Goals Like Bamboo: Rooted, Resilient, Ever-Growing

“We set goals based on who we are today, not who we’ll be when we reach them. It’s no surprise we end up disappointed — the person you’ll become might not care about the things you care about now.” (Inspired by Dan Gilbert’s insight on future desires)

The quote above is my rendition Dan Gilbert’s (author of ‘Stumbling on Happiness’) quote:

“We often set our goals based on who we are currently rather than who we will be when we achieve them, leading to dissatisfaction because our future selves may not find the same things fulfilling that we do now…”

Book Notes

We’re not as good at predicting happiness as we think. We make decisions based on what we want now, assuming our future selves will feel the same way — spoiler: they won’t. Bad things don’t hurt as much as we expect, and we’re great at adapting, even finding unexpected happiness when things don’t go as planned (blessings in disguise). The catch? Too much freedom and too many options often leave us feeling less satisfied (decision fatigue). And, comparing ourselves to others is the fastest way to ruin a good thing. In the end, happiness is less about getting what we want and more about learning to appreciate what we’ve got (gratitude, be in the present moment).

Here’s a quick and descriptive breakdown of the quote

Setting Goals for the Current Self: “Goals are like polaroids — they capture a moment, but by the time they develop, the moment’s gone.”

The Mismatch Between Evolved Identity and Original Goals: “Some goals wear you like old sweaters: stretched out, too tight in the wrong places, but you keep them on out of habit.”

Goals Should Evolve with You: “A good goal knows how to breathe. The real trick isn’t holding your breath; it’s knowing when to exhale and take another breath.”

Real-Life Application: “What felt urgent yesterday can feel foreign today. Stay loose. Stay open. Let your priorities catch their breath.”

In a Nutshell: “Don’t chase a static version of yourself. Who you’re becoming is always a little further down the road — and that’s where the real story is.”Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

📝 A Brief Note:

These are just my observations, not universal truths. I share ideas that have worked for me — take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. As Bruce Lee 🐉said,

“Life is your Teacher and you are in the state of constant learning…
Absorb what is useful; discard what is not; add what is uniquely your own.”

Back to Basics: Why Simple is King

In today’s fast-moving world, the instinct to do more — add more features, introduce more processes, and chase endless customization — feels like the natural path to success. But the truth is, sustainable growth and efficiency thrive on one core principle: simplicity.

Complexity vs. Simplicity: The Human Dilemma

Despite our universal desire for simplicity, we often sabotage ourselves with complexity. It creeps in subtly — more rules, more systems, more moving parts — until suddenly, we’re drowning in unnecessary complications. Why? Because complexity appears to be sophistication. We assume that bigger problems demand bigger solutions. But the reality? More complexity breeds confusion, inefficiency, and failure to execute.

As businesses grow, so does their self-importance. Large organizations often convince themselves their challenges are unique, leading them to adopt costly, overengineered solutions. But in most cases, their problems remain fundamentally simple — it’s their perception that distorts reality.

Simplicity Requires Courage

Simplicity is not easy. Brevity is even harder.

It’s one thing to say you want simplicity; it’s another to commit to it. The world looks at simplicity with being basic, a perception that makes many uncomfortable. The desire to feel special drives individuals and businesses to overcomplicate. Yet true sophistication lies in reducing problems to their most essential form.

Simplicity demands focus. It’s far easier to layer on tools and processes than to strip things down to what truly matters. Achieving simplicity takes discipline — and the courage to resist unnecessary complexity.

The Trap of Custom-Built Solutions

Many businesses fall into the bespoke solution trap, believing their issues require tailor-made tools. But custom solutions often introduce more inefficiencies than they solve. The problem isn’t a lack of tools — it’s a lack of clear frameworks.

Custom systems create an illusion of progress while silently adding layers of friction. In reality, off-the-shelf solutions often meet business needs with less overhead and greater reliability. Simplicity isn’t about stripping everything away — it’s about knowing what to keep.

Simplicity ≠ Basic

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” — Albert Einstein

Simplicity doesn’t mean stripping away depth — it means refining. A simple solution is often the most sophisticated one. Whether in business, design, or technology; clarity creates impact.

Writing, for example, follows the same rule: it’s easy to hide behind jargon and lengthy explanations, but it takes skill to communicate with clarity. The same applies to business. Simple solutions require intelligence, insight, and an ability to see through the noise.

Real-Life Lessons in Simplicity

Pinkberry: Simplicity Lost
Pinkberry’s initial success stemmed from its minimalist approach — two frozen yogurt flavors, no excess. This streamlined model fueled their rapid rise. But as they expanded, they introduced more flavors, toppings, and choices, diluting their original appeal. Complexity took over, and with it, their market dominance faded.

Southwest Airlines: Simplicity Wins
Southwest Airlines built a thriving business on simplicity. They operate a single type of aircraft — the Boeing 737 — drastically reducing training and maintenance costs. By eliminating assigned seating and meals, they kept operations lean and efficient. While competitors chased luxury, Southwest focused on what mattered: getting passengers from A to B on the cheap and reliably.

Simplifying Business Operations

Businesses accumulate processes, tools, and policies over time — often without questioning their necessity. The result? Digital hoarding. Successful companies regularly purge what no longer serves them. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it should be.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

“Sunflowers aren’t better than violets.” — Edna Ferber

Small businesses often mimic large corporations, assuming success comes from complexity. But what works for a 10,000-person company doesn’t necessarily work for a team of ten.

Being small is an advantage. Agility and simplicity allow smaller businesses to outmaneuver larger, red-tape heavy competitors. Instead of scaling complexity, small businesses should lean into their flexibility.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

“Ignorance isn’t not knowing — it’s believing something that isn’t true.” — Mark Twain

Some of the greatest innovations come from outsiders who don’t know “the rules.” Uber and Lyft weren’t created by taxi industry veterans — they were built by entrepreneurs who saw a simpler way.

“In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert’s, there are few.” — Shunryu Suzuki

Overcomplicated industries get disrupted by those who embrace simplicity. Sometimes, not knowing how things are supposed to work allows you to create something better.

Final Thoughts: Simplicity as a Strategy

Simplicity isn’t just a design philosophy — it’s a business strategy. By focusing on the essentials and eliminating distractions, businesses can innovate faster, execute more efficiently, and provide better experiences for their customers. But achieving simplicity requires intention. It’s not the easy path — it’s the right path.

Whether you’re leading a business, building a product, or organizing your workday, commit to simplicity. It may take discipline, but the payoff is undeniable.

Simplicity is the ultimate competitive advantage.

📝 A Brief Note:

These are just my observations, not universal truths. I share ideas that have worked for me — take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. As Bruce Lee 🐉said,

“Life is your Teacher and you are in the state of constant learning…
Absorb what is useful; discard what is not; add what is uniquely your own.”