Why do we live such complicated lives? How much of our troubles do we create for ourselves? Why do we sabotage our efforts? I ask myself these questions a lot. At work, at home, at church, basically everywhere we go we do things to pile more and more on our already overflowing plate of things to do. How much time do you spend sorting through and moving around things you really don't need in order to find what you do need? How much damaging negative stress does this create? Why do you do this to yourself again and again?
How do we get away from this? A principle that has had a profound effect on my life and allowed me to simplify things I do is
5-S
5 principles of simplification. 5 words beginning with S
Seiri (整理) Sort:
Go through everything in a drawer, on a shelf, in your car, anywhere. Pull it all out and divide it into 3 categories.
-Things you use and things add value to your life.
-Things you really don't need but someone else might.
-Trash.
This can be a difficult process. There are those items you might use down the road or something that has sentimental value. We will go into strategies for this situation another day. Get rid of everything you don't use at least once a month (seasonal items are a tricky exception). They aren't doing you any good in the basement or garage. If you have these items mixed in with the things you need and use they are making your life miserable. If it works, donate it to someone else to enjoy or sell it and make some money. Otherwise, IN THE TRASH!!!
Seiton (整頓) Set in Order:
Focuses on efficiency. The intent is to arrange the items in the way that makes your task easier and life more enjoyable. Things should be kept where they will be used.
-If it's used very regularly (hourly) have it visible in a designated spot.
-If it's used fairly often (daily) put it where you can get to it in 5 seconds.
-If it's used occasionally (weekly +) have it out of the way but know where it is.
A place for everything and everything in it's place (Like the laundry shelf).
Seisō (清掃) Shine:
Keep things clean as well as neat. At the end of, or during, each task the area is cleaned up and everything is restored to its place. This makes it easy to know what goes where and have confidence that everything is where it should be.
The key point is that maintaining cleanliness should be part of life, not an occasional drudgery you only do when things get too messy. If you keep things clean and like new they will last longer.
Seiketsu (清潔) Standardize:
Everyone knows exactly what his or her responsibilities are and how and when to do them. Standardized processes for daily tasks help us maintain order and keep the first 3 S's going.
Shitsuke (躾) Sustain:
Once the previous 4S's have been established, they become part of life. Maintain the focus on this new way of operating, and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old ways of doing things. However, when an issue arises such as a suggestion for improving a process, a new way to do something, a new tool or system, it should be considered.
Remember, CONTINUOUS Home Improvement is never final.
This takes practice and patience. Applying the principles of 5-S to your life will reduce and headaches and wasted time, allowing you to be more flexible and spontaneous. You will find getting rid of things you don't need and keeping a limited supply of those you do need will save you a ton of money. And, next time a friend or relative stops by you won't think "oh #$%! the house is a mess and we have nothing to feed them".
