Simplicity is the path, not just the destination

This is a guest post from the Zen Habits network of blogs.

Simplicity, many people think,
is an end in itself
But they’re getting it backwards
Simplicity is the path, the means
It’s not a far off destination,
somewhere in the future
It’s right here, right now
It’s taking things one at a time
It’s asking simple questions
It’s taking simple actions
It’s doing it slowly
It’s considering and being conscious,
with everything

When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed
on the path to simplicity
Taking a complicated, frenzied path
to get there
Stop, consider, and choose
the simpler path
And take it slowly
And easily
And lovely

This post was originally published here: http://mnmlist.com/simplicity-is-the-path/. The Zen Habits network of blogs are uncopyrighted, which means that all claims on copyright have been released and the content has been put into the public domain. Subscribe to original blog feed.

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Todoodlist review: Technology is great. Pencils are better

I am a big fan of Zen to Done however, I’m aware that it may not suit everyone. Therefore, with this in mind Todoodlist might be more suitable?

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Todoodlist is a fun, easy-to-read, instant-download 97 page EBook about falling in love with paper, simplifying your life, and following your dreams.

About the author

Half geek, half new-age Luddite, Nick Cernis is a hardened web developer and self-confessed gadget junkie from the UK; an unlikely candidate to write a book about abandoning hard tech in favour of simple solutions.

As well as writing for Put Things Off, Nick is one-half of Goburo, a successful design company based in West Yorkshire.

A note from the author: why he wrote Todoodlist:

Three years ago I abandoned my PDA and returned to pencil and paper. I combined my experience on-line with traditional methods to create fun new ways to get things done with paper. Todoodlist shares my story and offers you the same secret of a simpler, happier life.

What’s in the book?

The eBook starts with Nick explaining that one day his PDA died and he started using a pencil and paper instead. From then on, he used a Pen and Pencil to organise his life and his daily tasks. So, underlying the strange name is a sound principle – simple, paper productivity systems are more effective than complex, computer-based ones.

The contents are split across three parts for easy reference:

1. Seven punchy, light-hearted essays exploring our complex lives that tackle the question: “why’s everything so complex, anyway?” Includes Zen Kitten in a Box and Parrots in Space.
2. Five fun, unmissable, paper-based systems that will change the way you look at pen and paper forever and help you simplify your life. (Don’t miss the story of how he ended up swapping my PDA for a banana!) Features the Todoodlist – a fun way to get things done on paper — and the Sudoku Calendar, another of the deliciously low-tech ideas he uses every day.
3. The five-step guide to reduce complexity in your life. Practical advice to help you live simply that you can put into practice and get results with today. Part three also includes the blueprint for launch, a beautifully simple, one-page printable list of questions to help you launch new projects faster and turn your pipe dreams into reality.

Todoodlist is a fun, practical PDF guide to help you embrace simplicity, rid your life of complexity, and discover new ways to be productive with paper.

Money-back guarantee

Nick offers a 30-day money back guarantee. In other words, if this approach doesn’t work for you then you have nothing to lose. No quibbles. No guilt-trips. Just a refund in full.

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Praise for Todoodlist

“Very possibly the most enjoyable book on productivity we will ever read in our lives.”

Taylor Lindstrom, MenWithPens

“Become friends with Nick now. Why? Because if he’s not a best-selling author in five years I’ll give you your money back myself.”

Naomi Dunford, IttyBiz

“Nick delivers. Part of his success has to do with his engaging, entertaining, and creative writing style — he really does keep you hooked.”

Charlie Gilkey, Productive Flourishing