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SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY. ALWAYS SIMPLIFY

For Impact Ideas | | Tom Suddes

“SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY. ALWAYS SIMPLIFY.”
– Henry David Thoreau, American Philosopher

I’m in my 8th decade. (Granted, I was only in the 40’s for 9 months.) I’ve done a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot.

There is one thing that continually amazes me… and one big thing you need to remember:

SIMPLE = SUCCESS.

SIMPLICITY IS EVERYTHING!

  • SIMPLICITY is POWER. (‘Knowledge’ doesn’t mean anything.)
  • SIMPLICITY exponentially increases UNDERSTANDING. (Complexity obfuscates understanding, much like using the word ‘obfuscates’.)
  • SIMPLICITY is about CLARITY. (The clearer your ideas, directions, goals… the better.)

SIMPLICITY is actually a way of life for great For Impact organizations!

BUILD SIMPLE:

SIMPLE VISION.
SIMPLE MESSAGE.
SIMPLE CIRCLES.
SIMPLE DESIGN.
SIMPLE FUNDING PLANS.
SIMPLE PRESENTATIONS.

Coaching Thought: Albert Einstein conveyed the entire Theory of Relativity in 3 written pages. Then, he reduced it to 3 words. Then, he simplified again into 3 letters!!!

If E=MC2 can convey the Theory of Relativity, I’m urging you to reconsider your own messaging and funding requests!

For example, a typical not-for-profit grant proposal has a 1,000-word opening paragraph, 20 pages of numerous financials, all text, in the smallest possible typeface, 60 pages of “We need money”, and one small paragraph on IMPACT (maybe).

P.S. Washington’s 2nd Inaugural Address was only 134 words! Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address was only 272 words!