Simple Beats Smart

Two posts changed my life.

1. How to Write Better

2. How to Stress Less

Here's the bigger pattern.

I wrote about writing better and stressing less. Different topics. Same truth.

Both start with overthinking:

• Writers add fancy words to sound smart

• Stressed minds add problems to feel prepared

• Both make things worse

Here's the pattern that fixes both:

1. Strip Everything Down

• Remove extra words

• Remove extra thoughts

• Remove extra worries

1. Trust Simple Rules

   1. For writing:

      1. Use short sentences

      2. Write like you talk

      3. Show don't tell

   2. For stress:

      1. There are no absolutes

      2. When stuck, leave it

      3. Everything will be OK

1. Take Simple Action

• Bad writing? Say it simpler

• Bad thoughts? Think less

• Bad situation? Leave it

I used this pattern to:

• Sell a company for 8 figures

• Beat my own anxiety

• Help others do both

Simple isn't easy. Your brain will fight it. It wants complexity. Wants to sound smart. Wants to worry.

But simple works.

Want proof? Look around:

• Apple's success: Make it simple

• Navy SEALs: Keep it simple

• Warren Buffett: Invest simple

The secret isn't finding new answers. It's trusting simple ones.

Think for yourself. Test everything. Keep what works.

And smile while doing it.