Why Simpler Is Usually Better

The average human brain isn’t trained to perform memorization tricks in front of an audience.

So maybe we should alter our language and our powers of persuasion to accommodate the vast majority of us drones who are comfortable holding three concepts in our head at a time.

A simpler approach has inherent advantages over a complex one.

1)  Things with fewer moving parts have fewer ways to break down.

2)  A single, simple thought has a better chance of being repeated accurately than binder full of strategic plans.

3)  Our eyes and ears seek out the single element that contrasts against the background. A complex pattern tends to blend into the background.

4)  People get bored quickly.  The longer it takes to do something, the less likely it will get done right.

5)  Most of the meltdowns in recent years have been a result of complex arrangements that obscured the obvious problems of sub-prime mortgages, unrestrained corporate greed, ballooning government deficits, fighting wars against drugs and terror, and invading countries to save the world from weapons of mass destruction.

6)  Simple is usually less stressful.

Next time you turn a simple task into a complex one, take a step back and examine your goals and your motives.

If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll probably realize that the complexity isn’t as necessary as you think it is. Stop showing off and just get the job done.