Keep it Simple, Essential | Focusing on What Really Matters

[!summary] TL;DR: Like “Keep it stupid, simple” with an extra steps to identify the important stuff.

The concept of “Keep it Simple, Essential” is a variation of the KISS principle, which stands for “Keep it simple, stupid.”

K.I.S.S. is a design and problem-solving concept that prioritizes simplicity. I’ve known since college days, echoing the idea that “less is more” that prevalent in the design school.

It is valuable for keeping things straightforward and user-friendly, but what if the subject itself is inherently cluttered or unnecessary? Simplifying something ineffective won’t make it useful. That’s where Keep it Simple, Essential comes in: going beyond simplicity to find and focus on the essence of what truly matters.

1. Identify the Core Purpose or Goal
2. List Everything Down
3. Evaluate Each Element’s Value and Relevance
4. Declutter Non-essentials (only keep what sparks joy)
5. Optimize What’s Left
6. Regularly Reassess and Refine

By emphasizing the essentials, this method allows room for complexity while keeping the focus on what’s important. Personally, I find this approach more efficient, and provides clarity from the start and helps me avoid wasting time and resources in non-essential tasks.

How I came to this

Over the past few years, I’ve explored various areas and concepts, but my experience with magfed paintball taught me the most about simplicity and essentials. In magfed game, you’re limited by what you can carry |paintball masks, a paintball marker (gun) with magazines that hold a fixed number of paintballs, and other gear.

With only a limited number of shots, you need to be efficient. Amidst the sweat, panic, and adrenaline, it taught you to stay calm under pressure. You quickly realize that carrying less weight not only makes you more mobile but also improves your ability to strategize and adapt.

By minimizing gear, I could move more freely, sneaking up on opponents and even performing the occasional impractical acrobatic “tacticool” roll to live out my action fantasies! These experiences shaped my approach to life: my mindset has become more pragmatic, and I prioritize durability, efficiency, and minimalism. I aim for simplicity and function in everything I carry, and over time, I’ve gravitated toward Minimalism and Zen philosophy, which both emphasize clarity and order.

Conclusion

“The art of less is not subtraction but refinement. What remains is what truly matters.”

This principle feels timeless, and I continue to apply and refine it as I go. While the specifics may change over time, the focus on essentials remains a constant.

---