I recently heard someone say this and loved it:

If you want to seem smart, use big words.

If you want to be remembered, use simple words.

I hope you remember my messages because of their simplicity.

One of the most productive skills you can learn is to simplify your thoughts.

Because they move projects, reduce stress, and help people act without second-guessing.

Here are three practical ways to simplify, starting today.

Step #1: Start With Your “So-What” Statement

Before you write the email, build the slide, or open your mouth in a meeting, answer this in one sentence:

What’s the point?

Aim for 12 words or fewer, present tense, and no jargon.

If a busy director could repeat it in the hallway, you nailed it.

Examples:

• We protect 90 minutes for deep work every day.
• We cut recurring meetings that lack an agenda.
• We ship version one this Friday.

Pro tip: Write your “So what” at the top of the doc.

Everything below should support it or get deleted.

Step #2: Use The Rule-of-Three (So People Understand and Act)

Most messages drown in details.

Include unnecessary words.

Use empty jargon.

Trim them to three buckets and watch clarity soar.

What?

Why?

How?

How to write it in 90 seconds:

What: Start with a verb. Make it specific. Like,

• Pause the Friday all-hands for 30 days.

Why: Name one outcome or risk. Like,

• Reclaim 4 hours a month.

How: Give one concrete action with an owner and a time box. Like,

• HR removes the hold by Thursday.

Make it skimmable​
Put each line on its own line with bold labels.

If you’re speaking, say:

• The What first, pause…
• Then the Why, pause., then…
• The How with a clear ask.

This framework is powerful!

It’s memorable, easy to present, and gives your team just enough structure to act.

Step #3: Give It A Sticky Name

Names make ideas portable.

Use names to shorten conversations, speed decisions, and create a shared language.

Here are some rules that help:

1. Keep it under four words
2. Use familiar words.
3. Make it easy to say aloud.

Here are some patterns that work:

• Actions:
  • Focus Sprint
  • Calendar Cleanse
  • Decision Day
• Numbers:
  • Two-Tab Rule
  • Top Three Goals
  • Five-Minute Reset
• Alliteration: (My Fave!)
  • Monday Map
  • Friday Finish
  • Meeting Makeover

Pro Tips

• Pick a name that hints at what to do. (Clear is better than clever).
• Don’t use inside jargon or vague labels like Optimize Process.

After you’ve picked a name, put it on the slide, in the email subject, and on the calendar block.

Repetition builds adoption!

The Bottom Line

Simplifying is not dumbing down.

It is discipline.

When your ideas are short, structured, and named, you remove confusion and decision fatigue.

Your team spends less time debating and more time doing.

You communicate with confidence.

And you build a culture where the right actions are easier than the wrong ones.

Now it’s your turn.

Take a message you need to send and do one of the following:

• Write the “So what” sentence.
• Frame it with What, Why, and How.
• Give it a Sticky Name.

Simple wins. Every time.

xo,
Mridu

PS: If more focus and better communication sound amazing to you, let’s talk.

1) Learn about team training here.

2) Explore one-to-one coaching here.

PPS: Know someone who could use more focus? Share this with them and become their productivity hero.

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