Why Complexity Is the Enemy of Success—And How to Escape It

In 1514, during the Age of Exploration, the world faced a question: how do we navigate the open seas? Some theorists proposed complex models involving celestial spheres and mystical forces, but Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan knew better. He used simpler tools—stars, maps, and intuition—to circumnavigate the globe. Magellan understood a principle that would later be called Occam’s Razor: the simplest solution is often the best.

In life and business, we often overcomplicate our problems, weighing ourselves down with unnecessary layers of thought and action. We’re taught that if something isn’t working, we need to “try harder” or “do more.” But that’s the lie. The real answer is often far simpler: do less, but do it right.

Occam’s Razor, attributed to 14th-century philosopher William of Ockham, argues that when faced with multiple explanations for an event or problem, the simplest one is most likely the truth. In life, this means cutting through the clutter of over-analysis and getting to the core of what truly matters.

Applying Occam’s Razor to Life and Work

How many times have you looked at your to-do list and felt overwhelmed? You start with the complex, multi-step tasks, thinking you’ll achieve more. But by mid-day, you’re drained, and nothing gets done. Here’s the truth: your real enemy isn’t the workload—it’s your obsession with complexity.

Simplify. When a problem arises, strip it down to its most basic elements. Take a step back, ask yourself, “What’s the simplest solution to this problem?” The fewer moving parts, the fewer opportunities for failure. As Steve Jobs once said, “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”

Let’s break it down:

• Identify the core issue: What's really holding you back? What’s the most straightforward solution?

• Remove the noise: Eliminate distractions and unnecessary tasks that don’t serve your core mission.

• Act on simplicity: Focus on the one thing that moves the needle, not the ten things that seem urgent but don’t matter in the long run.

In business, this could mean cutting out redundant processes or unnecessary products. In life, it could mean saying “no” to the things that clutter your day and focusing on what truly matters—your family, your faith, your health, your goals.

The fastest way forward isn’t through complexity. It’s through clarity. Let Occam’s Razor be your guide. Cut away the excess, remove the distractions, and focus on the simplest, most direct path to victory. Because when you live fully, you don’t do more—you do less, but better.

Hope this helps you crush your goals and get more of your life back this week. Next week I’ll walk you through how to apply extreme focus to get what you want.

Cheers,

Matt

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P.S. If this was helpful for you, it might be helpful for someone else. Feel free to share it. My goal is to help as many people as possible stop settling and start living. 🤙