5:45 this morning I get a call from Sarah, one of our coaches…

“The computer was not working when I got in this morning.  I restarted it and now the video demo is working with one small problem…there’s no sound…”

As I’m sure you’ve experienced, technology can be an amazing tool one second and the day’s major frustration the next. (Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses)

One of my jobs at Kvell is to create as much value as possible while keeping the “bells and whistles” to a minimum.

In other words, simplifying complexity while creating a superior product.

More complexity creates more potential issues, bottlenecks, and glitches.

This seems to be an exponential equation, not a linear one.

Creating a system that is as simple as possible while delivering the goods is what separates the truly great from the good.

You must stay current with the times.

You must add new tools to your toolbox.

You must continue to find and create more value.

How can you do this while keeping things as simple as possible?

How can you do this while creating a disaster-proof system?

Start by pinpointing exactly what you want the end result to be whether for your life, your business, or your career.

Focus like a mad(wo)man on simplifying the things that increase the likelihood of realizing that result.

Evaluate every bell and whistle with the question of…

“Will this thing help me get where I want to go in some way better than what I am already doing?”

If the answer is an emphatic yes then follow up with…

“Is the increased result worth the added complexity?”

Then…

“Can I decrease the amount of added complexity?”

Lastly, ask again…

“After simplification, is the increased result worth the added complexity?”

Remember, whenever you add a bell or a whistle to your system you likely create the possibility of issues exponentially without the same exponential increase in added value to the system.

You’re on to something special when you can decrease complexity while exponentially increasing upside.

Now, I have to go try to fix a sound issue starting the days cascades of exponential issues.


Brett “Simply Complex” Denton