Our
life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify. - Henry David Thoreau,
Walden and Other Writings
Simplicity
is a great virtue but it requires hard work to achieve it and education to
appreciate it. And to make matters worse: complexity sells better. - Edsger
Wybe Dijkstra
During
the pandemic, has the reader tried to make things simple or complex based on
the situation we are encountering? Based
on research, the answer is probably to make things more complex. Why would we want to make something more
complex when simplicity would make our lives so much easier?
Shortly
after the author returned from Virginia Beach and was reminded of the
importance of simplicity while sitting on the beach, she heard a podcast called
Sophistication Sucks by Patrick Lencioni’s company the Table Group. As the author listened to the podcast, the
speaker’s comments were very meaningful and thought provoking.
In
the podcast, Lencioni talks about why people let complexity creep into
business. First, Lencioni said
developing complex ideas makes people feel smarter. Second, people want things simple. Usually they will devise a complex solution
to resolve a simple issue instead of devising a simple solution that is
difficult to implement.
So
why do we make things complex? Based on
an article by Don Norman titled Simplicity is “Highly Overrated”, he says product
designers treat simplicity as the greatest achievement; however, purchasers
believe that if the product is simple the purchase will not be what they
need. Purchasers usually err on the side
of complex versus simple.
Individuals
think the better option is the more complex option, but in reality, the simpler
option is usually better.
As
we strive to accomplish our dreams and goals, wouldn’t it be more sensical to
go with the simple solution instead of the complex one that will only
complicate life.
Simplicity is a key to avoiding
complication. Part of the definition of simplicity is 'not complex or
complicated; sincere’. – Joyce Meyer
ACTION: What
changes can you make in your professional and personal life to simplify it?
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