Essential Walk #20: Simplicity

Thoughts on Excellence Free E-Newsletter Series
Volume 23, Issue No. 3a
November 1, 2024

By Dan Coughlin

 

Simplicity

One of my favorite quotes is from Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. He wrote: “For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn’t give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.”

Even after you clarify the thoughts, emotions, and will that you think constitute a healthy essence, you can still have an overwhelming amount to deal with. It is hard to focus on anything when there is too much going on.

The heavy lifting is to carefully select the main thoughts, emotions, and will that you want in your essence. And then these will guide your words and actions.

In MWD (Merriam-Webster Dictionary), simplify is defined as reducing to the basic essentials.

That fits perfectly with this series of articles on your essence.

This is why I’m a huge believer in The Power of 3 and Less is More.

Whenever you answer the question, “What three things will I keep?” you do something very powerful. You carefully choose what you will keep, and you carefully choose what you won’t keep. The net result will be a very carefully selected essence. With a simplified essence, every thought, emotion, and will becomes even more important in your life.

Essential Walk Questions for You to Consider

  1. What are the three most important morals that you want guiding your decisions?
  2. What are the three most important emotions that you want to experience on a regular basis?
  3. What are the three most important habits you want to consistently do?

What you are left with is something quite simple, and that’s what makes it so powerful for you. Carry your answers with you everywhere you go for two weeks and read them over several times a day.






Republishing Articles

My newsletters, Thoughts on Excellence, have been republished in approximately 40 trade magazines, on-line publications, and internal publications for businesses, universities, and not-for-profit organizations over the past 20+ years. If you would like to republish all or part of my monthly articles, please send me an e-mail at dan@thecoughlincompany.com with the name of the article you want in the subject heading. I will send you the article in a word document.

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