Often times the best solution (and right solution to a problem) is the simple one, but complex and complicated answers seem to be what is more accepted. For some, it seems a comfort for an answer to be complex. It makes them feel smarter, more accomplished, and it makes them feel that they are right.
Complex answers aren’t all that they are cracked up to be. A complex answer requires a complex execution. This is where a person loses heart or the strength to follow through. The task before them seems so daunting because it will take so much more of their time to execute.
In my experience, the simpler I make an action, the easier the action is to execute and therefore get the desired results. Let’s say I wanted to lose weight. I could join a weight loss program, look up complex diets, and figure out complex ratios that may or may not directly effect my weight. These are the complex answers to my problem or desired outcome. Here is the simple one. Lower my caloric intake, and increase my exercise regimen. Fewer calories taken in and more calories burned gets my desired result, loss of excess weight.
The same principle or value holds true in many situations. Want to get better grades? Study more and study effectively. Want to have more friends? Make it your goal to talk to one new person everyday and invite them out to do something. Want to have better relationships with your friends? Be nicer. Want to make more money? Work more. (Actually, that was a trick question. There are better ways to make money than working more hours at a mind-numbing, time-consuming job. More on that in the future.)
Don’t get caught up in the hooplah of “Well if I do this, then that, then maybe this will come along so I will have the opportunity to do this and. . .” Another way to think about it is to make a simple ratio for your desired result, and work that system. This kind of idea is often followed in sales. Let’s say you sell furniture. Start counting how many people it takes to talk to until you get someone to buy a piece of furniture. 20 people? Okay, you got your ratio. 20:1. Now you just have to up the people that you talk to, to up your furniture sales, to up your income. It’s that simple.
The Danger of Simplicity
While simple answers are usually best, they may not always be right. Some problems require a little more complexity in order to achieve a solution. BUT, the fact still stands that keeping it simple is the best policy.
While you may have heard all of this advice before, you may not have heard the following advice. Simplicity requires a lot of thought. In order to get your desired results, you must plan out the actions to take, not take actions blindly.
There is a 3 step process to obtaining simple answers:
- Desire for change
- Thinking stage
- Implementation of solution
The thinking part of the process must not be ignored, or you end up wasting your time pursuing a wrong or inefficient course of action.
Simplicity and Change
People grow and people change. That’s probably part of the reason that you are reading this right now. You want to learn how to change your life, and for the better. You want more out of life than you have right now, and you looking for answers and solutions. This change is a good thing. It keeps you progressing as a person.
Just as people change, so will your solutions to problems that you have right now. Something that makes sense to do now, and is a simple solution, may not be the best way to go about doing things later on. Example: It may be good to invest in the stock market, or a certain company for a period of time; but eventually you should withdraw that investment.
Changing solutions is normal. Changing solutions may even be a good thing. It at least means that you are thinking about solving your problem or fulfilling your desire in a more meaningful and efficient way. Don’t be afraid to change.
That being said, think long term. Ask yourself questions such as “Do I really want this? Is this going to help me in the long run? Will I want to do this forever? Is it worth the time involved? Is it doable?” By asking these questions now, you avoid the down the road bumps and failures, because you have successfully planned for these bumps and you have decided that it is worth it to keep pursuing your goal before you even physically start to pursue it.
I have found that thinking long term often times helps to realize what is really important to pursue, and what isn’t actually that important. Thinking this way has helped me tremendously. A personal example would be money. When I was younger I planned on pursuing a medical career in order to have money. Come to find out that I hate chemistry and biology. Now what? Later on, I realized that money is not a goal that should be pursued above all else. Sure, money is nice to have, but it doesn’t replace friendships, experiences, and true genuine love. Living abundantly may include money, but that is only a side goal. What happens when you die? You don’t take anything physical with you, do you? No, the only thing that you have are the personal experiences that you had when you were alive. Make sure to look ahead. Make sure what you want is actually worth going after.
Simply Simple
You may be thinking “Why, this is quite a long article about making things simple…” Very true. Let’s sum it up.
1. Desire for change
– This step is easy. You want something to be different. So you change it.
2. Thinking Stage
– How are you going to reach your goal? Is your goal worth reaching?
3. Implementation of plan
– Follow your simple plan until it works! Optimize your plan as you go along.
And for those times when all else fails, remember this motto: “keep it simple, stupid.” : )
