Dawn Wentzell

Applying the KISS Principle

Posted on December 6th, 2009 in miscellaneous

Keep it simple, stupid.

I’ve been thinking about this idea quite a bit lately, and particularly how to apply it to my life.

Since starting with Outspoken Media in October, I’ve been…well, busy. Really busy. I work long hours; Outspoken Media is a start up, so I knew that when I signed on. But in addition to that, I do some freelance work. And it’s beginning to pile up.

I work. I sleep, but not as much as I’d like. I don’t do much else. So something’s gotta give. At the moment, it’s things like laundry and dishes. Shortly, it will be my sanity.

So I’m trying to simplify. Cutting out the extraneous stuff. Letting go of the things that don’t provide value. I wish that could be things like laundry and dishes, but well…yeah, nevermind, we won’t go there.

From a freelance perspective, that may mean giving up or postponing some projects. Or learning how to say no to new ones. While I’m working, that means eliminating distractions (read: twitter) for periods of time.

It also means working smarter. Taking breaks, having a few minutes to myself throughout the day. We cannot perform at our best when stressed, exhausted, and worn out. I know this, but I tend not to believe it, and instead try to plow through tasks non-stop until they are done. Must.Stop.That.

I’m going to be doing more planning, too. Planning meals at the beginning of the week, so I’m not standing in the kitchen at 6pm, starving, wondering what the heck I’m going to eat. Also so that I can streamline my grocery shopping by making sure I’m getting the ingredients I need. Scheduling when I pay my bills, so I don’t have to wonder (and dig through bank statements) to figure out if I have or not. And finessing my GTD strategy.

I’ve been a fan of the ‘Getting Things Done’ theory for a while now. But I have yet to come across an actual system that works for me, for managing all my inboxes and storing my information. I’ve gotta figure that one out.

I also want to simplify my surroundings. I have a lot of stuff. I’m a pack-rat by nature, except clutter stresses me out. Both mine and my aunt’s basements are full of stuff I plan to use someday. In reality, most of it will never get used, and I know that. I need to cut down all the stuff to the things that really matter most to me.

And from a personal perspective, I’m going to simplify my relationships, as well. There are people in my life who are there only because they always have been. I no longer get any benefit from some of them, so I need to cut those out as well. Its difficult to break up with friends, but I’ve done it in the past and I know it really is for the better. The fact that I am more at ease with that decision than I am with the idea of giving up my grandmother’s coffee maker (and I don’t even drink coffee!) tells me it’s the right thing to do.

And also? Going to bed at reasonable times! Why am I still awake at this hour?