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Quotes about Simplifying

    “Turning repetitive tasks into automated digital processes frees your brain for the essential, creative work. And you don’t need to hire a team or spend money on expensive new products. Automation is accessible to anyone who wants to take advantage of it. With a little effort, anyone can automate.”

    Aytekin Tank, Automate Your Busywork (Page 1)

      “Live content with small means; seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion. Be worthy, not respectable, wealthy, not rich; study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.”

      Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts (Page 78)

        “’Where is the good knife?’ If you’re looking for your good X, you have bad Xs. Throw those out.”

        Ideopunk, LessWrong

          “Art has such an impact on people that many strange things can happen in their souls: mysteries become clearer; opaque things become evident; complicated things become simple; what is probable becomes necessary. A real artist always simplifies.”

          Henri Amiel, A Calendar of Wisdom (Page 196)

            “Don’t overdress your thought in fine language.”

            Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, via The Daily Stoic (Page 115)

              “At every moment keep a sturdy mind on the task at hand, as a Roman and human being, doing it with strict and simple dignity, affection, freedom, and justice—giving yourself a break from all other considerations. You can do this if you approach each task as if it is your last, giving up every distraction, emotional subversion of reason, and all drama, vanity, and complaint over your fair share. You can see how mastery over a few things makes it possible to live an abundant and devout life—for, if you keep watch over these things, the gods won’t ask for more.”

              Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, via The Daily Stoic (Page 37)

              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.

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

                Steve Jobs Quote on Simplicity and How Simple Can Be Harder Than Complex

                  “That’s been one of my mantras—focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

                  Steve Jobs

                  Beyond the Quote (42/365) Part 2: On Simplicity

                  Read First: Steve Jobs Quote on Focus and Working Hard To Keep Thinking Clean (Part 1)

                  Once we become aware of the fact that we’re in the midst of a full-blown battle for attention and that we’re literally being wired to enjoy distractions, we can start taking the proper steps to regain control.  If we don’t even know we’re in a battle or that we’re being rewired, after all, how can we know to do anything about it?  If we want to produce the best work of our lives then blocking out distractions and focusing our attention on the deep and thoughtful type of work is key.

                  Read More »Steve Jobs Quote on Simplicity and How Simple Can Be Harder Than Complex

                    “Beginning meditation practice is an excellent opportunity to contemplate how we spend our time.  How much of what we do is important and truly necessary?  One of the obstacles to meditation is being pulled in too many directions.  What drains us; what nourishes us?  Are there activities we can postpone or eliminate?  It will be helpful to ask questions like these at the outset.  Awareness lays the ground for a strong commitment to practice.  Taming our mind isn’t a hobby or an extracurricular activity—it’s the most important thing we could be doing.  It can even help streamline a pressured situation because it gives us clarity, peace, and fortitude.  So while we may need to simplify our life in order to meditate, a benefit of meditation is that it will make our life simpler.” ~ Sakyong Mipham, Turning the Mind Into An Ally (Page 216)