Simplicity For the Win

Later today, I’ll be hosting a workshop in Los Angeles about getting a better grasp on our finances. The general expectation in the room will likely be for me to launch into a diatribe about budgeting, spending less, and saving more. If I’m being honest, that would be boring. For as simple as that topic is, I want to go even more simple. Behind this idea is my theory that we humans tend to overcomplicate things every step of the way…..our money included.

Asking someone to do simple things when they’ve already structured their base financial life in an unintentionally complex way is a fool’s errand. This is one of the biggest reasons people are unable to change and make positive strides with their finances. To get one level simpler, I like to discuss core values, basic account structure, and to gain self-awareness of what’s happening in their life. It’s only then we can move into budgeting and other similar topics. Once we know some of these basics, we can begin the process of simplifying and consolidating to whatever extent is needed.

If we start complex with our finances, it will inevitably get more complex over time. If we start simple, we have a chance to build simple. Then if we build simple, we have a chance to continue building simple. It takes a lot of intentionality, but it’s worth the endeavor.

“Travis, you try to make things too simple.” That’s one of the best insults I can get. If someone is thinking that, then I know we’re on the right track. Complex doesn’t mean we’re smart or sophisticated. It just means we are complex. Simplicity, on the other hand, can free us and empower us. The simpler we can make it, the less brain power and more energy we can put behind it.

So ask yourself the same question I try to ask myself (and my clients) on a regular basis: “Is there a way to make this simpler?” If the answer is yes, we have work to do. If the answer is no, then we’re as simple as we need to be. Simplicity for the win.