KISS of success

There are formulas for just about every task and activity under the sun, from making money in the stock market to winning the hand of the girl of your dream.

It has been shown, however, that the simpler the formula, the better it works.

So, whether you’re writing a million-dollar business plan, moving house or organising your own wedding, Keep It Short and Simple (KISS).

Not too long ago, two Stanford University students decided to develop an Internet search engine that would be simple in design and simple to use, and give you only the results that you want, without ads, animations and other distractions.

The rest of the world agreed with the two, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, that their search engine, which they called “Google”, was indeed simple and effective, making Google a runaway success, and one of the biggest companies in the world.

Consider the stock market. There are all kinds of “technical analyses” to predict whether a stock is going up or going down or just stagnating. You can ignore these complex formulas. According to an American investment guru Al Thomas, a straightforward, simple rule in investing in shares is, “If it doesn't go up, don't buy it!”

A few years ago, the giant European manufacturing company Philips decided to change its philosophy by adopting the motto, “Sense and Simplicity”. Everything it produces, from electronics to household appliances, should be both sensible and simple for its customers. As a result, Philips’ products continue to compete successfully against those made by the Japanese, Koreans and Taiwanese.

Living can be so difficult, so why make matters worse? To enjoy the KISS of success, following these four cardinal rules:

Rule 1: Do one thing at a time

Don’t multi-tasking, it doesn’t work. When your attention is divided between multiple tasks at the same time, you cannot do well in any one of them.

So, focus on only one task, do it well and complete it, BEFORE moving on to another.

Rule 2: Slow down your movement

Slowing down means you have the time and energy to notice things and enjoy them – your children at play, the sinking sun under the treetops, the aroma of morning coffee. What’s the point of living if you don’t have time to live because you’re always in a rush?

Rule 3: Give yourself space

We are emotionally attached to things, especially those that glitter – jewellery, electronic gizmos. Most of the time, you don’t need them. Free your life of clutter (including the latest cell phones and computers).

Rule 4: Reduce your purchases

The best things in life are free. Of course. Spend time with your family (at home, not in some pricey cruise), stroke the cat, listen to music.

Spend money on only the things that matter, not on indulgences. Shopping as therapy will make you bankrupt fast!

No time to stand and stare
Here's a poem to guide your action throughout the New Year:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

The poet, W H Davies (1871-1940) lived the kind of life he wrote about. Born in Wales in the UK, Davies went to America and lived the life of a tramp. One day, he lost a leg when he jumped out of a train (an occupational hazard!). Davies returned to England where he continued to live the life of a tramp and wrote poetry along the way.