Response & Reflection to FAST Company "Keep it Simple" by Clark Montgomery

FAST Company

"Keep it Simple"

First, I thoroughly enjoyed Clark's perspective. I appreciate his candor and wry sense of humor. He is very practical, but seems to have great insight on the ideas and concepts many of the authors present.

Clark discussed the article, "Keep it Simple" from the perspective a "simplicity guru" and former real-estate tycoon, Elaine St. James. She talked about how full and complicated our lives are. I could certainly identify with my life and the lives of other Extension Educators in terms of never having time or energy to do the things we'd like. In fact, whenever we try to schedule an event, it's almost impossible to find a date that is open for everyone.

St. James talks about five principles to help simplify our lives and Clark discusses them in the article. St. James talks about freeing up time in both the work place and the job although she quotes a Time/CNN poll that people still spend 65% of their leisure time doing things they don't want to do. She talks about utilizing the method of personal reflection as a remedy to help us understand why we do what we do, hoping a way to correct it will evolve. Her second point was very simple and direct, that was to do less, and you will have more time.

Her third point was utilizing the phrase "no" and prioritizing the things you want to do. St. James believes you can only handle three. If family and work are first and second, then you only have one left and if you want things simpler, figure it out.

St. James' fourth point was that we are "slaves to our possessions". She elaborates that it takes significant time and money to buy these toys that complicate life. I liked her advice, and I think Clark did too, of waiting 30 days before making any new purchase and then if you still want it, buy it then.

Her last point, what really matters iswhat really matters is a summation of all her principles. She stresses people have to have an understanding with themselves and about what is truly important in their life. Then they will focus on those priorities and their life will become happier and simpler. The key, as Clark and St. James saw this, was freeing up the time for reflection to reach that intellectual plane.

I agree with Clark's perspective that the article did bring focus to some basic concepts that many of us overlook in our daily existence. As Clark noted, these concepts certainly weren't a "news flash" to most of us, but they were practical and sensible in terms of comprehension and implementation. I like the point of personal reflection and discovering our inner self. I believe it is the first step in making change. I also agree with Clark that it's not that easy to say no or give things up when you have an active family, demanding job and many social and personal commitments. I believe it's important to ask the questions and review the point St. James makes and then balance them with the priorities you have decided on.

--James B. Nesseth (jnesseth@extension.umn.edu), October 20, 1999

-- Anonymous, October 21, 1999