Hans Hofmann Quote on Simplifying and How Complexity Is The Enemy of Execution

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

Hans Hofmann

Beyond the Quote (297/365)

When given the choice between simple and complicated, choose simple. Simple doesn’t mean “easier” or “less valuable.” Simple just means that less is required. Less effort needs to be exerted. Less steps need to be taken. Less thought is required. It essentially minimizes the size of the hurdle that needs to be cleared in order for the task to be completed. And in order to maximize the chances of a task being completed, simplicity is one of the most significant playing factors.

The immediate case study that comes to mind is the iPhone and how it revolutionized the smart phone industry. It wasn’t because of how much more complicated it was that it became a success, but for precisely the opposite reason. There was one button. It used an intuitive touch display. The User Interface was seamless. It was much simpler to use than all of its predecessors. Getting things done with the iPhone required less and that’s why it became such a success.

When setting out to complete a task given to you by another, this idea is obvious. When you have to complete a project, you always prefer simple directions over complicated ones. You prefer to use simple programs over the complicated alternatives. You prefer having to take fewer steps than more. And in fact, the more complicated each of the above layers to the project are, the less likely it is to be completed—or at least completed well with minimal frustration along the way.

So, if simplicity is the key to completion and complicated is its enemy, the question quickly becomes, how can you add more simplicity to your life? When you boil it down, life is nothing but a never ending pile of tasks to be completed, isn’t it? Staying alive requires completing an entire list unto itself. Then there’s living a “balanced” life, discovering who you are, and expressing what you discover—all each having their own entire lists. And one of the problems many of us have in completing all of these tasks is that they’re each so damn complicated!

Better would be to take each of the tasks that are presenting you with the largest hurdles and asking yourself, “How can I simplify this?” Or, “What would this look like if it were easy?” Or, “Are all of the layers of this task necessary? If no, what can I clear away?” By answering these questions, you’ll start to slowly shrink the hurdle(s) you have to jump over and exert less energy as a result. Maybe you can even use that saved energy to complete more tasks. Or, maybe you can just enjoy more of the space between the tasks you have to complete. This is the magic of simplifying.

Be mindful though, because once you become accustomed to a certain “complexity,” simplifying can feel like you’re being less productive or adding less value. I know for me, when I start getting into a groove with getting a certain task done, my instinct is to think about how I can add more to it. Which, inadvertently, adds more steps, raises the hurdle, and makes completing the task more complicated (and less likely to be completed) in the future. Eliminate the excess. Wash away the desire to add more steps. Focus on what’s most important and don’t overcomplicate your process. Or, said succinctly: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

In a Tweet:

What tasks are presenting you with the largest hurdles?

How can you simplify them?

What would it look like if it were easier?

Are all of the layers of those tasks necessary?

Sometimes, lowering the hurdles is far more effective than always trying to jump higher.

— Matthew Hogan (@MattHogan123) October 27, 2020

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