Have you ever bought a software program to simplify your life only to give up on it because it’s too complicated to use?  There are many things that are supposed to “simplify” our lives, but when you stop to think about it, all they do is add a higher level of sophistication.  This was a frustrating concept to me for quite some time.

I recently finished my book “The Habit Driven Human”, and it is based on exactly what this article is about, simplifying the sophisticated.  Those of you who have read the book, (if not, you’re missing something very powerful) you see how simple I made the concept of achieving one’s goals.  I did not reinvent the wheel; all I did was take some solid fundamental principles of goal setting and rearranged them to simplify the concept. After reading my book, some have commented to me that they had never looked at goal setting from that angle before.  I think the reason no one has noticed my interpretation before was because we all tend to overlook the obvious, most simplistic methods because we have somehow been conditioned to associate simplicity with ineffectiveness.  As a matter of fact, I believe the concept of simplicity to be completely the opposite. (Remember K.I.S.S., Keep It Simple Stupid!)

I have begun moving in that direction of simplicity and I am making it sort of my mantra…

“Seek simplicity within the complication, because we tend to be more productive and creative in that state of mind.” – Gerry Ayers

I think everyone could benefit from this idea, by seeking ways to simplify by taking a step back and looking at our daily lives, and really take notice of how abstract many things really can be.  Chip and Dan Heath talk about the difference between concrete and abstract ideas and why concrete ideas become more “sticky” to people in their book “Made To Stick”.  They compare two concepts, the word truth and the painting of the Mona Lisa.  Below is a paraphrased concept from the book, “Made To Stick”.

When asked to think about the Mona Lisa, the actual painting pops into your head.  When someone asks you to think about the definition of the word Truth, you have to develop that abstract word into a series of past experiences and try to develop a solid picture in your mind to describe your interpretation of the word.  Which way seems easier to remember, more “sticky”, the painting or a definition of a word? 

So how do we make our world easier to manage? How do we simplify the over-complicated?

First, step back and get the whole picture, the forest if you will.  What is the gist of it?  Can you describe it in 10 words or less?  Forget about details, what is the general idea of it?

“You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.”- Albert Einstein

Next, once you have the general idea and can explain it to grandma, try to associate it with something you already have mastered.  (Think Mona Lisa)

Example:  For a long time, I used the SMART method of goal setting and would spend hours planning my goals out.  It was extremely sophisticated and any engineer would be proud of the level of detail it showed.  It was a work of art, something to marvel at, the problem was, fundamentally is sucked! It was not very functional as the shear level of complication would hinder its true purpose; accomplishing my goals.

After several failed attempts and growing frustrations with the SMART goal setting routine, I realized there had to be a better way.  The SMART method proved to be rather dumb in my eyes and then it dawned on me that the focus was on the “system” rather than the results the system needed to deliver.  I was focusing on the means to the end rather than on the end itself.

“Don’t get bogged down in busywork. Don’t get caught up in activity.  Focus on accomplishment. It doesn’t matter what you do as much as it matters what you get done.”-Larry Winget

That very shift in view point spawned a whole new outlook on things for me. I began to focus more on what I want, and what is the simplest way to get there!

Another example ties into an article I wrote some time ago: Waiting for the Perfect Time.  The idea behind this article is to first get started and then figure out the details later.  That is plain and simple, and is extremely effective.  Waiting to create a plan and make sure the time is perfect is abstract, there is nothing to grasp a hold of and take off running.  If I was still in the abstract “waiting” mindset I would have never accomplished the “28 day challenge”, or started my “14 week challenge” and I would have never written my book.  Waiting for the perfect time is sophisticated, abstract, and hard for your mind to grasp and in turn hinders progress.

My simple method to eliminate sophistication in your life:

1. Always focus on the end results, what is it you want to accomplish?
2. What is the one action you can take right now to get started?
3. Take that action right now.
4. Develop and perfect the plan that “grandma can understand” only after you get started.
5. The end is all that matters, how we get there doesn’t.

Thanks again.

Gerry

Hello everyone, I am proud to announce my Ebook – “The Habit Driven Human” is finally complete.  I have decided to keep the cost down because I really want everyone to have the opportunity to utilize this powerful book. Visit “The Habit Driven Human” or click the picture for more details.

Many people these days feel stuck in a rut.  They would love to be able to change their lives, but they don’t know how.

What if there was a way to do this?  A simple method that could change their lives.

There is, and it is quite simple.  By learning to control their minds to change their actions they could eliminate:

• Eliminate fear of the unknown
• Gain confidence in themselves
• Tune out the naysayers
• Stop sabotaging themselves

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