People feel they are entitled to even the simplest thing, like a cell phone, a free refill, or free plastic bags at the grocery store. And big things too, like a job, a car, or social programs. It’s disheartening that consumption has become so rampant that the value of ownership has been completely lost.

In my quest to answer this question, I found a very logical geographic observation:

From STRATFOR Geopolitics of the US Part 2:
“As a result [of our abundant resources and natural transportation pathways], life for this dominant “Northern” culture got measurably better every single year for more than five generations. Americans became convinced that such a state of affairs — that things can, will and should improve every day — was normal. Americans came to believe that their wealth and security is a result of a Manifest Destiny that reflects something different about Americans compared to the rest of humanity. The sense is that Americans are somehow better — destined for greatness — rather than simply being very lucky to live where they do. It is an unbalanced and inaccurate belief, but it is at the root of American mania and arrogance.”

We are a culture attuned to constant growth, meaning constant consumption. When it goes our way it’s because “it’s our destiny, we are entitled to it”. When it doesn’t go our way, like the recent 2009 economic collapse, we get angry and blame the social programs we think we deserve because of our “manifest destiny”.

Something like social programs, or government assistance, such as the public library, welfare, and education are free because as a society we decided that we can, and should, help each other out. But they’re not free for anyone to do whatever they want, or be wasteful and irresponsibly consume, because that hurts everyone else.

Poor people stay poor because they make poor decisions, but think they are entitled to a better life. And rich people are just as guilty. Rich people think they are entitled to consume more goods and resources simply because they can afford to.

Here is my answer to where elitism stems from. Our sense of entitlement stems from our expectation of economic growth. In order to have economic growth we have to consume more and more very year. That means consumption is a good thing because consumption grows the economy. So we all compete with each other to get crap that we don’t need in order to feel better about ourselves this year than we did the year before.

Here is what to do about it. Figure out when enough is enough.

Doing a huge number of things doesn’t mean you are getting anything meaningful done. It’s easy to spend a day making lists and checking off tasks. But there is a difference between success and excellence.

I spent everyday from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed creating task lists, checking off items, and then creating more lists. The lists never ended. I eventually realized that they never would be completed. I would never check the last item off my list, and I was doing nothing more than making myself busy while actually achieving little. I was successful at work and earned promotions fast, but my effort was being squandered on creating bullets that looked good on a performance evaluation.

This isn’t what real success looked like and I knew it. I found myself needing solutions to problems that were created by the solutions to other perceived problems. It was time to give up doing and having more.

Have you ever had a job where you thought your position was so important that the place would fall apart without you? What happened when you actually did leave that job? Chances are someone else filled that position and operations continued as usual. How did that feel? After you put in all that time, stress and effort to see that what you were doing wasn’t all that special after all? Could you have accomplished the same job and been just as successful without causing yourself all the worry and stress?

I didn’t quit my job. I didn’t need to. I simply learned that I didn’t have to be addicted to achieving to be successful. First, I learned that life wasn’t about me. Second, I learned to be happy with what I already had.

Trying to measure your productivity by how many items you check off a list, or how many emails you send in a day, is like measuring the quality of a new house being built by how many times a hammer is swung in a day. Sure, you are doing stuff and keeping busy, but what are you really accomplishing? You don’t really even have to think about it to realize it’s just not reasonable.

Having limits in work and life is important to prevent burnout. Trying to do too much results in a lot of stuff getting done but nothing that is really meaningful. Instead, take some time to really focus on how you can make an impact, and then do it. If, like me, you’re in a job where you have a boss feeding you stuff you have to do but you have the ability to decide how it is accomplished, then figure out how you can do more with less. Eliminate the cruft and start simplifying.

Everyone has something at work where they wonder why it is done a certain way and know they can come up with a better way. Even if you work for yourself there is probably something you want to fix or do a better way. Do that. But whatever you do, stop swinging the hammer to make yourself tired and start making things better.

Soon I’ll tell you how I keep track of stuff I need to do.

Here are three simple tips that make a big impact on your computing experience. All of these tips are easy and won’t cost you a penny.

• Clear your desktop. That’s right, don’t have any icons, folders, shortcuts, links…anything on your desktop. It is a beautiful thing to be greeted by a clean, minimalist, desktop every time you sit down at your computer.
• Forget search and just organize. If you search your computer to find files then you need a new way to organize. It’s really quit simple to create and maintain a filing system on your computer. In fact, there is likely already one in place for you. Put your documents in the Documents folder, music in the Music folder, and pictures in the Pictures folder. You just have to simply do it.
• Remove redundancy. How many word processors do you have on your computer? What about browsers? Come on, I know you have at least two browsers on your computer. How many different ways can you take notes, search the web, track tasks or calendars, etc.? Here is the million-dollar tip in minimalist computing: get rid of anything that duplicates functionality. Figure out what word processor you want to use and uninstall the rest. Do this for every app you have. If you want to go ultra-hippie-minimalist you can switch to all cloud apps such as Google Docs and only have a browser installed.

I rarely feel overwhelmed because a follow a minimalist approach to life. But when I do reach that point where I feel stuck or overwhelmed, I follow a simple routine to clear my head. Many of these ideas were borrowed (ok, stolen) from Leo Babauta at Zen Habits. The main idea, however, is to stop what you are doing and either focus on something else, or do something you find relaxing. Use these ideas to formulate your own routine, so the next time you feel stressed you are already equipped to handle it effectively.

• Get some exercise in. I prefer to go for a short jog and then swim. I always feel renewed and refreshed after two miles on a trail and two hundred meters in the water. If running and swimming is not your thing then find out what is. Go for a simple walk and bring some weights, or jump on a bike for a spin. Whatever you choose to do, it needs to be engaging enough to distract your mind from thinking about whatever is causing your stress.
• Read something you find interesting. I prefer a book or the local newspaper. This gives me something to talk with people about.
• Connect with people. Talk to your Significant other, play with the kids, or call family.
• Boost your energy. I find making coffee and tea to be an enjoyable process, and I also get to enjoy the results. I use a French press for coffee. It tastes better and brewing is a much more involving process than putting some grinds into a filter. You’ll also notice you appreciate the coffee more because of the care you put into brewing it.

I like to take my time and do these things in order. Each activity feeds into the next and prepares me to come back and conquer whatever is causing my stress.

Spam is one of those meats that is highly underrated. It’s so versatile it should be held with as much respect as it’s pork derived brother, bacon. It never fails to completely satisfy my tastebuds.

Here are some spam musubi recipes, just to name a few, so you can try this local delicacy yourself. This instructional video will also help you put everything together for the right consistency.

It’s all a lie. You don’t have to purchase anything to show someone you love them. Buying a gift doesn’t even show your devotion. Commitment, trust, and understanding are signs of love and devotion. Love is not a transaction that can be shown by our possessions. Love can be shown only by our thoughts, actions, and intentions.

I’m not saying that gifts are not meaningful. But I am saying that gifts are not love. You cannot just simply buy gifts for someone and expect a meaningful relationship.

Let’s not be gimmiked into more consumerism. Control your actions and devote you time to someone to let them know you love them. Gifts should be conscious decisions and not meaningless obligation.

The same is true for activities we choose to participate in.  Spending too much time at work will cause suffering and separate you from certain joys in life.  Trying to multi-task will cause suffering and prevent you from focusing on the one project that can really make a difference.  Having too many hobbies will cause suffering and take you away from time with your family.

In this respect, personal happieness can never come from shopping, consuming, possessing things, or reckless ambition.  But it will come from quality relationships, love, creativity, and healthy habits.

1. Everything I have done has lead to here. And here I am. What is the point of having regrets? Sure, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but those mistakes are a part of me now. The only time you are allowed to have regrets is when you realize you have more of a past than you do of a future. And that is extremely rare.

2. Who cares what other people think. We spend too much time worrying about what other people think instead of just enjoying life. The only person you can control is yourself, and there is always someone who will think differently. So don’t worry about who likes coffee and who likes tea, just like what you like.

3. Jealousy is a waste of time. If you can stop caring what other people think of you, then you will be liberated from jealousy of them.

4. Love isn’t enough. We have to show people that we love them through our actions. Give your time and attention to things that you love.

5. Self control. Everything is okay to have in moderation. But self control is not a matter of discipline, it’s a matter of habit.

6. Purple looks good on everyone. It’s true.

7. Stuff won’t make you happy. It just takes more of your time away from you. It detracts from the important things in life.

8. Money won’t make you happy. But it will help you to help others. Use your money for the right things and not to consume more crap that you don’t need.

9. Many pursuits are fruitless. Multitasking at work and having multiple hobbies at home prevents us from being able to focus on what is really important. That one important project that could change the world. Our family time is exchanged for a hobby. Focus on what is really important to you and get rid of everything else.

10. Success is a matter of perspective. Some people think having $1 million dollars makes you successful. For some it’s a house. And still for some it’s a quality education, or a big family, or a corporate management job. Then there are people that want only what they need to get by, or just simple happiness. The only real success is the positive impact you have on other people, and the minimal impact you have on your environment, all while achieving your definition of success.

11. Some pleasures are guiltless. I’ve got a pair of Louis Vuitton sandals that I have had for six years now. I wear them almost everyday and they still look brand new. I’ll be able to keep them for at least another six years. As a minimalist, I buy only what I need and nothing more. But if I am going to buy one item and keep it for a long time, I am going to buy super-high quality.

12. Compassion is the purpose of life.  “There was a man, they called him mad. The more he gave, the more he had.” That famous quote by John Bunyan was repeated to me by my Mom many times growing up. It just took me a while to realize that Bunyan was right.

13. Memories trump souvenirs. We don’t really need souvenirs. It’s all a marketing gimmick. It gets you to buy more stuff that you don’t really need. Spend your money on the experience, not the stuff. People visit Hawai’i for the beach sand and crystal blue water, not for the “Haoli Boi” t-shirt. If you need the shirt to remind you of Hawai’i, just buy the shirt online and skip the trip. It’s cheaper and you get the same memory.

14. Everyone worships something. Everyone defines for themselves their own little piece of heaven on earth, and if only you had those things you would be happy. It’s just a lie that you have told yourself. Every time you get what you want, you decide you want something else. Figure out what you are giving all your time, money, and attention to, and make sure it’s worth it.

15. I haven’t figured it all out yet. Nobody has.

16. The most important skill to develop is habit creation. Good habits. You don’t have to be a disciplined person if you have good habits. You won’t need make lists to get things done if you have good habits. You’ll never have to go on a diet if you have good habits. Start small, very small, and go from there.

17. The things you own end up owning you. It’s a classic quote from Palhaniuk’s book “Fight Club”. Unchecked consumerism is dangerous. The more stuff you own, the more time you have to spend caring for that stuff, and it keeps costing more and taking more from you.

18. Bring the pain. If you are going to take the time to exercise make sure it is quality. Don’t be afraid to bring the pain on yourself. Otherwise your are just wasting your time, which is an entirely different unhealthy habit.

19. Food is the best medicine. If you are unhealthy it’s probably because your diet is unhealthy.

20. The past does not equal the future. You do not have to repeat it. But can’t change it or take it back. That’s why you have to focus on being present in every moment, and make conscious decisions on how you spend your time.

21. Don’t waste your time or allow it to be wasted. If a friend asks you for $50 many people would have to think about it before digging into their pocket. But if a friend asks you to spend an hour helping them you wouldn’t have to think twice about it. Time is our only limited resource. Whatever you use it for do it to the best of your ability.

22. Take responsibility. It’s easier to just admit something and take responsibility than to try to tap-dance around it. Once you start taking responsibility you’ll make less mistakes.

23. Risk, fail, adjust, repeat. That’s how we discover new things.

24. Live without limits. Do the things you never thought you would. It will make you a better person.

25. Kindness begins at home. How you act at home really will be the way you treat the rest of the world. Do you wake up and make your bed every morning? Do you put stuff back where it belongs when you are done with it? Do you say please and thank you? If you don’t take care of yourself and others around you at home, why would you do it anywhere else?

26. Sleep is not a luxury. In my line of work it is not unusual to go for tens of hours, and sometimes for up to several days without sleep. Rest should be nurtured and practiced and not seen as a  chore.

27. Never compromise on your needs. There are a few things in our life that we really do need. Food, clothes, shelter, love. Don’t compromise on these things. Don’t teach your kids that food comes from a box; get quality produce. You don’t need a massive wardrobe, just get a few quality things that meet your needs. Don’t live in a trailer so you can afford a really nice car. It’s not fair to your or your family or housemates. What you don’t need is the car. Lastly, if you are looking for love, then looks for it. Don’t take advantage of other people. If you have love, nurture it and make it the best.

28. Learn to let go. As you learn to let go of needing “stuff” you’ll also learn to let go of control. You can’t control everything, but you can control how you react to everything that happens in your life. Let go of that need to control and focus your energy and something important.

29. If you don’t tell someone, they won’t know. Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Say hello when you pass someone on the street. Let the people in your life know what’s up.

30. You already know the answer. There is nothing wrong with getting advice from someone, but there is no need to rely on someone else to make your decisions for you. You have to trust yourself that you know what to do, and do it.

It was exactly the opposite of what we do. Forrest took things slowly from the beginning. He took advantage of his limitations and was still able to achieve great things.

We start out running, making lists, rushing around the office or workplace, and rushing to and from work. We think to ourselves that if only we were at our destination we would be more productive. Forrest took life slow and just needed to run for a little bit. We take life too fast and we need to just walk for a while.

Rushing causes unnecessary problems in our lives. We kill people with our cars; driving too fast is the number one cause of car accidents. We make decisions hastily leading to mistakes. We aren’t mindful, we don’t use our full capacity, and we make mistakes because we didn’t see the problem coming right at us. We cause great harm to ourselves and others.

Rushing also causes stress on others. If I try to rush my family out the door so we won’t be late I cause unneeded stress on everyone. When I rush at work my coworkers feel more rushed themselves.

Take the time that Forrest took to run, and slow down. Drive slower, eat slower, be mindful, and think about the people around you. Living slower means removing the unecessary. Get rid of unnecessary plans and stop setting unnecessary goals. Use the added breathing room to add new, healthy habits. It takes time. But that is why we are walking.