Eazy Peeze, Easy Living, Easy Street, Easy Rider, or Easy Going, have you ever noticed how frequently we use the word easy. We gravitate towards things that are easy. Human nature, laziness, cutting corners, I’m sure there are many good reasons why we have this tendency. In fact, the reason isn’t even that important. What is important is for us to recognize that we do have this tendency. We like easy solutions because they move us out of pain and into pleasure more efficiently. We will even avoid a difficult task at all costs to find or wait for an easier task to appear.

Once we admit this tendency, it will crystallize how you should work. The more obstacles you place before someone the less they are likely to attempt, let alone complete, that task. We sense difficulty, we have developed over thousands of years the ability to perceive complexity and move away from . This applies across so many different interactions and activities that we need to always remember that old phrase “Keep it Simple Stupid.” I believe that if businesses could actually keep things simpler, we may be able to realize the great productivity gains long promised by computers. I recommend that everyone ask these questions every time there are designing, planning, implementing, modifying, etc a task:

- How can I make this task simpler or easier?
- Is there anything complex or difficult about this task?
- Is this task difficult to explain? (If it is, then it will probably be difficult to accomplish!)

Do you want to hear the grand paradox about why people don’t make things simpler? I’m sure you’ve guessed; it’s because it’s hard. It requires a lot thinking, it’s much easier not thinking things through, it’s much easier starting something if you don’t have to think about what exactly you want. How many idioms do we have that urge us to think, how much do we actually do it? So my suggestion it simple, if you want to more effective in any endeavor do the hard work and think about how to make it simpler.

A corollary to this rule of thumb is that when the first person you describe something to or they read a document of yours, and they don’t get a particular point or idea, it probably means it is too complicated. Before you attempt to communicate with the next person, revise your speech or document to simplify that area. I guarantee that it will be worth your effort and will drastically improve your effectiveness.

For more advice along these lines try a “Search For a Simpler Way.” I’m headed over there myself right now!