Week 10: Keep it Simple and Get Out of Your Own Way

When we shift from being an observer to an active participant in our lives, something interesting happens. What's often found is that most of the time, we just need to get out of our own way.

I've seen it in the students I've taught who want to carve their own path instead of the ones that their parents or society say they should follow.

I've seen it in myself when it came to taking my first entrepreneurial leap. Heck-- I feel it in myself as I write this post.

I've seen it in the extremely successful entrepreneurs I interview who, before launching their business, came face-to-face with their fear of failure.

Often times all it takes to get out of our own way is just a subtle shift in thinking and focusing on the positive. Easier said than done, I know, but don't take my word for it. Listen to Jay Stolar: "If you get out of your own way, you can accomplish anything."

In his music video #MyOwnWay (which benefits the Love is Louder movement), Stolar spreads the message that happiness comes from how you look at your situation and your willingness to love yourself.

With a marker in hand, Stolar writes the word "Buried" on the reflective surface of his mirror. Others line up to share their deep seed of negativity and write their word, as well:

"Disfigured"

"Homeless"

"Dependent"

"Not enough"

"Depressed"

"Destructive"

"Broken"

Perhaps you too have a word that embraces your greatest fear. Being rejected. Failing. Go ahead, write it in your blog post ( or your journal to keep it private).

If you were to invert your word and focus on the positive, what would it be? Free? Beautiful? Human? Supported? Everything? Alive? Healthy? Tenacious?

As a teacher, an entrepreneur, and just a guy who wants to be the best version of himself, I've seen my fair share of destructive criticism (and something tells me you have too). 

There's a whole lot out there that tries to hold you back. Don't let yourself join that crowd.

Keep it Simple
Right now in your #20time project, you may be at the interesting point of making things too difficult. Too complicated. Perhaps you’re excited about your project and added on a few more items to make your project stand out from the rest of the #20time students creating meaningful projects around the world.

I get that.

That’s the competitive nature of being human, the excitement that comes from working on something meaningful, and -- of course -- your intrinsic need to live out the greatest version of yourself.

Keep in mind that some of the greatest ideas (that become actual real-world creations) are super simple.

Take a look at Chapter 5 (pg. 97) in Start Something That Matters. It dives deep into how to keep it simple and provides you with practical takeaways which you can apply to your #20time project.

After your read this chapter, use these questions to guide your blog post this week. You may answer them directly or tangentially bring them into your stream of conscious writing. 

1. Why is simplicity so hard to achieve? What’s the difference between achieving simplicity and merely being simplistic?

2. How is Google different from other search engines like Yahoo! and AOL? Is it possible for a product to be both simple and complex at the same time?

3. What is the 80/20 rule and how has Tim Ferriss used it to increase his productivity? How can you use it to better structure your time?

4. Jacob Davis -- the inventor of jeans -- solved a simple problem that no one else noticed for a long time: people’s pants kept falling down. The world is full of simple problems that no one is paying attention to. What are three problems in your world that could be fixed with a simple invention?

That’s it for this week. Go ahead and get started by chewing the fat from your project and simplifying. I’ll be here eagerly awaiting your brilliant creation.