Keep it simple silly. In our house, we don’t like the word “stupid”, so we use the word “silly” instead.
Whether I’m working with individuals, teams, or entire organizations, I find that too often, we make things way more complicated than they need to be. What do you make complicated in your life? Whether it’s managing finances, dealing with conflict, increasing productivity, improving communication or almost anything else, I have found that most of the time, the more we can simplify it, the better off we are.
Here are 7 areas of your life where keeping it simple might be a better approach:
1. Productivity. Smart phones, gadgets, calendars, planners, and all kinds of productivity tools exist. While you can get completely caught up in trying to have all of these things manage your productivity, they aren’t the solution. K.I.S.S.
approach? Identify your priorities. Schedule them. Stick to them. Do the next right thing.
2. Relationships. Whether you’re listening to Dr. Laura or Dr. Ruth, we tend way over complicate relationships. K.I.S.S. approach? Go beyond the Golden
Rule and use the Platinum Rule. Treat people they way THEY want to be treated. Listen, empathize, and focus on the goal. Stop trying to be right and focus on getting it right.
3. Money. Our current economic climate is a perfect example of how over complicated we make finances. K.I.S.S. approach? DO NOT spend more than you make. Period.
4. Health. Diet pills, magic juices, and fad diets DON’T work. K.I.S.S.
approach? Burn more calories than you take in. (That means smaller
portions and exercise, not starvation). There is no magic pill or diet. The human body needs physical activity.
5. Work. You can’t change anyone. K.I.S.S. approach? If you’re not happy with your boss, your co-workers, or your job in general, you either have to adjust your expectations or find another place to work.
6. Attitude. While I, and several thousand other people, study and write about
attitude, it’s just not that complicated. We believe what we tell ourselves. K.I.S.S. approach? If you’re not getting the result you want, change
the message and practice until it becomes a habit.
7. Happiness. Money and things DO NOT create happiness. K.I.S.S.
approach? Happiness is a choice. Choose wisely.
Don’t get me wrong, I know that many times each of these areas take more work and effort than a simple approach, but most of us get so caught up in the details and complicate things way more than we need to.
What can you do this week to K.I.S.S.?
Excellent blog! Simplifying my life has been my #1 goal for the past few years. I am the master of complicating things, so remembering to K.I.S.S. is a good mantra for me. I love sharing your posts with my friends … I hope they take this one to heart as well. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Thanks Barbara! I think we’re all the master at complicating things on some level. Sounds like you’ve got a great handle on it and are moving forward 🙂 Thanks for sharing the posts and for taking the time to comment!
I am going to work on K.I.S.S.ing more often. Life is not that complicated after all. You’re right, just exercise and don’t starve. I am not fat but feel like food is just weighing me down and it’s because I don’t have a definite exercise routine. I plan on walking every evening, at least, or dancing in the living room. I don’t have to go to Zumba class when I can bust a move in my own living room. Thanks for reminding us to be more light hearted in life in general.
I like that “I’m going to work on K.I.S.S.ing more often” 🙂 I LOVE dancing in the living room, provided there is music and no one watching 😉 I’m still working up to “dance like no one’s watching”. You go girl and bust a move 😉 Thanks for taking time to comment!
great advice to start the week. thanks Anne!
Sure thing, Susan. Have a great week!
Thanks, Anne! Yesterday in church I heard a similar message. The basics of it were to “remember the right things”. Not the negativity, the humiliations, etc., but remember the good and focus on that.
Kathleen
It’s interesting when you start hearing the same message repeated in a short period of time. It reminds me of two friends of mine. 1. Seren and 2. Dipity 🙂 We all need constant reminders to focus on the good things in our life. We get more of what we look for.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope you have a great week!
Don’t spend more than you earn. Burn more calories than you consumer. If we all could remember just those two bits of advice, I think most of us would be a lot happier. 🙂
I guess I can apply that second one to decluttering my house–Get rid of more than you take in. I think I’ll make use of that philosophy. It would at least get stuff out of my house…if I can sneak it past my OCD “recycling” housemate…Wish me luck!
Chantal
Good luck! I’m workign on the same thing, minus the OCD housemate 😉