The Psychological Power of Simplicity The Simplicity Theory says that people prefer simple experiences and are more likely to choose marketing and products that minimize cognitive load (a fancy term for how much information we're trying to keep in our brains at one time).
The simplicity principle, traditionally referred to as Occam's razor, is the idea that simpler explanations of observations should be preferred to more complex ones.
The law of simplicity indicates that our mind perceives everything in its simplest form. The image below, for example, when studied in depth is made up of individual components that have no meaning when viewed separately, yet our mind automatically perceives them in combination to spell out the word 'logo'.
The science behind the simplicity and why it works
They are docile and obedient and easily follow suggestions put forward by others because it saves them the labor of thinking for themselves.” In other words, people don't want to think too hard about your customer experience because thinking is hard work.
In order to be simple one needs to put real efforts but most don't like to, thereby making things complex. For example, we all know that to summarize complex ideas in simple words is very hard, as it requires a lot of practice to decide what to include and what to leave out.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
The paradox of simplicity states that while simplicity supposedly enhances performance and helps people achieve their goals, they may not necessarily prefer or choose the simplest alternative.
Fast Company contributor Faisal Hoque explains three components involved in making decisions surrounding simplicity; Namely, they are discipline, patience and strength. Discipline means saying “no” to things that don't fit into the master plan.
Science has shown simplicity can lead to pleasure and happiness.
Improving Concentration and Overall Brain Functioning
A simpler life allows you to declutter your space, brain, and time. The stress reduction and overall life satisfaction this offers can allow your brain to function at a higher, more effective level than before.
The philosophy of simplicity aims to break that cycle of habits by introducing easily manageable tactics in all areas of life.
Simplicity is staying in the present and not making things complicated. Simplicity is enjoying a plain mind and intellect. Simplicity teaches us economy — how to use our resources wisely, keeping future generations in mind. Simplicity is giving patience, friendship, and encouragement.
A distinction is often made between two fundamentally distinct senses of simplicity: syntactic simplicity (roughly, the number and complexity of hypotheses), and ontological simplicity (roughly, the number and complexity of things postulated).
absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness: a life of simplicity. freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness: a simplicity of manner. lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness: Politics is not a field for simplicity about human nature.
“The art of art, the glory of expression, and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.” “A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life.” “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” “I like simplicity; I don't need luxury.”
1 REDUCE The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction. 2 ORGANIZE Organization makes a system of many appear fewer. 3 TIME Savings in time feel like simplicity. 4 LEARN Knowledge makes everything simpler.
/ (sɪmˈplɪstɪk) / adjective. characterized by extreme simplicity; naive. oversimplifying complex problems; making unrealistically simple judgments or analyses.
Simplicity enhances clarity of our perception and frees us from the diversions of desires. However, there is a common myth among people that if we become simple, then we would be considered stupid or dull. But, we tend to forget a fact that where there is simplicity, there is strength.
Clutter is the enemy of simplicity. To get to simple, we first need to think about all the ways we experience clutter.
The Virtue of Simplicity
Simplicity reveals what is directly without pretense or exaggeration. It is a mean between excess and deficiency. Paraphrasing Albert Einstein, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth” ~ Leo Tolstoy. A Russian writer referred to as one of the greatest authors of all times.
"Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things" - Sir Isaac Newton.
“Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world; it is the last limit of experience and the last effort of genius.”