The Power of Simplicity

When I started writing my book, the best advice that I received from some of the best personal development experts in the world was - ‘Make it simple’.

Simple is a term that some people tend to associate with things that are plain or mundane. I believe that things that are simple can be enjoyed more, and should not be overlooked!

In my work as a coach and a mentor, I have always asked people to keep things simple, when it comes to personal and/or professional development. The reason for doing so is that some people tend to complicate things to a degree that what they are set out to achieve seems like an unachievable task!

Please allow me to share an example with you. In 2009, there was a client of mine who wanted some support in personal development. So, I started consulting with him on a weekly basis. During one of our sessions, he asked me about my routine of things that I do for my personal and professional development. So I took him through my list of activities regarding personal and professional development which includes listening to audio resources in my car while
I am driving (the mobile university, as coined by Zig Ziglar), picking up a book to read every morning, listening to webinars and teleconferences, subscribing to websites, talking to my mentors, learning from every day conversations.

To my client, this sounded overwhelming, and he thought that all this was too complicated. So, I assured him that things in life are as simple as we want them to be, or as complicated as we want them to be.

He was starting on the path of personal development, and I asked him to keep things very simple. I ascertained that he likes to listen more then he likes to read, so I suggested that he start listening to personal development resources.

My point was to start him off with something simple. During our next session, he advised me that he was really enjoying listening to personal development resources. Then he asked me what else he could do! I asked him to start applying what he was learning. I could tell by the look on his face, that he was expecting a response along the lines of “subscribe to self development websites or start attending teleconferences.”

You see, if you learn something, it is always good to apply it.

My goal was to start this gentleman on the path of personal development by applying only one word – simplicity!

The power of simplicity is amazing. Each time you set out to achieve a goal, look at it with eyes of simplicity, and the task ahead will look a lot more achievable.

One of the best ways to have more simplicity in your life it by gaining more clarity! Clarity leads to simplicity. Become absolutely clear on what you have to do in order to get a task completed. Break it down to finer details, instead of looking at it as one giant step.

In the case of my above-mentioned client, he gained clarity on what he had to do during the initial stages of being on the path of personal development. Initially, he did feel overwhelmed because he saw it as a giant step. Once he was able to break it down to finer details, he was able to maintain and enjoy the simplicity of it all.

Right at this point, please think of a goal that you have set! Then ask yourself:
“How can I simplify the process of achieving this goal?”
Please pause for a moment, and answer that question.

Remember to keep it simple!