Tis’ the season! Black Friday, Cyber Monday, decorate the house, make the Christmas lists, plan the meals, synchronize calendars… The older I get the more of a miser I seem to become. To add insult to injury, I recently read a book on minimalism. Basically, we should all buy and own what we need. No more. No less. Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!
I have always been practical. My family hates trying to buy gifts for me. My lists are “boring”. Malls give me a rash. I realize my view isn’t everyone’s view. Nor is my view right and other’s wrong. But what I started to wonder is if I try to live more minimalistic, would I be a better leader?
Being a minimalist is not the same as being frugal or cheap. It is about buying and living with what you need. Each person’s needs are theirs. One answer doesn’t fit all. What you needed 10 years ago may not be what you need now. But why would people want to be more minimalistic? Here are a few of the benefits on minimalism:
- More time –It takes time to buy stuff. It takes time to use, maintain, clean and repair stuff.
- More money – Less you buy, the more you can save and/or give away.
- Less stress – Less you need to worry about maintaining, repairing, insuring, protecting and paying for. Also, a clean room with fewer items seems to bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
- Greener planet; more for others – Our planet has a finite number of resources. Consuming less of our planet’s resources make for a better future for others.
Historically, and globally, there are many leaders that would be considered minimalists. Our community is blessed to have many non-profit and civic leaders living as minimalists. This doesn’t seem as prevalent in Corporate America. Businesses exist to make money. How does minimalism apply to corporate leaders? Honestly, I don’t have an answer. However, here is the conclusion I came to for myself as a leader. I think if I have more time, more money to save and give away, less stress, treat our earth’s resources with respect, not be materialistic in my personal life, how could I not be a better leader at work? What do you think?
Enjoy the holidays with your families and friends. Help your children understand what is important.
