Yan Maschke, September 22, 2017

Not only in writing, but also in everything, Simplicity is one of the virtues I uphold. Less is more.

Well, I am really not very good at it.  It is an aspiration, a journey, a state to being to strive for. 

In the world of "more", It's easy to defend our lack of or slow action by saying "if only I had" this or that, or "one day I will" do this or that.

Constraints can be viewed as limitations that inhibit forward movement towards the desired outcome, or it can be viewed as an engine that fuels creativity. 

This week I came across a great example, quoted in a short book called "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon.

After Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat with only 225 different words, his editor bet him he couldn’t write a book with only 50 different words. Dr. Seuss then wrote one of the bestselling children's books of all time with only 50 different words - Green Eggs and Ham.

Sounds intimidating, right? 

Dr. Seuss didn't let the constraint limit him. Instead, the limitation opened him up to one of his best works!

Is there something you have always wanted to do or accomplish (for yourself, your family, or within an organization), but simply didn't do because you thought you needed "more" of something (time, resource, confidence...)? 

I invite you to look at it as a fun challenge and take some actions to attain "more" with the "less" that you already have today. 

I encourage you to engage your entire being, activate multiple intelligence centers (head, heart, gut, body) so you move forward with total alignment (more about this alignment in future posts if you are interested). 

1. Write down what you want to start doing. This is about setting an intention and making a commitment (Intent / "Head" and "Gut").
2. Imagine how your life or your organization will be better as if you have already accomplished it. This is about eliciting positive emotions that open up our capacity (Emotions / "Heart").
3. Think about what you do have and make it a simple daily action. This is looking at it from the perspective of abundance vs. constraint, and planning actions. (Mind / "Head")
4. Start the daily action this week. This is about forward motion. (Action / "Body")
5. Celebrate and keep doing it! Celebrating each small win helps to maintain the positive emotions that feed continued action and momentum. (Emotions /"Heart")

What if this works for you too? Are you ready to try it? 

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