Complexity is the silent killer of clarity. And it’s everywhere. Which is precisely why we need simplicity, now more than ever.
[Title photo by Kaboompics.com]
Clutter? What Clutter?
I usually keep my desk and work area relatively clear (compared to some other workspaces I’ve observed). But right now, I have a pile of papers and packages on the edge of my desk. It’s mostly stuff for a committee I work with. But you want to know an odd thing? The pile has been there for a couple of weeks, and I’ve grown so accustomed to it that I no longer notice it.
That’s the curious thing about clutter. The more we have, the less we seem to notice it . . . until it starts slowing us down. You know the feeling: the desk that requires you to move three piles before you can open your laptop. The schedule that’s so packed you need a meeting just to plan the meetings. The phone that beeps, pings, and buzzes until you can’t remember what you were doing in the first place.
Complexity is the silent killer of clarity. And it’s everywhere. Which is precisely why we need simplicity, now more than ever.
Why We Need Simplicity
Simplicity is so much more than clearing out a cluttered basement or dropping a few items from your calendar. Here are some of the ways embracing simplicity can improve our lives.
- Promotes Mental Clarity: Every extra decision drains your mental battery. Simplicity keeps you sharp by reducing decision fatigue.
- Allows You to Focus on What Matters: When you clear the nonessential, what’s left are your real priorities.
- Reduces Stress: Complexity breeds anxiety; simplicity breeds peace.
- Help You Achieve Better Results with Less Effort: Streamlined systems mean you get more done without more hustle.
- Provides Alignment with Values: Simplicity makes it easier to live according to what you truly believe in.
The Science and Wisdom Behind Simplicity
Simplicity isn’t merely a lifestyle trend; it’s backed by timeless wisdom and solid science.
The Stoics taught us to focus only on what’s within our control. That principle is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome. In positive psychology, research shows that reducing cognitive load boosts creativity and problem-solving. And from coaching, we know that clarity and focus are the foundation for consistent progress.
Simplicity is not living with less. It’s living with more purpose.
Applying Excelerated Simplicity™ in Daily Life
Here are some ideas for introducing simplicity into your daily practices.
- Declutter Your Physical Space – Start small: one drawer, one shelf, one countertop.
- Simplify Your Schedule – Cut out the “busy work” and keep only what moves you forward.
- Streamline Decisions – Use routines and checklists so you can focus on bigger choices.
- Focus on One Thing – Each day, identify your single most important action and do it first.
Why Marsha Needed Simplicity
I once worked with a client we’ll call “Marsha”. Marsha was overwhelmed: overcommitted at work, overbooked socially, and buried under digital clutter, all while raising two young children. We started with one small step: clearing her desktop (both physical and digital). Within days, she reported feeling lighter, more focused, and more in control. That small act of simplicity gave her the momentum to tackle bigger changes.
Your Simplicity Challenge
Here is your challenge. This week, choose one area to simplify:
- Physical space
- Digital space
- Schedule
- Daily habits
Commit to making it lighter, cleaner, or clearer. Notice what happens to your mood, focus, and productivity.
For a deeper dive, try the Excelerated Simplicity™ Workbook. This is a work in progress, so there may be some minor glitches, but I want to make it available for you now, if you’re interested in deepening your Excelerated Simplicity™ practice.
Living simply doesn’t mean living a bare-bones life. It’s a way to remove the noise so the music of your life can be heard more clearly. Excelerated Simplicity™ is your guide to a calmer mind, a clearer path, and a life aligned with what truly matters. It’s another step on the path to embracing your Excelerated Life™!
Where could simplifying make the most significant difference for you?
What is one small, simple step you could take right now to begin?
Share your ideas by leaving a post below.
Excelerated Simplicity™ — freeing yourself from unnecessary complexity — is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.
Read more about the Excelerated Life™.
This blog post includes research information provided by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content was generated with AI assistance and is intended to provide information and guidance. Please note that the suggestions are not official statements from OpenAI. To learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, you can visit the OpenAI website.