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#837: How to Simplify Your Life in 2026 — New Tips from Derek Sivers, Seth Godin, and Martha Beck

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#837: How to Simplify Your Life in 2026 — New Tips from Derek Sivers, Seth Godin, and Martha Beck

The Tim Ferriss Show

Nov 26
The Tim Ferriss Show

The Tim Ferriss Show

Nov 26
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

As we head into the new year, many of us feel like we’re drowning in invisible complexity. So I wanted to hit pause and ask a simple question: What are 1-3 decisions that could dramatically simplify my life in 2026? To explore that, I invited three close f...

Highlights

In a world increasingly defined by clutter and constant demands, stepping back to evaluate what truly matters can be a radical act. This conversation brings together three unique thinkers who have each carved out a philosophy of simplicity—not through incremental tweaks, but through bold, defining decisions that reshape the contours of daily life. Their insights reveal that simplification is less about subtraction and more about intentionality.
03:20
A single decision can solve many time-consuming problems.
04:20
Simplifying life involves quitting, firing, and letting go of parts of your identity
08:33
Take a 'no by default' approach, only saying 'yes' reluctantly when something is proven necessary
09:32
A simpler life brings deep happiness, peace of mind, and freedom
11:19
Be clear about who your work is for and ignore others
12:50
Being clear with yes and no eliminates unnecessary commitments.
15:00
Avoiding social media and unfulfilling gigs creates space for meaningful work
22:34
Something helped create a deep sense of meaning, purpose, and peace starting at age 29
22:46
True joy is a quiet release that relaxes muscles and deepens breathing.
24:25
Autoimmune illnesses went into remission after choosing joy over misery
28:20
The surgery brought an overwhelming joy that changed everything.

Chapters

Start.
00:00
Advice I’ve used to simplify my own life.
00:20
Enter Derek Sivers.
04:02
Simple is the opposite of complex — not just a synonym for “easy.”
04:17
Simplification #1: No subscriptions, contracts, or people depending on him.
07:19
Simplification #2: Programming with no external libraries or dependencies.
07:40
Simplification #3: Building a house from scratch in New Zealand.
08:30
Complex is a long-term trap. Simple is long-term freedom..
09:26
Enter Seth Godin.
10:32
Simplifying is hard work — if it were easy, you’d have already done it.
10:48
Clarity on “who it’s for”: Ignore everyone else, including one-star reviews.
11:17
Eliminate gray areas: Never miss a deadline, never go over budget. Stand by your commitments.
12:46
Reclaim time with personal boundaries: No meetings, no social media, no TV.
14:53
Simplifying one thing puts you on the hook to go deeper elsewhere.
16:57
Enter Martha Beck.
22:23
One decision that radically simplified her life.
22:29
At 29, chose to follow true joy — not dopamine hits, but deep peace.
22:44
The simple rule: Go toward joy, away from misery — no matter what.
24:15
How a near-death experience sparked this commitment.
28:20
Payoff: Autoimmune remission, purpose, wonderful relationships, home inside herself.
30:02

Transcript

Tim Ferriss: Hello, boys and girls, ladies and germs. This is Tim Ferriss. Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show. This time around, we have a different format from my normal long-form interviews. You can find 800 plus of those at tim.blog slas...