8 Minimalist Concepts That Will Improve Your Life

8 minimalist concepts that will improve your life:

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

1. Simplify your finances

• Cancel unused subscriptions
• Automate your bills, savings, investments
• Pay off debt with the Avalanche Method (Google it)
• Budget with the 50/30/20 Rule
(50% Needs, 30% Wants, 20% Savings)

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

2. Choose practical materialism

Buy things that make you healthier, wealthier, or provide you free time.

It's called practical materialism:

Products that make a material difference in the quality of your life.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

3. Establish a home for every item

"Ensuring that each one of your belongings has its own spot is the only way to maintain a tidy and clutter-free home." —Marie Kondo

My advice:

1. List your most misplaced items (keys, wallet, etc.)
2. Standardize a home for these things today

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

4. Build a capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a limited number of clothing items—that can be mixed and matched effortlessly.

The benefit?

You'll reduce physical & mental clutter (i.e., the decision-making involved in getting dressed).

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

5. Follow the 1 In, 1 Out Rule

If you purchase one item, then donate, toss, or sell another.

Minimalism is a dual discipline:

Manage both inbound and outbound possessions to enjoy equilibrium.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

6. Use the 1% Rule to curb impulse buys

If the item is over 1% of your annual gross income, wait 3 days.

If you still want the item after 3 days, get it.

You'll often realize you don't actually want/need that thing.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

7. Hide triggers for bad habits

Consider each item in your living space (one by one) and ask:

"Is this prompting a good or bad habit?"

After that, it's time to hide, donate, or sell the items that prompt bad habits.

Be ruthless.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

8. Stay at inbox zero (3-21-0 Method)

Your digital environment is either producing clarity or complexity.

Choose clarity; follow the 3-21-0 Method:

• 3 email processing sessions daily
• 21 minutes per session
• 0 emails left (goal of inbox zero)

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

Why follow 3-21-0?

Batching.

The most successful people of the future will be those who can focus and go deep into their work.

Batching lets you limit distraction and protect non-batching times for valuable "deep work" activities.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

How to execute 3-21-0:

Block 3, 21-minute sessions on your calendar.

Practical times:

• 9:30-9:51 AM
• 1:00-1:21 PM
• 4:30- 4:51 PM

Avoid checking email outside these times (if possible). Kill notifications.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023

Those were 8 minimalist concepts for the win.

Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more threads on high-performance living.

— Ben Meer (@SystemSunday) April 15, 2023