“When I was 16, I wanted more. When I was 24, I wanted even more than that. So, I worked harder, earned more, spent more, to have more, only to owe more. I was exhausted at the end of the day and tired when I woke up most mornings. I ate on the fly, fell behind, ran late and could never catch up. Sound familiar?” – Courtney Carver of Be More With Less

It is very easy to feel overwhelmed. We are constantly trying to do more, to have more, and to compete with everyone else around use. If you don’t want to feel this way then just decide not to be a player anymore.

1. Pause - Look around at what you already have. Is it enough? Do you really need one more thing to put in your house? Probably not. Make the decision to enjoy what you already have. Focus on one thing at a time and stop trying to multitask. It’s just not worth it. Spend more time with your family, show your kids new things to discover.

2. Learn to say no - When there is something that I want, I carefully considered how acquiring the new item will contribute to my life and to at least one other person. Then I put the item on a 30 days wait list. I’ve found that when I put something on the wait list the desire to own it usually goes away after about a week. If after 30 days I still want it, then I get it.

3. Put people before stuff - What is the point of having stuff if it is not doing anything for anybody? What about skills? How can you create and contribute to the lives of those around you for the better? Think about how you can use what you already have to help family, a friend, or a neighbor, and go do it.

4. Stop using a credit card - If it costs less than $100 I pay cash. Credit cards have their benefit in security and convenience, and they are essentially required for online shopping, but nothing makes you as visually aware that you are spending money as putting cash in another person’s hand. I like to get dollar coins from the bank and from post office stamp machines. They’re fun to spend and always put a smile on the other person’s face because they do not see them that often.

5. Be content - Someone will always make more money than you and have nicer things than you. Who cares? Comparison always puts the focus on the wrong person. The only person you can control is you. Just enjoy what you already have in life and be gratefull for it. Then decide what is really nescessary and get rid of the rest.