One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple
without dumbing it down.
Leonardo da Vinci famously said -
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
I have noticed that the best blogs I read are simple. Simple to read, yet they present the most complex ideas.
And there lies the genius.
They don’t try to overload you with information or try to show you how clever they are. The genius is in telling people exactly what they want to know — quickly and simply.
Simplicity — be it in writing, products, relationships or life is difficult to achieve
So how do a few do that?
Taking cues from Steve Jobs
There are 3 things about Steve Jobs which I found unconventional yet very powerful:
- He hated PowerPoint Presentations — he said that people who know what they are talking about do not need slides. He wanted people to cut through the clutter and focus on the issue.
2. He had a tendency to see things in a binary way — you are either a hero or a bozo. A product is either amazing or shit. There’s nothing in between. Ruthlessly rejecting ideas (even your own and especially your own) takes courage.
3. He (in)famously said, “People don’t know what they want.” He would not give people too many options and risk having them wander off.
Taking cues from favourite bloggers
Here are a few observations which I made to help myself get better at Keeping It Simple.
- Easy on eyes
Formatting serves as a visual guide to the readers. It should take them right where the reader gets the maximum value for their time.
2. Consciously avoid fluff
As Mark Twain said, “Don’t let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.” Need I say more?
3. Use active voice
Active voice sentences make the writing personal. It makes the author real. The writing is more engaging, and the sentences are shorter and simpler.
This is something I shudder doing. I find it more comfortable hiding behind the words. Call it a personality flaw but the knowledge that my family or friends might read what I have to say makes me want to keep it as passive as possible and disappear into the oblivion without having to reveal my thoughts. I think I need to learn that it’s ok to take up space.
Also, whenever I struggle with this, I try to remind myself of the ‘Spotlight Effect’, which says that people actually do not notice you as much as you think they do. They have their own life to worry about. So you might as well do as you please!
4. Be a miser
Every word spent must be powerful and contribute to the bigger purpose of the writing
5. Be a ruthless editor
Look for unnecessary words, sentences and phrases that can be trimmed or rewritten so as to tighten up the writing. Let your writing simmer for a day in the drafts, and revisit with fresh eyes.
6. Don’t flex your jargon
It is very tempting to use terms and add everything you know. There is so much to communicate and you don’t want to miss out on any details. But the reader is not here to worship you for your knowledge. They want to know what’s in it for them.
Persuasion Paradox : Less is more
Have you noticed that people who argue aggressively to convince others, never convince anyone of anything?
The more you try to persuade and assert your point, the less effective you become.
In a world full of excess, we want something that doesn't scream at us for attention.
The Dilemma
My biggest vice is that I’m too much in love with all the backstories, substories, unnecessary trivia and etymology, to omit any of these. I love the small details and rabbit holes I can get lost in, as the more I get lost the more it opens up my thinking.
I know that there is always a risk of diluting the point and killing the interest; but I still struggle with this as writing for me is cathartic. My aim has never been to lure readers but just share thoughts and ideas, and learn in the process.
But I guess brevity and simplicity is still important because getting rid of excess brings out clarity of thought. It is like decluttering your house. We might be hoarding too many things in anticipation that it might come in handy one day, but it only makes it difficult it find what we are actually looking for.
Finally
It is very easy to make anything complex but a lot harder to keep it simple. It needs a lot of thought, analysis, and a premeditated approach without losing sight of your goal. It takes a lot to stay focussed and chop off the unnecessary - even in life.
Details have its time and place (may be in hyperlinks to separate notes), but by keeping it simple you create the greatest impact.
And till you get there — keep trying!
