“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci
It’s incredible what we can accomplish in a short time with intense focus. But here’s the secret: intense focus isn’t just about effort—it’s about
eliminating distraction. When we remove the unnecessary, we create the space and clarity to zero in on what truly matters.
1. The Time Audit: Where Does Your Day Really Go?
Start by auditing a typical week. You might be shocked at what you find.
Most people spend over 2 hours per day watching TV—and that doesn’t even include phone use. Let’s estimate 4 hours per day lost to
low-value distractions. That’s 28 hours a week— almost two full days of waking time, gone.
Imagine reclaiming that time. That’s time you could use to:
- Learn a new skill or language
- Exercise and improve your health
- Read the books you’ve started (but never finished)
- Build the life you say you want
Time isn’t the issue—intention is.
2. Cutting the Fat in Relationships
This principle applies to your social circle, too. The people you spend the most time with shape your identity, mindset, and habits.
Trying to quit drinking? Learn a new skill? Build a business? Notice who supports you—and who doesn’t. Negative people rarely show their hand directly. They show it through subtle jabs, sarcasm, or lack of encouragement.
Success (or failure) is often determined by your surroundings. If you’re lucky enough to be around people who hold you accountable and challenge you
to improve—hold onto them tightly. If not, be honest and cut ties where necessary.
Your environment is either feeding your growth or fighting it.
3. Mastery in Sport: The Jab That Built Champions
Let’s apply this to training—say, in boxing.
Every sport has a few fundamentals that drive 80% of success. In boxing, one of them is the jab. It’s the most important punch: it sets up offense,
creates distance, and disrupts opponents.
And yet, most people treat it as basic. They move on too quickly. But real growth lives in the details. The best boxers in the world practice their jab daily—with purpose. They record their training, analyze their technique, and refine it again and again.
True mastery is not about variety. It’s about depth.
Champions aren’t doing random workouts. They repeat a simple plan with extreme consistency.
4. The Shokunin Way: A Life of Focused Craftsmanship
This philosophy is embodied in the Japanese concept of shokunin—the pursuit of perfection through craftsmanship.
In the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Jiro Ono dedicates his entire life to perfecting sushi—a dish with only a handful of ingredients. But
in that simplicity lies infinite depth.
Shokunin is based on:
- Lifelong pursuit of improvement
- Pride in one’s work
- Attention to detail
- Passing on knowledge
- Contributing to society through craft
This is what "keeping it simple" really means—choosing depth over distraction.
5. Clean Eating: Clarity from the Inside Out
Your diet is another area where simplicity wins. The gut thrives on consistency. Constantly introducing random, processed foods creates chaos, leading to stomach issues, fatigue, and poor performance.
Go back to basics:
- Quality protein (buy in bulk directly from farms)
- Seasonal vegetables and fruits
- Whole carbs (sweet potatoes, rice, homemade bread)
- Good fats (invest in high-quality olive oil)
- Clean preparation
Less food means better digestion, better sleep, and better balance.
Less is more—especially with what you put in your body.
6. From Junkyard to Sanctuary: A Backyard Transformation
Let me give you a final, personal example.
When we bought our house, the backyard was a mess—mud, trash trees, and random junk. It had potential, but no purpose. The first step? Eliminate
everything that didn’t belong.
We replaced mud with turf and gravel. We added a sauna, cold plunge, outdoor shower, lighting, and a putting green. The transformation came not from piling more on—but by clearing the space first.
As Michelangelo said:
“It’s simple. I just remove everything that is not David.”
Final Thoughts: The Power of Less
Addition by subtraction is not just a productivity hack—it’s a philosophy. Remove what doesn’t matter, and what remains becomes powerful.
Whether it’s your time, your habits, your relationships, your training, or your environment—
clarity comes through elimination.
Start subtracting.
Start simplifying.
Start seeing real results.
