Did you know the iPhone almost had 3 buttons on it instead of its signature single “home button” (or now Face ID)? The consensus of the team developing it in 2006 was to have a button for each major function, e.g. a “call”, “email”, and “internet” button. It makes sense in a way, right? Why not have quick access to the most popular functions at the time.
However, Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple, thought it looked too clunky, and corrupted the design principals of the phone (namely simplicity & timelessness). He held his ground, and there has always only been a single home button (or since 2017 Face ID). The iPhone remains one of the most highly regarded pieces of industrial design ever, not to mention one of the most world-changing inventions of all time.
Have you ever seen a 5 year or a Grandparent pick up an iPhone and start using it intuitively and immediately? This is the power of simplicity. The tricky part is simplicity is very hard. It can often mean having to saying no to things that are offered to us in the name of “making our lives easier”.
True simplicity is hidden deeper than that. It lives in a rare place that requires saying “no” more often than we say yes. It requires discipline, rather than an easy acceptance. It requires constant monitoring and deep reflection.
Why is this important for me? Simplicity is simple, but not easy. I'm reminded of a proverb I once heard: "if you want things to stay the same, things are going to have to change". Simplicity is a battle. It requires constant vigilance to free up your schedule, have less meetings, social engagements, clutter in your closet, gadgets in your home, etc. But the reward is magic. The more space and clarity you create in your life, the more room you create for amazing things to happen. Things that are clear, easy, intuitive, joyful, and wonderful. Like the iPhone (or at least how we felt about it when it first came out :)).
Blessings to you as always.
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