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It may look like I'm standing in front of a large chalkboard, but I'm actually standing here in my kitchen, and what's behind me is an entire wall painted with chalkboard paint.

Now, when we first moved into this home, this had already been done, and now, since we've been living here, I don't think we will ever, ever go back. This is something we're certainly going to do in the next home that we move into.

Some of the advantages of having a wall that you can draw on, especially in a place like a kitchen or an eating area, somewhere where you're very frequently together as a family.

Here up top, you'll see we have the days of the week. My wife loves being able to have the weekly calendar out in front. We can see the activities, the events, places that we need to be.

Kids need some help with homework? Chalkboard wall—a great place to do some math and show some other examples. Kids just need a creative outlet? Let them draw on the walls. Chalkboard wall.

We struggled with a good place to have a shopping list where everyone can see it, everyone could contribute to it. Chalkboard wall—great solution.

So many different ways that you can make use of a chalkboard or a whiteboard wall. You can purchase paint at your local Home Depot or hardware store. Just another great, simple way to get those ideas out and see them in a very visible place.

Until next time, it's very simple.

You should take a nap.

Countless studies show that taking a nap will maximize your productivity.

But if that's the case, why don't more of us take naps?

I think the answer is simple.

We tend to correlate how much stuff we can get done by how long we work.

So we tell ourselves to push through the drowsiness and remain awake all day long.

The problem with this logic is our output is directly related to how much energy we have.

And if we don't have enough energy then it doesn't really matter how long we work for.

Increase Physical Energy

So here are 3 reasons why you should take a nap each and every day.

Number 1: Increased physical energy.

It is well documented that workplace productivity takes a big dive in the early afternoon. Taking a quick 15-minute nap will do you much better than reaching for a cup of coffee or a sugary snack. And of course, it's much better for your diet.

Number 2: Memory boost.

Think of this as a power-up for your brain. A short nap helps clear your mind of distractions which in turn increases your ability to retain information. It will also increase your alertness for the rest of the day.

Number 3: Refocusing power.

Just like stepping away from your desk can give you a better perspective on your work, taking a short nap can have the same effect, but on a larger scale. Not only can it open your mind to new ideas, but it will also reduce your feelings of stress or being overwhelmed.

So don't feel guilty about taking a nap. It's one of the best things you can do for your productivity and it's very simple.

If reading is food for your brain, I hope you're hungry. So many great non-fiction books over the past 5 years. But if I had to whittle them down to just 5, here are my recommendations.

Daring Greatly

At number 5: Daring Greatly. Now this book deals with something that we don't usually attribute to success, and that's vulnerability. But Dr. Brown shows us why fear and uncertainty are actually the birthplace of innovation and creativity.

Essentialism

At number 4: Essentialism. The disciplined pursuit of less. Now this book tackles a problem that most of us can relate with: being busy without actually being productive. Now being an essentialist doesn't mean getting more things done. It's about getting the right things done. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to do less but better in all areas of their life.

The One Thing

Number 3: The One Thing - The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results. This book highlights why it's so important that we focus our energy on what we really want. It's full of tools and questions that will help you cut through the clutter and determine what's most important to you. At number 2: The Power of Habit - Why we do what we do in life and business.

The Power of Habit

Our lives are made up of habits, both good and bad. But do you understand the anatomy of a habit? Do you understand how to change a negative one or start a good one? You need to pick up this book to learn how habits work. Not only to benefit yourself, but those you care most about.

Quiet

And lastly at number 1: Quiet - The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking. This book tackles one of the most stereotyped and misunderstood people: introverts. And whether you are more introverted or extroverted you need to read this book to become a better manager, a better friend, a better parent or just an overall better person. Quiet will permanently change the way you think about introverts.

Outro

So there you have it. My list of the top 5 books over the past 5 years. Did I miss something? What would be on your top 5? Be sure to let me know in the comments below. Until next time, it's very simple.

It's not difficult to waste time.

So I hope you're not wasting your time today.

I hope you're doing something important, something valuable with the 24 hours which you have been given.

What I love about the concept of time is that it's the great common denominator.

It puts us all on an equal playing field.

It doesn't matter how old you are.

It doesn't matter if you're male or female.

It doesn't matter what country you live in.

It doesn't matter what you do for a job.

You have just as much time today.

Neal has 24 hours, and I have 24 hours.

Your colleagues have just as much time as you.

Your competitors have just as much time as you do.

So what makes the difference?

How does someone succeed or how does someone get more out of their day than someone else?

Well, it comes down to making smart decisions, being wise with our time.

How can you do that?

Make a schedule.

Make a plan.

Parse out your to-do list between the things you should do and the things you could do.

Make sure that you're focused on the most important, the most value-added activities that you can today.

Think of great inventors of the past.

Think of Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, the Wright brothers, Steve Jobs.

Did they have extra hours in their day that others did not?

Of course not.

They had just as many hours in the day.

They had just as many days in the week as you do.

So do something special with it.

Do something amazing with the time which you have been given.

It's very simple.

life it moves pretty fast there's so much this throw nest every single day but life doesn't have to be difficult it's very simple is about focusing on the right things here you'll find ways to be more productive tips on how to get the most out of your day and ideas on how to reduce stress in your life it's a place to get away from the noise

and learn how to focus on what's most important whether it's a strategy to be more effective at work or a light pack for your home you'll find it right here and it's very simple life it moves pretty fast but it doesn't have to be difficult so subscribe for more videos it's very simple

we could all do with a better night's sleep right well here are my three keys to a great night's sleep number one stop

Stop Eating

eating two hours before bed you don't need any extra food no food no water before bedtime give your entire body a break including your stomach and your intestines number two

No Screens

no screens one hour before bedtime and when I say no screens I mean no phone no tablet no TV no desktop no nothing the blue light which comes from these screens stimulates our eyes which stimulates our minds and gives us trouble when we're trying to go to sleep so no screens before bedtime and number

Go to Bed at a Regular Time

three go to bed at a regular time your wake-up time is probably very very consistent so it's important to make sure that your bedtime is just as consistent set a goal set a time and commit to it go to bed at that time so

Conclusion

there you have it my three keys to getting a great night's sleep no food two hours before bedtime no screens one hour before bedtime and try to commit to a regular bedtime it's very simple you

It's not difficult to fail.

Therefore, I want you to fail today.

Actually, I want you to fail today and I want you to fail tomorrow.

Scratch that—I want you to fail today, tomorrow, and every single day of your life.

Why do I want you to fail?

Two reasons.

Number one: failure is how we learn.

Failure is how we learn any skill, any task, any job.

You didn't learn to walk because you just decided it was a good idea one morning.

You learned to walk because you had failed many, many times before.

You tripped, you stumbled, you probably nicked your chin on your parents' coffee table.

You learned to walk because of failure.

And the same can be said about almost any other thing in our lives.

You learned how to ride a bike because of failure.

You learned how to drive a car because of failure.

You learned how to do your current job or to become a parent because of failure.

In fact, if you're a parent, you probably know very well that you have failed every single day since you first became a parent.

And that's okay.

You're a successful parent because of your failure.

Number two: the reason why I want you to fail is because failure shows that we're trying.

Failure shows that we're not afraid to try something new, that we're not afraid to succeed.

You ask any successful person, ask anyone that you deem is a hero of yours, and they'll tell you that they're the sum of their failures.

They got to the position, or they got to the level where they're at, because they failed many, many times.

So fail to learn and fail to show that you're trying.

It's very simple.

Why is it "very simple"? I'm only a few videos into this channel, but I thought it was appropriate to share with you why I decided to start "It's Very Simple." Here's my story.

About three years ago, I found myself in a lineup at a local department store. I was in the returns and exchanges line, and yes, it was getting very close to the holidays. You could feel the tension in that lineup. People were upset, people were frustrated, many people glancing at their watches or their smartphones, checking to see what time it was. A lot of foot-tapping, a lot of that type of thing.

At the very front of the line, there was a woman who was growing more and more irate with her complaint or exchange—whatever she was trying to do with the customer associate. And as this was going on around me, I asked myself, why was I not feeling stressed out at that moment in time? Why was I feeling relatively calm? Was it because I just had a relatively easy Saturday that day? Was it the way I was brought up? Was it the parenting I received? Maybe it was just my personality, what I was blessed with at birth.

Now, there are many different factors as to how we view the world, but what it boiled down to for me is that I felt, more than almost anything else, it had to do with the way that I have chosen to live my life. I've specifically chosen to reduce distractions in my day-to-day living. I've tried to simplify the way I go about my work, the way I go about my relationships, the way I go about raising a family.

So, I wanted to create a community where I could hear from others: What types of things have they put into their life so that they can focus on what's most important? Whether that's family, whether that's career, whether that's faith, whether that's health—it doesn't matter. What types of things have you put into your life that have made your life that much more simple? And if you're looking for ways to find a more simple way of living, a way to live with less stress, well, you've found the right place.

Remember, it's very easy to make things difficult or complicated. What's challenging—what actually takes effort—is to keep things simple, to keep things easy or basic. That's what "It's Very Simple" is all about. Let's keep things simple so that we can get the most out of this life, so that we can get the most out of our careers, so that we can get the most out of our families.

Thanks so much for watching. If you'd like to see more videos, be sure to subscribe below. And if you have other questions or tips on simple living, leave them in the comments below—I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, it's very simple.

Countless studies show that taking a nap will maximize your productivity. But if that's the case, why don't more of us take naps? I think the answer is simple: We tend to correlate how much stuff we can get done with how long we work.

life it moves pretty fast there's so much this throw nest every single day but life doesn't have to be difficult it's very simple is about focusing on the right things here you'll find ways to be more productive tips on how to get the most out of your day and ideas on how to reduce stress in your life it's a place to get away from the noise

and learn how to focus on what's most important whether it's a strategy to be more effective at work or a light pack for your home you'll find it right here and it's very simple life it moves pretty fast but it doesn't have to be difficult so subscribe for more videos it's very simple

almost every team sport has a half time as a part of their game football basketball soccer and many others have a distinct break between the first and second half now the purpose of a half time is to give players an opportunity to rest themselves so they can come out strong in a second half it's a time to

Purpose of a Halftime

regroup with teammates it's a time to refuel bodies it's a time to listen to a

coach and strategize about how to ensure a win in the second half you will also

Players Retire

notice that at halftime players don't remain on the field or on the court no they remove themselves from the place of action and retire to a locker room well

Take a Halftime

today I want you to take a half time I want you to treat your day like a professional athlete I want you to be as strong as you can in your second half so

Second Half

don't eat your sandwich at your desk I want you to get up and move around can you eat your lunch somewhere else away from your place of work can you go for a

Power Nap

short walk to exercise not only your body but also your mind are you able to fit in a short power nap it'll do you much better than a cup of coffee will right after lunch treat your day like a professional athlete and take a half time when it comes to professional sports no one wants to be on the bench in the second half of the game no they want to be on the court they want to be on the field trying their best to bring

a win for their team so do the same in your work life and bring a win to your

team take a half time today it's very simple