It’s That Simple!

Never say “it’s not that simple” I’ve noticed how people use this expression anytime they can’t face an argument or a situation, or don’t have anything to reply in a discussion. Not only is it always easy and often derogatory to tell someone that their vision is too simplistic or naive, but mainly it’s a cowardly way to not face reality. When you’re too afraid of discussing a specific topic or of doing something – you say “it’s not that simple”.

Things are pretty simple in most cases – we make them complicated and hide behind this invented complexity as an excuse for not doing something or for not facing the reality. For example starting a business is pretty simple – you just have to start doing it. It’s that simple. Yet people will always tell you that “it’s not that simple”. They’ll tell you that you need to have funding, you need to know the field really well, you need to have this or that degree, and there are all these rules and regulations and licenses… bullshit! That’s just hiding behind imagined complexity. Things are really simple and people are really afraid of that. How are you going to feel better about not living your dream if it’s actually quite simple to live it? It makes you feel better and safe when you can say to yourself that “it’s complicated” and “there’s a lot to take into account”.

When having a discussion with someone, have you noticed that you use that expression when you can’t deal with the arguments you are faced with? It’s a good escape to say that “it’s not that simple” or “it’s not that easy”. And it makes you feel better and superior when somewhere inside you’re thinking “damn! that’ right! it is that simple!”

This expression is also used when people are afraid of transparency. Sometimes you are actually doing something – running a business or whatever. So you realize that it is actually that simple. You know that you just have to do it. Sure you need to acquire the skills and experience, sure you need to work hard and persevere. But there’s no complicated mysterious thing about it. And the only way is to get started and do it. But for some reason many people feel really good when everyone around them thinks what they do is really complicated. When it’s not that simple. So they foster this mysterious aura about what they do, or even about their entire field in general, instead of fostering transparency and openness.

There are of courses cases when things aren’t so simple. Usually that’s when we make them really complicated! Like tax rules in most countries. Taxes are (or should be) really simple. But they’re made into a complicated and idiotic system by most governments in the world. Why? Well, that will be the topic of another article!

Thanks for reading! Do you have any examples about things being “that simple”? Please share them in the comments below!