I’m a simple man, and over the years, I’ve come to realize that simplicity is my greatest tool. I keep things straightforward because it lets me take action without hesitation. Life, relationships, fitness—if I notice something getting complicated, I know it’s time to cut through the clutter and focus on what truly matters. That’s how I make things work. When I simplify, I create a path forward, a way to actually get things done.

Take my approach to health, for example. I’m the type of person who’ll follow an instruction manual exactly as it’s laid out. I don’t skip steps or try to jump ahead. I keep the pieces organized just like they’re labeled in the guide, and I follow each instruction, step by step, until the job is done. When it comes to my fitness, I designed my own rules to live by—simple, effective rules that are easy to follow because I treat them like laws.

One of my basic rules is that I have daily activity goals that I must meet. This isn’t negotiable. On top of that, I set a calorie ceiling—a limit I can’t cross under any circumstances. These aren’t just guidelines; they’re my own personal laws, and I think of them with the same respect I’d give to any rule or law. It’s easy to follow a rule when it’s clear, simple, and non-negotiable. It’s not a matter of ‘if I feel like it’—these rules are my baseline, my foundation.

Having these rules in place keeps me consistent, and consistency is the real power behind progress. I don’t leave room for negotiation or emotions to muddy the waters. Once I’ve set something as a ‘must-do,’ it’s my duty, plain and simple. And that duty becomes habit.

My workouts follow the same kind of simplicity. I don’t waste time debating which workout to do or wondering if I should go for a run or lift weights. My week has a clear schedule—strength training and cardio are assigned to specific days, and I stick to that plan. By keeping it simple and scheduled, I’m able to measure my progress week by week, month by month. I know exactly where I’m improving and where I need to put in more work.

This approach means I’m doing more and thinking less. Don’t get me wrong—thinking is important, but too much thinking can trap you in an endless cycle of planning and worrying. You spend so much time trying to find the perfect plan that you forget to actually take the first step. I know that from experience. The areas in my life where I took action, even if it wasn’t perfect, are the areas where I’ve seen real progress. Meanwhile, the ideas I overthought are still collecting dust. They might even be the answer to something big, but until I pull them out of the drawer, simplify them, and act on them, they’re just thoughts with potential.

I’ve realized it’s time to start looking at those ideas, one by one. I need to keep what’s useful, simplify what feels too complicated, and give them life through action. Because here’s the thing—simple doesn’t mean small or insignificant. Simple means clear, direct, and achievable. It’s about focusing on the essentials and making sure each step counts. When I let go of the extra, I create room for what truly matters.

I think a lot of us can relate to the urge to overcomplicate. It’s easy to get caught up in analyzing, planning, and second-guessing. But the truth is, every moment we spend thinking of the perfect approach is a moment we’re not taking action. And action is what moves us forward. So, I encourage you to take a look at the things in your life that feel tangled or overly complicated. Ask yourself: what could you simplify? What small, clear actions can you take right now?

When we cut through the noise and focus on what’s necessary, we add to our journey and achievements. We’re able to move forward with confidence, knowing each step is a step toward the life we want to create. Simplicity isn’t just a way to ‘get by’—it’s a strategy to thrive, to grow, and to keep moving.

Let’s commit to simplifying, to letting go of what holds us back, and to adding to our own journey every single day.