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Keep It Simple: Unclutter Your Mind to Uncomplicate Your Life
A Forbes Best Business Book of 2016 We live in a world that becomes more complex everyday, and cluttered processes and complications are the enemies of control in your life and your business. But with simplification and focus as your pillars, Keep It Simple teaches you how to take charge of your goals and your life. By gaining clarity on what is truly most important, you can streamline your life, reduce stress, and achieve the personal and business results that you desire. With over 30 years of experience as a consultant and coach to top performing businesses and individuals, Joe Calloway is an expert in how to focus and simplify. Simplicity is a choice that creates positive growth and change in your work, home, and day to day life. When you make things simple, you can move mountains.
88 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 30, 2017
The book takes from it's title. Short and simple, without much information I did not already read somewhere else. I was hoping for some golden nuggets, but did not find any. The book served more to reinforce concepts. I would recommend this book to a reader who is just starting to read about declutter & minimalism.
July 22, 2019
A quick read (seriously, it only took me a half hour) that was more like a PowerPoint than a book. It had a bunch of tips the author learned from various CEOs and included recycled concepts that echoed Thoreau's "simplify, simplify" passage. It was laid out in an attractive format which made it easier to read, but was too short and shallow for anything above a 2 star rating.
April 2, 2024
The 2-star reviews are based on wanting this book to be more complex.
Oh, the irony! 😂
Read that again.
I get it though.
Wanting more can be a tough habit to break.
I struggle with it.
I am using every ounce of effort to keep this review simple.
If you want dazzling insights about being successful...
You won't find it here.
This book delivers on its core message:
Keep it simple.
For that: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
But why did I rate the book as a whole just 3 stars?
On the About-The-Author page, it says:
"Joe Calloway is a leading performance expert who helps great companies get even better."
I kid you not, on the very next page, it says:
"Joe has been a business author, coach, and speaker for thirty years, and his client list reads like an international Who's Who in business, ranging from companies like Coca-Cola..."
Stop right there! 🫸
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"coca-cola..."—is poison. It is depression in a can.
It makes me question Joe's integrity.
But I think its just ignorance.
I feel he means well for the companies and ultimately the people he works with.
And it sounds like it was written by the Publisher, so I can't completely fault Joe.
But I know if I allowed my book to go out with that message, I couldn't be at peace with myself.
Perhaps 'great' was referring to the great size and influence of the company.
But I feel it should have at least mentioned Coca-Cola's influence isn't great for humanity's Soul.
And if that's unviable due to being threatened for defamation—don't include it at all.
Nit-picking much?
Perhaps...
Perhaps its time to go back to...
Keeping it simple.
Do I recommend this book for those looking to be more successful in life or business?
Yes.
But let the message sink in:
Keep it simple.
Apply it.
And don't expect any dazzling insights.
Oh, the irony! 😂
Read that again.
I get it though.
Wanting more can be a tough habit to break.
I struggle with it.
I am using every ounce of effort to keep this review simple.
If you want dazzling insights about being successful...
You won't find it here.
This book delivers on its core message:
Keep it simple.
For that: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
But why did I rate the book as a whole just 3 stars?
On the About-The-Author page, it says:
"Joe Calloway is a leading performance expert who helps great companies get even better."
I kid you not, on the very next page, it says:
"Joe has been a business author, coach, and speaker for thirty years, and his client list reads like an international Who's Who in business, ranging from companies like Coca-Cola..."
Stop right there! 🫸
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"great companies..."
"coca-cola..."
"coca-cola..."—is poison. It is depression in a can.
It makes me question Joe's integrity.
But I think its just ignorance.
I feel he means well for the companies and ultimately the people he works with.
And it sounds like it was written by the Publisher, so I can't completely fault Joe.
But I know if I allowed my book to go out with that message, I couldn't be at peace with myself.
Perhaps 'great' was referring to the great size and influence of the company.
But I feel it should have at least mentioned Coca-Cola's influence isn't great for humanity's Soul.
And if that's unviable due to being threatened for defamation—don't include it at all.
Nit-picking much?
Perhaps...
Perhaps its time to go back to...
Keeping it simple.
Do I recommend this book for those looking to be more successful in life or business?
Yes.
But let the message sink in:
Keep it simple.
Apply it.
And don't expect any dazzling insights.
January 29, 2019
A very simple book. Only 20-30 minute read. Good takeaways though not in detail. It is like reading a notepad of your favorite quotes.
My takeaways are
Keep schedules simple (4 blocks per day)
Simplify and focus. Focus means clarity. Clarity means knowing what is important. Simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. What matters the most?
Focus on a few things that count. Simplicity begins with focus.. What is most important??
Very few people give thought on life and work. They are successful
Doing everything they can think of is the most likely root of the problem
Don't do most things. Do most important things
In business, if you win on the basics, you win it all. These guys get it right every single time. The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus on your individual goals, and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.
Winners take basics to a new level. Be the best at what mattered most.
We can always chose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.
The successful warrior is the average man with laser like focus
Our life is frittered away by detail ... Simplify simplify simplify .. I say, let your affairs be two or three, not 100 or 1000. Having 20 priorities means no priorities
The ultimate sophistication is simplicity. Plain spoken and clearly defined. Explain to 6 yr old.
Goal, plan, action
Just like you clean your refrigerator, you periodically need to simplify and get focused by doing a version of cleaning out.
Have a "to do" list and have "to let go" of list
My takeaways are
Keep schedules simple (4 blocks per day)
Simplify and focus. Focus means clarity. Clarity means knowing what is important. Simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. What matters the most?
Focus on a few things that count. Simplicity begins with focus.. What is most important??
Very few people give thought on life and work. They are successful
Doing everything they can think of is the most likely root of the problem
Don't do most things. Do most important things
In business, if you win on the basics, you win it all. These guys get it right every single time. The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus on your individual goals, and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.
Winners take basics to a new level. Be the best at what mattered most.
We can always chose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.
The successful warrior is the average man with laser like focus
Our life is frittered away by detail ... Simplify simplify simplify .. I say, let your affairs be two or three, not 100 or 1000. Having 20 priorities means no priorities
The ultimate sophistication is simplicity. Plain spoken and clearly defined. Explain to 6 yr old.
Goal, plan, action
Just like you clean your refrigerator, you periodically need to simplify and get focused by doing a version of cleaning out.
Have a "to do" list and have "to let go" of list
October 15, 2019
Some decent quotes peppered through a book filled with things I've already read elsewhere that ultimate made for a an overall letdown. I admit I stopped to laugh for quite a bit after reading the page where Steve Jobs is described as being "a good role model." Yeah. The guy that screwed over pretty much every partner he ever had was a good role model. Right. Not the people that actually toiled behind the scenes and made the products he dreamed up. Did he invent the iPod? He invented the concept of it. Then some underpaid peons worked tirelessly to make it a real thing, only for Jobs to hop on stage and take full credit for it. That's not a role model. That's a maniacal tyrant standing on the backs of little people. "A good role model." What a joke.
June 14, 2019
Easy coffee table read. Recommended by my father who bought the book on his way home from a business trip. Not sure whether this is a hint or a jab to my cluttered personality or his own ..ahha. Finished it in one sitting, much of it is somethings that you would already know yourself but still a good reminder on what to focus on when things seems to get to much on your plate.
December 4, 2024
Lots of great nuggets without fluff. Be careful it’s so dense and short you will read it all without taking the time to bear any of it. This books may be the most valuable book I’ve read outside the Bible. It’s def top pick for sure!
Read it through once then go
Back and read it where you can take the time to hear it.
Read it through once then go
Back and read it where you can take the time to hear it.
March 5, 2019
It's too short way below my expectation. This book is all about keeping it simple but it's too simple I can't get any solution from reading this. It's quite overprice too for a book that contains too many pictures and quotes. I'm sorry but this book is upsetting.
September 8, 2019
I just picked this book on a whim at my local library. Within an hour finished reading it. Felt so light and clear in my head. The ‘let it go’ list had everything I am struggling with. So simple as the title of the book! Glad I read it
November 1, 2020
I’m also keep my review simple:
Read it.
Read it.
February 2, 2021
Make everything simple so you can focus on what you are doing. Making things complicated slows us down, makes bad decisions, and scatters our effort. The simple things in life make it all worthwhile.
August 7, 2021
Easy and enjoyable to read. Great reminder
February 4, 2022
In my opinion this is how all the books should be like. Just like this beautiful one. Very simple and focused idea. 100 pages. With beautiful design and colors. Just a perfect read.
March 12, 2022
Quick page turner that reminds you of the value of simplicity—focus and clarity.
October 12, 2022
Very light book and do not so much content
February 8, 2017
An extremely quick read that had a lot of good nuggets in it. I enjoyed the book.
June 16, 2021
True to its' title, the contents were simple and straightforward. Mini epiphany after finishing it that I was complicating shit in my life which is why I'm so stressed like I knew this but it highlighted the fact or it reminded me I guess? I loved it. I will reread it again every now and then to serve as a reminder.
January 9, 2023
Great, simple read (see what I did there) that really helps you focus on what is truly important and how you can simplify things in life to focus on your truly matters.
Takeaway: Make life more simple, and happiness will flow
Takeaway: Make life more simple, and happiness will flow
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews