“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You know they’re never gonna keep me down…”
from Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
Today I remembered that success is more about the systems than about goals. Get ready for some philosophical minimalist stuff…
As we gain experience over time, we hope to be learning and growing and getting wisdom. I have started to notice the patterns in Life – maybe you have too. After enough seasons go by you begin to understand that life has one goal – to continue. But Life doesn’t go on because of the goal… it continues because it is a system. Life’s system is to experiment, learn, grow, and ultimately propagate.
OK, wow, so why am I getting so philosophical today? That’s pretty heavy for a simple blog about getting organized – why the deep thoughts about life and all?
the minimax philosophy
A goal is a fixed target. You hit it or you miss it. You succeed or you fail. A goal is the end of something by it’s very definition.
After stumbling last time I had a blinding flash of the obvious – I realized the minimax system is a reflection of the natural system of Life. It struck me that getting organized isn’t the end goal… it’s the result of a continuous process of renewal – just like life is about change, growth, and rebirth. So a little stumble is a reminder for why we do what we do. It reminds us why we commit to something and why we want to organize our stuff – continuously…
You can think about examples from your own life. What happens after you clean up something, fix something, or you organize a room? What happens next? …hint: it happens every single time…
If you’re a human being and alive then things get dirty again, things break again, and the room gets cluttered again. It’s an ongoing process. You can’t fight it because it’s is a force of nature – it’s how nature crates new things and how life evolves.
The natural order of the universe is creative chaos.
Instead of fighting the process, a better solution is to go with the flow, so to speak… acknowledge how the world works and work with it rather than against it. Channel the chaos to produce and create new things.
No one can take credit for inventing this idea, but many smart people have already noticed the pattern and written extensively about it. Steven Covey and Jordan Peterson are examples of the deep thinkers on this topic.
Understanding this pattern can help us tap into our creativity, maximize our productivity, and organize our stuff so we live a fulfilling and happier life. Fighting the pattern, like the minimalist fad does, is a fool’s errand. Following the minimalist dogma of reducing our worldly possessions to the bare minimum may lead to short term happiness or a sense of accomplishment, but it always leaves us empty because it goes against the natural order of Life.
The minimax philosophy works with that natural order, not against it.
With a minimax perspective you build a system that acknowledges the natural ebb and flow of stuff in your life. You use the stuff in your life to improve – you don’t throw everything away and pretend you don’t need stuff anymore. You use the stuff in your life to create. You produce value in your life with stuff. You have fun with your stuff.
building your minimax system
This blog is evolving into a dual purpose. First, it chronicles my personal journey to assimilate a huge amount of stuff and put the minimax system to the test. Second, it provides a forum to help other people who may be on a similar path with minimalism and struggling with the same issues the minimalist fad promotes in our lives.
The minimax system is personal. It’s not really ‘the’ minimax system – it’s ‘your’ minimax system. Following the philosophy, you will develop a system that works for you and your particular needs. Your system will evolve over time. You will continuously improve it and following it will bring you rewards beyond the promises of any minimalist fad.
Since everyone is unique, your system will grow up with you. It will be what you make of it. And just like a newborn, it will take time to develop and mature. The minimaxer has developed a series of checklists to guide you as you start on the minimax journey.
Keep in mind that you are starting on an adventure of discovery for yourself. Your system will reflect your life – your new life of creativity, productivity, and fulfillment. Your system may help you accomplish those goals you’ve set for yourself, but it’s much more than that. Your system will evolve as you grow and it will adapt to your success and make you more successful as you work with it.
The power of the minimax system is how simple it is – and how flexible it is. Minimax can work for anyone and everyone because it’s a process. Once you get the process started, the system will quickly become habit and this is a positive habit you want to develop.
Try out the checklists and share your results in the comments below.
getting it done
Remember your process, and minimax system, is going to be different from mine. It will share some similarities in the process, but the details will be yours. Another deep thinker in the area of getting things done is David Allen. Setting up your process and your minimax system to stay organized is like other methods to be successful and to get things done. (the minimaxer highly recommends “Getting Things Done” by David Allen)
OK, so back to getting things done… after stumbling the other day, I recalled the first step in the minimax system: just get started…
That’s what I did. It helped me put another dent in the pile of stuff in my garage. It also started some fresh thinking about how I use my space.
I also rediscovered my cool basement office – I really mean cool, because this summer it’s hot upstairs. Working from the basement is a great option when it’s hot out.
Wow, all that came from getting started after I stumbled in my resolve.