key ideas

Here are a few fundamental ideas – examples of original thinking – from previous white papers, from the current two books, and a variety of articles.

To start with, the concept of Simplifying is revisited as a sophisticated way of thinking, newly defined as “a process to resolve & reduce complexity”. It is even a true methodology – as in the 4 Laws of Simplifying (mental) with high level benefits:
1. Simplifying is an essential human need
2. Simplifying is a 3 step methodology
3. Simplifying brings effectiveness
4. Simplifying brings peace of mind.
This smart simplifying allows us to make issues clearer, shorter, easier, and is an efficient way to reduce issues and challenges down to a shortlist of priorities. This makes it a structured way of thinking & of working and a major management tool.

Building on this, but on a higher level, simplifying (mental & intellectual) becomes part of a way of getting to the essence of issues > the concept of

essentialize
get to the essence, focus on what’s truly essential in the way you think, live & work.

In short, this is the ultimate focused mindset for effectiveness in your pursuits and peace in your mind, to “bring out the best version of yourself, the superpower in you …”. The ultimate way to combat the existential pressure and uncertainty we face as human beings.
Essentialize your life, essentialize your work, are the essence of the current two books.

Throughout history many philosophers have proposed a vision or definition of “human”. Yet mostly they focus on how they would want humans to be, how they should be, such as inherently good or many other variants … an analytical and often moralizing approach. Here’s a short, descriptive, non judgmental approach to what it means to be human:

“ As humans each one of us is a complex mix of often contradictory thoughts, emotions and personality traits – both strong and weak, sensitive and insensitive, social and antisocial, compassionate and jealous, loving and hating, logical and irrational … Individually strong in some areas and weak in others.
Our gift of free thinking makes us capable of self-reflection, of constructive thought, and gives us an unlimited imagination. This is a challenging combination that leads to a mind filled with questions and doubts, fears, dreams and aspirations … .“

Even though there is already a lot of key information in here, in the end it is still a shorthand statement … It conveniently leaves out some fundamentals like, as “biological beings” we know hunger, cold and fear from birth, and especially, “we are mortal”, our single most determining factor …
Nevertheless this summary hits the nail on the head. As the first version of “a universal declaration of human nature” it is effective and useful for general use, a concrete reminder of some of our key characteristics, of who and what we are – not as an ideological choice but as a statement of fact, not in any way moralizing – arguably to be used at the starting point of any human philosophy, analysis or therapy.
It is essential for having a lucid vision of our expectations, of our potential success and achievement. Reversely, ignoring our quintessential human nature only leads to a lot of confused ideas and erroneous thoughts …

“A clear & focused mind makes for a clear & focused life and work.”

Yet often we are our own worst enemy, with our own mind as the main source of sabotage, more than our actual means or external pressures and threats. Self-sabotage from a lack of belief in ourselves, lack of motivation, confusion in our head on what matters most or on how to go about things … If only we could control our mind more, this fickle mind filled with expectations, dreams, questions and doubts, with the overwhelming pressure of all the things we need to do, and want to do, the pressure to be a better person.

This is why a clear & focused mind is probably the highest we can aim for. What could be more beautiful or aspirational than finding clarity in our complex, confusing and confused world? Finding clarity & focus in our mind, in our emotions, in our beliefs and vision of life. But it is also our biggest challenge, to embrace clear ideas, keeping confused and muddled thoughts at bay. This is especially so since it is virtually impossible to universally define what “clear” ideas are, “truths” versus “untruths”; what we do have are some practical guides to clear thinking, that include: clearly define the key word-concepts used, make assumptions explicit, eliminate fallacies.
A clear & focused mind is also intimately linked to peace of mind and a strong mind – steady, serene, focused on what’s essential – the true indispensable base for any form of happiness – the ultimate mental state we can aspire to, of mental focus, mental peace, mental strength.