The Simplicity Principle

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." This book helps us return to simplicity in a chaotic world by adopting nature-inspired strategies.

1. Complexity Fuels Our Longing for Simplicity

Modern life has become needlessly complex. Tasks that should take moments, such as sending an email, can spiral into minutes or hours due to technological hiccups. For example, system updates or lost wi-fi interrupt us at every step. This creates frustration and highlights how much we desire simplicity.

Companies like Apple understand this well, designing their products to be technologically advanced but simple to use. Steve Jobs made simplicity a core principle, which played a key role in Apple's global success. The sleek design and intuitive functionality respond to our yearning for straightforwardness.

Even in politics, simplicity often wins. Take the 2016 Brexit referendum in the UK: the "Leave" campaign's straightforward slogan, "Take Back Control," appealed to voters tired of nuanced or complicated arguments. Similarly, Trump's "Make America Great Again" resonated by offering a clear, direct message in a world full of political complexities.

Examples

• Apple's user-friendly designs, making advanced technology accessible.
• Brexit's clear slogan contrasted with complex opposing arguments.
• Any email task that becomes laborious due to technological delays.

2. Look to Bees for Organizational Wisdom

Bees are master organizers, operating efficiently within the constraints of their hive's hexagonal structure. Hexagons simplify their lives by providing a strong, interconnected architecture that allows for flexibility, strength, and efficiency.

Bees remind us that simplicity isn’t just about aesthetics. It's about functionality and flow. The six-sided hexagon offers a brilliant metaphor for how we can simplify our own lives. By focusing on a manageable number of priorities — ideally six, like the facets of the hexagon — we can similarly streamline our chaotic days.

Hexagon Action, a concept offered in this book, teaches us to focus on six core areas: Clarity, Individuality, Reset, Knowledge, Networks, and Time. These priorities are mapped visually, reducing mental overload and helping us concentrate on what truly matters.

Examples

• Bees’ hexagonal hive as nature's example of interconnected simplicity.
• Visualizing six priority tasks each day to align actions with values.
• Emulating the hexagon’s qualities of strength and interconnection in daily planning.

3. Clarity Brings Focus and Purpose

Distractions plague modern lives. From never-ending digital pings to internet rabbit holes, staying focused can feel impossible. The author suggests useful practices to bring clarity, such as cutting off internet access during designated times.

Warren Buffet's life offers a lesson: he says "no" to almost everything, choosing to concentrate on family, friends, and his talent in investing. This simplicity keeps him grounded and successful. Avoiding distractions isn't just about limiting screen time; it also involves purposeful living.

Clarity also comes from defining what matters most to you, whether it's finishing a personal project, improving health, or spending more time with loved ones. Knowing your purpose prevents your energy from being diluted by minor activities.

Examples

• Warren Buffet’s habit of saying "no" to focus his efforts.
• The author's "internet Shabbat," where she avoids online activity from Friday evening till Monday.
• Limiting daily to-do lists to prioritize important tasks over distractions.

4. Stay Grounded in Your Individuality

In a world of conformity, embracing uniqueness helps simplify decisions and stay authentic. Just like snowflakes, no two individuals are alike, and this individuality can guide better choices in work, relationships, and personal pursuits.

Listening to your intuition is key. Speaking your mind openly and resolving small conflicts early on can prevent larger problems down the line. Staying aligned with your values allows you to navigate opportunities without compromising deeply-held beliefs.

Place also matters. Knowing which environments recharge you — be it a comfy home office or a local park — helps create balance. Like bees returning to the hive, we need a familiar and nurturing space to recalibrate and refocus.

Examples

• Trusting intuition when deciding between conflicting tasks.
• Standing firm in values, such as declining a job offer that feels morally wrong.
• Identifying your favorite environments for work or relaxation.

5. Unplug for Periods to Reset and Recharge

Burnout is real in today’s constant hustle culture. Taking time to pause is vital. Even simple breaks — like meditation or lunch away from your desk — can help reset your mental state.

Extended breaks, such as vacations or new learning experiences, stimulate creativity and neuroplasticity. The author’s father would travel specifically to engage in “noticing,” an act of absorbing a new environment to shift focus and rebuild energy.

Finding activities that empty your mind, such as walking, gaming, or lounging, creates space for true rest. This isn’t about mindfulness techniques but about stepping away entirely from overstimulation and allowing natural mental recovery.

Examples

• The restorative effects of taking a real vacation away from work.
• Meditating or sitting in silence as deliberate “mindless” resets.
• Playing video games or taking nature walks to refresh focus.

6. Combat Information Overload by Curating Knowledge

“Infobesity” is a modern ailment caused by over-consuming online content with little relevance or lasting value. It impacts mental clarity and can even hinder critical thinking.

To combat this, establish reliable sources of information and avoid wasting time on untrustworthy ones. Curating a Knowledge Dashboard — a collection of key websites or sources you trust — means you’ll spend less energy sifting through unreliable content.

Beyond the digital world, we risk neglecting important social skills, like empathy or negotiation. Instead of spending hours scrolling, we should focus more on real-life interactions and emotional intelligence.

Examples

• Building a curated list of daily news or opinion sites with proven accuracy.
• Using a saved bookmark folder for gathering fewer but higher-quality articles.
• Spending more time practicing face-to-face discussions over endless online chats.

7. Human Connection is More Forging than Virtual Ties

While virtual networks offer convenience, real-world interactions are far more meaningful. Face-to-face contact carries emotional nuances that remote chats or texts cannot replicate.

Physical touch, like an appropriate pat on the arm or hug, builds stronger connections across personal and professional settings. Even in work contexts, these gestures enhance trust.

Additionally, real-life conversations are inherently more persuasive than messages. For instance, studies show you're significantly more likely to get agreement on a request made in-person versus via email.

Examples

• Taking five minutes to discuss something in-person rather than via email.
• Friendly handshakes or gestures that foster trust in meetings.
• Prioritizing lunch with colleagues over messaging them from another room.

8. Work With Your Own Rhythm to Manage Time Better

Time is constant but personal. To simplify its use, align your schedule to your natural rhythm instead of forcing productivity when it feels unnatural. Some people excel in the morning; others thrive at night.

The way businesses emphasize quarterly results often pushes subpar deadlines. Instead, set individual timelines that allow thoughtful progress. Personalizing our perception of time ensures we use it effectively rather than rushing.

Remember also to embrace the present moment. The past can’t be changed, and obsessing over future outcomes may waste today’s opportunities.

Examples

• A night owl working creatively late instead of conforming to office hours.
• Completing projects over personal mastery deadlines rather than strict corporate ones.
• Incorporating mindfulness exercises to focus on daily efforts.

9. Simplify, Don't Multiply Your Goals

Setting too many expectations often leads to disappointment. Instead, focus on fewer but achievable goals aligned with your values. Clear priorities allow structured efforts rather than a scattered approach.

Start with small victories. Accomplishing realistic goals builds momentum and clarity for larger projects. Break your objectives into digestible steps to avoid being overwhelmed.

The discipline to limit your commitments ensures you have the strength and time to succeed. Say "no" more often, and work toward resolutions that genuinely matter to you.

Examples

• Writing one chapter per week instead of vowing to “finish a book.”
• Exercising three days a week rather than promising daily sessions and failing.
• Turning down unnecessary side projects that would stretch energy thin.

Takeaways

1. Set just six daily priorities akin to the six facets of a hexagon — this streamlines focus and decisions.
2. Create an “internet Shabbat” window weekly to disconnect from devices and recharge.
3. Curate a list of reliable news sources and stop consuming endless, unverified information.