“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” ~ Hans Hoffman
It is good practice to make a regular review of the systems you use to govern the factors and administer the details of your world, whether at work or at home. What may have been fitting weeks, months or years ago may no longer meet the need, but you might not realize it if you continue to run your life on autopilot.
The inefficiencies of life come in two primary forms: acute and chronic. The acute form is perhaps the most obvious, when, say the right tool is unavailable and a poor substitute is used such as a screwdriver handle is used to hammer a nail. The less obvious, but more prevalent form of inefficiencies are those that build up over time. You see this quite often in business settings, where a system is developed to compensate for weaknesses in the available pool of personnel and then months or years later the same system exists even though most or all of the actors have changed.
It helps to have a goal in mind – some form of greater simplicity – when reviewing the systems in use. One such goal that we reference regularly in my companies is that of making it easier for our clients to do business with us. You’d be amazed at how much of the underlying infrastructure in a company can have nothing to do with the goal of making it easier for the client to do business with you.
“Can I do this more simply?” is a question well worth asking, not just once, but regularly.
Gregory Hake 
This is something that should be a constant process of refinement. Especially in a business setting, there can be a lot of systems that are in place throughout the organization. None of those systems should be off limits for change if you see an acute issue, but there should also be a systematic process of review where certain systems or categories of systems are checked every so often. This kind of analysis makes it so nothing ever gets put on a pedestal as “the way we do things here”, because that kind of thinking will become very limiting over time.
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The ability to simplify does take observation of what needs to go and what needs to be further simplified. Once observed obviously action is requred to do the necessary thing. Thank you for bringing to mind such clarification. As I accept responsibility to do what is required in my life I also observe the elements of resistance and sabotage that arise. As we were speaking of the warrior spirit in regards to the passing of our friend it is obvious also that it is this spirit that is essential for movement forward. As I been keen to play my part in allowing our friend to move onward and upward I have marveled and have treasured the greater reception of his spirit into my life. The warrior spirit brings a fire for the burning of the old and the coming of the new. Thank you for your forum to allow for all things to be made new.
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A well conceived and up-to-date system is elegant and satisfying, as it facilitates whatever operations may be needed in a given situation. It is an escellent point, however, that systems can become outdated quickly in some cases, emphasizing the necessity for regular review. Such review squares the processes and activities back to their various elements of purpose, and if something is missing or has changed, it will be apparent.
Often enough a system can be refreshed with just minor adjustments, assuming that all involved are flexible and not thoughtlessly wedded to the exisiting system.
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Many things we do in daily living originate during a specific chapter in life like raising kids or a different job etc. I like your idea to review. It could make it easier on us!
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That is such a great question and certainly worthy of consideration in all aspects of our lives.
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On a personal level, this would include our various habits and routines that we’ve managed to put together. I suppose if some new outcome is desired, some greater goal that we have not yet achieved, we should look to any area which is consuming more than is actually necessary to free up valuable and often hidden resources. That’s a good first step that a positive outlook affords – where is the opening within my present circumstances that I need to move forward?
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