“KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid.”
All of us, at some point, have probably heard those words spoken to us, or have said them to ourselves.
How rude!
Not the “Keep it simple” part… just the “stupid” part. When we call ourselves or others “stupid” in this context, we’re beating ourselves up. It’s like a mental “whap!” upside the head and a wake-up call to get with the program. (And calling an epiphany a “Duh! moment” – which I did this weekend – isn’t particularly compassionate either.)
It’s an open acknowledgment of a tendency we all have: to make things much more complicated than they need to be.
After all, it’s much more fun – and still leaves room for other addictions, like procrastination, perfection and control – to engage in mental masturbation.
(Oh dear, did I just write that!?!? Yes, I did. Maybe it’ll boost my SEO!)
[pullquote]Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction. ~E.F. Schumacher [/pullquote]
I often wonder if introverts have a special tendency to overindulge in making the simple, complicated. We are internal processors, so the wheels are turning, turning, turning before a thought pops out. We’re comfortable spending (draining?!?) our energy internally. Our thinking happens over time, and what happens when there’s too much time? There’s enough time for things to get… complicated!
We know intellectually that “it’s really quite simple,” and yet we emotionally get stuck in “there’s got to be a better/faster/easier way to do this.”
Guess what? Better, faster and easier is usually SIMPLER.
Want to lose weight? Eat less, move more.
Write a book? Butt in seat, fingers on keyboard.
Meditate? Sit down, breathe, be quiet.
Say “no”? Say “no.”
Spend less time on Facebook? CLOSE THE TAB.
Build a business? Sit less, show up more.
Is it all that easy? Yes and no. There are more steps, more considerations to each of these desires. The problem is that we get caught up in the steps and considerations, and we forget the bottom line. We think we have to find just the right gym or diet plan… we have to be “in the mood”… we need the perfect sitting cushion… we need to have an excuse before we can say “no”….
Ah, there’s the word! Excuse. We blow things out of proportion, elevate their importance to cosmic levels, when if you boil it down to the simple truth, we’re making excuses for NOT doing what we want. For NOT succeeding. Because once we succeed, we have to keep doing it again, and again, and again. It’s easier to stay stuck in excuses, because our “stupid” gremlins (those powerful negative voices) want to do a happy dance and gleefully sing, “See, I told you so!”
Those gremlins count on us to feed them with regular servings of distractions, diversions and distrust. We think we’re doing our due diligence, scrutinizing the situation and considering all possibilities. Instead, we’re careening ever closer to paralysis by analysis.
Need an example? This post. Already, reading over it, I can see that I’m making the idea of simplicity more complicated, by trying to explain my position and account for every individual variation and be clever about it and use 20 words when 4 will do.
You get the point.
Notice: Where am I engaging in mental masturbation?
Ask: What’s the simple answer?
Remember: “KISS: Keep It Simple, Superstar!”
Like this post? Share it with friends! “Like” it for Facebook! Share your thoughts in the comments –> Where are you committed to simplification?
PS: Here’s a beautifully simple reminder for those moments of overwhelm: http://make-everything-ok.com/
Oh. I can *so* relate to this, Beth!
Not only about making the simple thing itself complicated…but adding on to it and making it BIGGER and more complicated.
Sort of like this comment. Which I started expanding on – in several different directions. Until deciding to take your advice and keep it simple. Digressions erased.
Good luck with the SEO! (fyi – "naked" is good for traffic!)
My recent post Starting over from scratch
Patty, you are so funny! "Naked," huh? I'll have to give that a try… 😉
We're good at making mountains out of molehills, aren't we?? You really hit the nail on the head when you were doing your "That one damn phone call!" offering… it's really the same thing: stop over-thinking and just pick up the phone and start talking!
Thanks for commenting!
My recent post How to Kick Your Paralysis by Analysis Addiction
LMAO!!!! This had to be the funniest article about paralysis by analysis!!! I am guilty as charged but wonder if I need to register as an offender for mental masturbation (absolutely hilarious!) or have to go to PAA meetings! I will be taking this article to heart and mind…working towards doing not just planning!
Debbie, I'm glad you found the humor in this – part of why we make things complicated is probably because we take everything so darn seriously! I'm sure a PAA meeting would be very popular 🙂 – it's one reason having an accountability partner is so helpful, because it spurs action. Best wishes as you strive to DO more and analyze less!
My recent post How to Kick Your Paralysis by Analysis Addiction
So true! Something I fall into way too easily. Must remember the simple!
My recent post Why I Love Sewing
Susan, thanks for reading and commenting. Another truth that helps me remember: The shortest distance between two points is a straight line 🙂 Here's to simplicity!
My recent post How to Kick Your Paralysis by Analysis Addiction
Love this post Beth. Thanks for your wise, smart and simple words.
My favorite part was:
Want to say "no". Say "no". It really is that simple when we make is so. I like to tell myself often that "No." is a complete sentence. I tend to fall into periods of time when I yes too easily. This overcomplicates my life and business. I tell my productivity consulting clients that everytime you say "yes" to something or someone, by default you are also saying "no" to something or someone (ie: if I say "yes" to another project in the office when my plate is already full, I may be saying "no" to joining my family for dinner that night or "no" to fitting in an evening walk). This too serves as a good reminder to keep it simple and say "no", or for those like me that want to please, "no thank you" 🙂
My recent post Need an Email Intervention?
Hi Debbie,
Your reply reminds me of Jean-Luc Picard's famous words, "Make it so." No big fanfare or months of research – just "make it so." I love what you say about "'No.' is a complete sentence." And I'm with you, "No, thank you" feels even better 🙂
RE: your recent post, YES!! I'm in super serious need of an e-mail intervention! Signed up for the webinar, look forward to learning from you!
My recent post How to Kick Your Paralysis by Analysis Addiction
Funny post you got there! lol The title gave me a tongue twisting problem.
Eating less and move more is just how we should do something to lose weight. I myself should make this as my mantra.
I love 'Paralysis by Analysis Addiction", it sure beats "Borderline Aspergers Syndrome" and those of us with ADD can really PAAADD our thought processes…