"K.I.S.S. -- Keep It Simple Sweetie!" -- Unknown

Alive & Well Archives

October 2003

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TODAY'S QUOTE:  “If something seems too difficult, it probably is.”

                                                -Reg Griebling

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TODAY'S TOPIC:  Keep It Simple

Do you ever make things more complicated than they need to be?  I bet you do! 

I see this frequently with my clients and in my own life.  Let me give you an example.  The other day, I helped my mom shampoo her carpets.  She needed to take the lid off the shampoo holder, so she could fill it with shampoo.  However, she could not get the lid to come off by unscrewing it.  She tried unscrewing the knob with all her might, but it would not budge.  After a few minutes of this, she became very upset.  Someone had borrowed the vacuum, so she became convinced he put the lid on too tight.  She started saying things like, “Why is this happening?  Why would he put the lid on so tight?  Why can’t things ever be easy?”  The poor woman became very stressed.

Then I tried to get the lid unscrewed.  After trying unsuccessfully for a few minutes, I realized it had to be simpler.  I knew we were making it too complicated, but I didn’t know how.  I said to myself, “It can’t be this complicated.  Make it simpler Kim.”  Just then, I lifted the lid right up.  You see, the man who borrowed the vacuum had not screwed the lid in at all!  It just needed to be lifted out of the container rather than screwed out of it!  It was so easy to get the lid out, yet we had made it so complicated.  When I finally took a step back, I was able to see the solution. 

Let me give you an example in a career context.  My boyfriend is a software developer.  His belief is, “If something seems too difficult, it probably is.”  Sometimes, he will become frustrated, because his programs won’t work.  Knowing, however, that things should not be so complicated, he is able to step back and see the mistakes he’s made.  By stepping back and keeping it simple, he’s able to find the solutions.  He knows things shouldn’t be complicated, so he immediately looks for the simple solutions.  He is, therefore, able to develop superior programs much more quickly than most of his colleagues. 

How about you?  Where have you made life too complicated?  I challenge you to make your life simpler.  When things seem too difficult or frustrating, walk away from them.  Or remind yourself, “If something seems too difficult, it probably is.”  Step back and see how you can simplify things.  Trust me --- you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration and stress!   

So are you willing?  Go ahead and make your life simpler. 

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Coaching Challenge

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The next time life seems complicated, stop and ask yourself how you can make it simpler.  Remind yourself to keep it simple and see the solutions come more quickly.