#KISS (Keep It Simple, Smartie)

“That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.” – Steve Jobs

Let’s face it…at times, life seems anything but simple! In actuality, shouldn’t we be striving for the simple? If you believe, as I do and as cited by Constantin Brancusi, “Simplicity is complexity resolved,” shouldn’t simple be our objective? Certainly, based on the countless number of tips and tricks out there to simplify your personal life – from eliminating clutter to simplifying relationships – it would seem that the majority agree. Many of these suggestions focus on taking the time to slow down, not getting distracted by the “small stuff,” while also truly appreciating the important things. But what about in our professional life? Do similar approaches apply?

The numbers don’t lie…as of 2015, the average U.S. adult was on track to spend 12 hours and 4 minutes a day with major media. Of course mobile is king, 5 hours and 38 minutes a day is spent with digital media.[1] According to a separate study, the top three countries that are always online include: Canada (43.5 hours/month), U.S. (35.3 hours/month) and the United Kingdom (32.3 hours/month).[2] In this crazy, nearly always connected world, how do we find time to disconnect so we can focus on simplifying?

If you’re a digital immigrant, you likely remember the days before tablets, smartphones, sensors and the mobile internet. How would you characterize those days? My guess is that one of the first words that pops into your mind is – simple. If you’re a digital native, you likely have no idea what this version of simple even is? But what should our 21st century version of simple now be, particularly since I doubt any of us would want to go back to the “dark ages.” And we would all, in our own way, acknowledge the improved quality of life and productivity we’ve benefited from with these technological innovations and advancements. Or not?  

This “always on” approach professionally and personally coupled with the ability to have everything you need/want (and don’t need/want for that matter) at your fingertips drives us naturally to overload and results in complexity. We keep adding more to our plates and to our plans…as do others both directly and indirectly. This usually takes us off track and we’re admittedly distracted, diluting our actions and causing us to forget or abandon our original goals and intentions. Would you agree that our environment now lends itself to even more complexity? Simplicity seems more elusive than ever...

So what is the simplicity we should strive for? Focus…Clarity…Priority…Action…Outcomes…Positive Impact? What else?

I find that my quest for simplicity involves establishing boundaries. Whether it’s resisting the urge to multi-task (which is complexity embodied), or keeping my devices out of sight when I’m engaged in a meeting or conversation (to this day, I’m still amazed by the number of people who “talk to you” while glued to their screen, clearly involved in some other action…). Or, just “simply” scheduling time aside to focus, prioritize, simplify. No doubt the “whats” and “hows” of these boundaries are very personal.

I had a boss once who instituted “No Email Tuesday” (this wasn’t in the dark ages, it was within the past decade). Seriously. It might sound goofy, but his intent was pure and the objective was simplicity. He wanted us to disconnect to reconnect. Is it more effective to build relationships in email or in a live conversation? Rhetorical question perhaps, but his edict, caused his organization to take pause and reflect. Would you set any simplicity boundaries? Do share.

This sounds easy enough – but have you ever tried it? We’ve heard about the benefits of “cleansing” the body, but have you ever thought about a “technology cleanse” – what do you think? As a parent of two teenagers, I know to them this would sound like heresy. But is it necessary to help us simplify? What do you think?  

And what do you think our customers expect? For sure one of the consistent themes I hear from clients of all sizes is their desire and need for simplicity. In fact, one of the key roles we play for our customers is as their simplifier – they look to us for integrated solutions not products or technologies – they look to us to simplify their complexity. They want us to leverage our expertise in their world on their terms in their language. Interesting how so much of simplicity has to do with communications doesn’t it? To simplify, we must communicate in a clear, concise and consistent way. Do you think simplicity sells? I do!

If you’ve ever had a writing coach or a speech coach, no doubt you’ve been told to focus on simplification for greater impact. Sound familiar? IMHO, I believe that each one of us has an opportunity to simplify the way we communicate, would you agree? Remember the old adage – KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Now we know that simplicity takes effort. And actually, simplicity is hard to achieve and takes smarts!

No matter your approach – strive to keep it simple. How do YOU declutter the complexities in YOUR life? #Simplify #KISS

[1] https://www.emarketer.com/Article/US-Adults-Spend-55-Hours-with-Video-Content-Each-Day/1012362

[2] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-countries-which-spend-the-greatest-amount-of-time-online.html