Ambassador of Possibility

Less is More (money, time, clarity, sleep etc…)

True genius is exemplified in simplicity.   I read a great article from FastCompany.com  about the legendary Steve Jobs that proves this point (This excerpt is regarding his comments to a team working to develop a new DVD burning program):

[We] brought [in] page after page of prototype screen shots showing the new program’s various windows and menu options, along with paragraphs of documentation describing how the app would work.

“Then Steve comes in,” Evangelist recalls. “He doesn’t look at any of our work. He picks up a marker and goes over to the whiteboard. He draws a rectangle. ‘Here’s the new application,’ he says. ‘It’s got one window. You drag your video into the window. Then you click the button that says burn. That’s it. That’s what we’re going to make.’ “

This article is about why Apple has become such a powerful company, (#2 in the nation behind Exxon Mobil, according to this article) and it cites the main reason for its monumental success as having a long term plan.  Steve Jobs is a man who knows what he wants, (and what the wants consumer too) and focuses on that one thing until he gets it.  His laser focus is driven by a very simple principle: Everyone knows what the plan is.

Jobs and his team are able to focus on one task, it simplifies their jobs, and enables them to accomplish amazing things and execute an immense level of detail.

Steve Jobs isn’t the only one who uses simplicity as a powerful vehicle to move forward, so does a great friend of mine who lives in Japan.  He focused all of his energy into one project and he was eventually able to sell it for over 600 million dollars.  Less is more!

The same principles that made both Apple and my friend succeed will work for you too.  There is no reason that you can’t have powerful simplicity in your life too.  Simplicity takes focus and commitment, but simplicity also gives great rewards. 

Each day, write down the top ten things that you want to focus on doing.  This act will simplify your day, and allow you to focus on the task at hand.  If you feel like you are cleaning too much, clear out the extra junk and donate it.  You will have less to clean because you simplified.  If you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day, take a look at what you are spending time doing, and then decide to only spend time doing things that propel you towards your goal. 

Simplification doesn’t mean sacrifice; it means greater freedom.  Don’t be afraid, it’s simple, and you can do it.  Your results will astound you!  Focus your attention and see how simple it is to get where you are going.

-Mark