Earlier this month, I led a workshop called The Practice of Simple Living. The group of attendees were from many walks of life and came from all over the world. The one element they had in common was that they expressed that they wanted to explore ways to carve out more space (literally and figuratively) for the things that matter in their lives.

Once we got into the nitty gritty of the workshop, however, it became clear that not everyone knew what really matters to them. That may sound ridiculous, but I have witnessed it enough times to know that it's a common occurrence.

Typical answers to the "what really matters" question are: family, spirituality, and/or an altruistic activity. For most people, these are sincere intentions when they're named. When the discussion evolves to a deeper level, however, a good number of these people admit that spending every minute of their waking lives with their children and spouse is a disturbing concept.

If all the time, space, and resources were available to meet your needs, would you really want to eschew all of your career pursuits? Would you want to break off all relationships with people who aren't in your family? Would you really sit and meditate for two hours a day if your schedule permitted? These extremes aren't realistic for most people.

Sure, a few people might sincerely answer "yes" to the questions in the previous paragraph, but I am not one of them. I can't sit for more than an hour in silence a day meditating (many days less than that). I love working and my job because they're intellectually rewarding, and I love them best when they're complimented with relaxation and other pursuits. There are times when I need to go to lunch with friends or see a movie or take a vacation without my family. And, if I'm being really honest, the only face-to-face community service projects I enjoy doing are literacy and writing related. (I'll give resources to other projects, but I don't want to be on the ground donating my time to them.)

The more honest you are with yourself about why you want to clear clutter from your life, the more likely you will be to clear the clutter for good. Don't just visualize a perfect day, imagine a fulfilling life. Now, clear the clutter and start implementing this remarkable life that you desire.

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