The Simplicity of Proximity
Posted on September 16, 2009 by LJ
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Wednesdays are simplicity days at SimpleProductivity blog.
Here’s a paradox: sometimes the simplest solution to a problem is to have duplicates.
I call on application of this the principle of proximity.
Here are some examples, so you can get what I am talking about:
- There are pens and paper next to every phone so that messages can be taken immediately.
- There are clocks in every room, or within sight of every room so that there is never a reason to say that we didn’t know the time.
- I keep sets of cleaners in every bathroom. I am more likely to use the cleaners if I don’t have to haul myself to a different part of the house to get supplies.
- My portable vacuum cleaner, used for our steps, is stored with an extension cord attached. The extension cord makes it possible to vacuum from the top of the steps to the bottom without having to unplug midway and shift the plug to another floor.
- I keep a feather duster on each floor of the house. With two feather dusters, I am more likely to get the dust when I see it, because the duster is never more than 20 feet away.
In each of these cases, the simple has given way to the convenient. Simplicity for me means that I don’t have to hunt for a pen, run downstairs to get mirror cleaner, or find an extension cord every time I vacuum. Sometimes it is better to have more things to make the tasks simpler.
Photo by rudy.kleysteuber
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