At Amplified people, we love simple models and principles that help us to grow our business and improve performance.
So, here are three really simple ideas that can help you amplify your results for little investment.
# 1. The KISS Principle
Keep it simple and straightforward!
Initially noted as a design principle for the US Navy in the '60s, The KISS Principle states that simplicity should be the key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.
This is because too much complexity "kills motivation" in human beings.
When it comes to pitching an idea – Too much complexity kills the motivation to listen
When it comes to buying something – Too much complexity kills the motivation to buy
Ironically, even when incentivising people, too much complexity in the incentive structure kills the motivation to act - negating the effect.
Studies also show that building complexity into a business kills productivity and innovation.
As companies grow and bring on new layers of management and complexity, much of the initial creative energy is lost, and both engagement and performance start to dip.
Why? – because we only have so much bandwidth, we can only process a limited amount of information.
Too much complexity makes things more challenging for us to understand. It creates friction in our decision making and slows us down.
When things seem simple, it makes the choice easier. Things seem clear and we make faster decisions, we trust the process more.
We think - That seems straightforward. I'll do it.
So, choose to keep things simple and start eliminating complexity from your day, business, and life.
Start by:
Focusing on a smaller number of to-do's each day (3 -5 max!)
Making it easier for your customers to buy from you (simplify the process)
Simplify your pitch or offer and make it easy to understand (keep it simple)
Look at everything you do and start to eliminate excess and simplify processes.
It's easy to overcomplicate things in our complex world and keep layering on more, but that strategy just isn't sustainable – Keep it Simple!
# 2. People commit to what they help create!
Human beings are motivated by autonomy, mastery and a sense of connection and meaning.
If you want to create engagement and buy-in from your people into your next company goal, product or venture, you've got to let those people contribute ideas and feedback. We all love to have our say, provide input and feel appreciated. The fastest way to get people on board is to involve them in the creation of your plans, products and projects, this builds engagement and a sense of accountability. So, if you want your team to buy into your idea, if you want them engaged and committed, find a way to let them contribute to it, run focus groups and ideation sessions – get their ideas, involve them in the process.
Gain deeper levels of commitment by
Asking people for their input and advice
Getting people involved with planning
Hearing what others have to say, their opinions, perspectives
This goes for employees, clients and all stakeholders. People will support and commit to what they help create.
# 3. Focus on the positives and celebrate the small wins!
It's incredible in business how much we tend to focus on negatives.
This is because we have a built-in bias geared towards identifying threats to ensure our survival, psychologists call this, the negativity bias.
Human beings tend to notice, learn from and be affected more by negative rather than positive information, which is capitalized on by the news, media and advertising companies that often bombard us with negative fear-inducing information to gain our attention.
Unfortunately, focusing on threats and negativity all the time can make us pretty unhappy and affect our decision-making, well-being and relationships.
When we stop focusing on all the negative's and start focusing on the positives, even the small wins, we begin to experience more positive emotions, creating stronger motivation and better engagement in our lives and the workplace.
Research has shown that optimistic salespeople outsell their pessimistic counterparts by 56% and that unhappy workers on average take an extra 15 sick days per year, so it really pays to cultivate more optimism in our lives and in our workplaces.
Start focusing on the positives by
Celebrating success & progress, especially the small wins
Showing appreciation and gratitude to the people in your life, your friends, partners, colleagues, customers
Scanning your environment for the good in things, situations and people
If you start focusing on the progress you're making, you'll be surprised by how much happier, more motivated and energized you'll start to feel.
It's a slight shift in perspective but it can significantly impact your results.
There you have it, three simple ideas you can apply right now that cost nothing and will produce amplified results in your life, business and relationships.
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