Simplicity - Part 4

Simplicity is a result of clarity and focus. If you don't have clarity and focus then you have no rationale for saying NO. Clarity and focus help you know what to say NO to and when to say it. If you want to be good at a few things you have to say NO to many things, and if you want to be great at one thing then you need to say NO to almost everything.

People will always want you to expand your services, add more features, or make more products. They will try to convince you it is the right thing for you to do by demonstrating the need or showing you it can be profitable. They will say something like...you do that so well why don't you try this...

Here's the thing, they aren't really trying to make you better, they are really trying to get you to meet their wants or needs. Unfortunately more often than not, if you continue to add features, products or programs, at some point you won't be great at what you started with, because you aren't focused on it anymore.

This is why a clear mission is so important, both personally and professionally, especially in the non-profit world. A clear mission allows you to say NO. If your mission is not clear enough and focused enough that it allows you to say NO, then do yourself a favor, rewrite it now.

You can't be everything to everyone. At least not with a high level of quality.

Simplicity - Part 1
Simplicity - Part 2
Simplicity - Part 3