Simply, Apple

There are so many words and attributes that jump to mind when one thinks of the Apple founder, Steve Jobs, the one that came to me was simplicity. As I embark on designing a new company logo, simplicity was not my mantra, but I definitely had it in mind.

In so many ways Steve and his products are the embodiment of simplicity. Then I found his quote: "That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." – Steve Jobs Business Week interview, May 1998.

This was both a personal and business philosophy. Think about what he wore. A man that could have easily bought the best suits available and have clothing designers lining up to advice, fit and adjust, he chose instead the unassuming, low key, simple jeans and a black turtle neck. Then think about the logo, an apple with a bite. Then think about the products. Myth or not, it is said that when Job’s asked for a phone design that only had one button, half the design staff quit and the other told him it was impossible. Do you know that single discipline to simplicity is probably the design element that attracts most people to apple? I don’t think it could have been easy to go against the trend and choose simple as gadgets were getting more and more complex.

This got me thinking about my life in general. Why is it so hard to keep our lives simple? As I struggle to keep up with the demands of after school activities I am already planning what to get the kids for Christmas and their birthday – another after school activity! How can that be? I am looking forward to the end of the soccer season which would free up two days, but here I am already planning to fill them up. How do we stop the madness?

I am not the only one that has come to this realization of course. There is a growing industry of consultants, coaches, magazines that are dedicated to getting simple back into your life. There are people hard at work for us and ready to help us simplify our lives. Does it really take that much to not have too much?

Wether simplicity is your mantra or not, I invite you to participate in selecting the new coach2accomplish logo. It simply needs to convey the following: fulfilled; accomplishing life’s purpose; empowered to take on dreams and ambitions; having inner peace and calm; able to naturally embrace life’s transitions; renewed with a sense of purpose; excited about life’s possibilities.