Simple is not easy.

Its simple to do the right thing in any situation, but most of the time it is neither easy to discern, nor to act on.

The discernment is the first and possibly most challenging step. This requires much reflection and patience.

Once you have identified the overall goal, it is easier to understand the steps to progressing.

To simplify, and once you have removed the obviously superfluous, you can also:

• Delegate
• Habituate
• Automate

If there is something that you do daily, can you automate it? Is there a way of making technology support you, so you don’t need to worry about it?

If you can afford it and have no love for it, or no skill for it, can you delegate it?

If you have to do it yourself, can you make it a habit so that it is an unconsious process?

Looking at 2 common goals, weight loss and fitness.

Very broad brush and one reason why most people fail is that there is no end point, and therefore no positive feedback or marker of success.

Rather than weight loss, focus on improving a marker for health thats pertinent to your, whether that is HbA1c (a long term marker of blood sugar), cholesterol, blood pressure and so forth. The changes you will make to improve those will often have a positive side effect of improving your weight as well. Or, improve your height to waist ratio, which will have the same outcome.

How? Simplify – remove the things from your cupboards that you know tempt you, or ask people to reduce your access to them. Delegate: See input from a qualified professional who can provide both motivation and expert guidance towards your goal, not just an internet celebrity. Automate: Set up reminders,

With fitness, choose an event you wish to complete. Then tell people about it. By putting a public commitment up, you will have more drive to do the work necessary to succeed. And you will improve your fitness almost as a side effect.