Keep It Simple Stupid

[Denis3721]

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
-Leonardo da Vinci

Don’t make things more complex than they need to be. If you make things too complex you will quickly become frustrated and give up. Don’t turn 2 + 2 into a mind boggling algebraic trigonometric geometric problem!

It’s just like what Occam’s razor said, “…the simplest solution tends to be the best one.” But I think Peter Lynch summed it up best when he said, “Go for a business that any idiot can run - because sooner or later, any idiot probably is going to run it.”

That Peter Lynch, funny and smart! But he has a point! Simplicity is the key to succeeding in business and life. When you keep things simple, you keep things organized, when you keep things organized, you keep things easy, and when you keep things easy, you keep things running (i.e. more success, more money).

Personally I don’t know why people wish to make things more complex than they really are but I can assume it’s because they want to keep their job; and why not? Make a simple task like fixing a photocopier seem difficult and impossible to do and your manager will keep you around for sure!

But making things needlessly complex in life and business is doom! You’ll have to put on many hats and do so many different little jobs. And constantly making simple things complex is just a disaster waiting to happen. You need to manage your time and organize yourself for efficiency, so keep things as simple as possible.

Don’t think that because you’re spending more time on a complicated project that you’re doing better work. The only thing you’re doing is unnecessary work. You’re not being productive by making puzzles out of the everyday. So please keep things simple!

[symteksolutions]

Very interesting

[GuyBBY]

So true- great post!

I see too many people feel that every little thing MUST be done in order to do the next, when if you step back a second and look at the big picture, you will realize that "to each their own". If you are a huge corporation, then yes, you may need to take some very long and drawn out steps to keep things legal, financially sound, etc. However, if you are a YE with a website, don't waste so much time with ridiculous queries and reports and research etc. Do what you NEED and then be prepared to intelligently change and strategies with the process. Yes you need cash flow analysis, marketing research, a business plan and proper legal documents...but don't keep putting off DOING because you are researching/looking into it/asking around to 2000 people. That is a waste, you will lose momentum and motivation and simply say you "have a business" but only when there is an economically measured transaction between two parties is it considered a business...until then it is just LLC fees and many other forms to be filed every year.

Thanks for a great post!

Guy

[Lizzy_20]

Wow never really thought of that especially that part "spending more time on a complicated Project means your doing better work, your only doing unnecessary work. Better use my time wisely!!

[hugh009]

Nice post, Denis! After 34 years of a serial entrepreneurial career I have learned NOT to reinvent the wheel as often.

[Elishia]

I agree but I tend to be on the talkative side! Hard to keep it simple when I have so many things to say. I guess one day I will get tired and realize this.