I haven’t posted anything for a while, as I have been really busy. I have noticed that in all areas of life, a simple strategy typically wins. The word simple is often associated with menial or small, yet I think that simple means refined or clear. Having a simple strategy in life refines your goals and removes distractions, thus making them clearer. In many areas of life, simplicity wins (or is just better).
Finances- There are so many options for our finances recently. Ranging from where to put your money (long term, short term, high risk, low risk) or how to go into debt, or even how to get out of debt. I’m definitely not against having options. I think that it is definitely a good idea to shop around and find what works for you. However, the fundamentals should be simplified. The age-old principles typically win when it comes to finances, regardless of how many options there are presented to us today – don’t go into debt (besides houses and school). This ties into the if you can’t afford it don’t buy it logic. But this also applies to investing – a touchy subject for most. I keep it simple – pay bills and keep the rest in a high-yielding savings account. It has done me quite well.
School- How can anyone keep school simple? Easily. Keep everything on your laptop. Well, almost everything. I use Wikipedia + the internet for just about every bit of research, thus basically negating the use of textbooks (heavy and cumbersome). This doesn’t mean that you should burn your textbooks or not purchase them, yet just use them as a guide. Chances are, the internet contains about 99% of the information contained in your textbooks and can be searched much quicker. Simple.
Life- Simplicity is often difficult to achieve in life. However, looking at the choices people have made, the choices appeared not to be conscious decisions. You can still be busy while achieving simplicity, because the principles of simplicity can apply. I have noticed when simplifying tasks in daily life, I have cut out large amounts of time while still leading a busy lifestyle.
Keep in mind, simplicity does not mean that you have to cut out things that are essential or necessary. However, cutting out redundant or unnecessary tasks simplifies each of these areas. Whether this be keeping a scattered financial portfolio, carrying a 10lb textbook in your bag that is available online, or lack of planning in daily life. By cutting out these unnecessary things, I have noticed that I have a surplus in time, allowing myself to take on many tasks simultaneously. Keeping the simplicity strategy gives you an advantage for your time and the outcome of the tasks you are doing in daily life.
