most days, I operate from a calendar of topics and links and a set of rough drafts ready to (semi) polish and have a post scheduled for 8:06 a.m., a specific yet not hard-and-fast deadline.

The morning posts are becoming an engaging part of my routine. Like many commitments to oneself, setting time aside to honor them means there is a greater likelihood you’ll do just that. More than one reader reaches out if they haven’t seen a post by late morning, and I bask in the satisfaction that Two Minutes Du Jour is becoming a welcome part of their day.

So today, I’m combining two ideas: Simplicity is Obvious.

Let’s break that down. Start with a simple approach, no matter what is going on in your life. You can always add more complexity. Are you wrestling with a problem? Start by approaching it pragmatically.

For example, consider your morning routine. Instead of juggling multiple tasks, start with just one: making your bed. This simple act sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Another example is meal planning. Instead of stressing over elaborate recipes every day, simplify by rotating a few favorite dishes each week.

Tackling a large project can feel overwhelming. Break it down into smaller, manageable tasks and focus on one at a time. This simplifies the process and makes it less daunting. Soon, you’ll see progress instead of a looming list of unfinished tasks.

Overwhelm happens when we are overstimulated, feel stretched and stressed, or have too many options. Simplicity provides just enough structure to keep things calm while also having latitude and flexibility when you have the capacity or appetite for more. That’s obvious, right?

Two Links Du Jour:

The Four Laws of Simplicity and How to Apply Them to Life – Zen Habits

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