The Answer is Simple

Ever call tech support for an issue and have the representative start asking you dumb question like: “is it turned on?”Or, “is it plugged in?”. There is a reason for these questions. They are trying to eliminate the simple issues. To many of us it may seem like tech support may not know what they are doing, but I am sure there is a percentage of folks who ask for assistance that have missed the obvious. Tech support simply tries to eliminate the simple questions first.

This method is called Occam’s Razor, a principle attributed to the 14th century logician William of Ockham. Occam’s Razor focuses on the Principle of Plurality (plurality should not be posited without necessity) and the Principle of Parsimony (it is pointless to do with more what is done with less). Basically: keep it simple.

In this day and age, we like to complicate the simple. We feel like the more explanation we give, the easier it is for someone to understand the point we’re trying to get across. But think about it- what information stands out as true to you? Something simple, or something complicated?

If you remember my superpower, I like things simple. When you over-embellish or over-think the solution, it can get lost in all the extra words, or it can get twisted and perceived into something that isn’t correct.

This weekend, try to avoid looking for overly complex solutions to a question or a problem and focus on what works given the current circumstances. The simplest answer is usually the right one.

“Keep it simple, when you get too complex you forget the obvious.”- Al McGuire

Have a great weekend,

Abbey and Vijay