Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said something recently that really got me thinking:

“I think people overcomplicate, and those people never seem to be the ones who really move the world forward. I think any system, as long as it keeps you disciplined and gets done what you say you’re going to get done, is fine. And I think the simple ones really work.”

For most people who run businesses themselves, it’s true, too many of them waste time perfecting productivity systems instead of just getting things done.

Here’s the truth:

Those fancy apps and colorful calendars might feel like they’re helping, but they often just make you tired of making decisions and lead to putting things off.

When you think about it - if your system gets too complicated, you end up spending more energy keeping track of your tasks than actually doing them.

The simpler your approach, the less time you waste organizing everything.

Otherwise, you’ll find yourself busy with lots of “urgent” tasks that don’t really matter in the big picture.

The brutally simple solution?

✅ Write down your tasks. A simple list keeps you focused and clears mental clutter.

✅ Circle the most important task. Not the easiest or most urgent, the one that actually moves you forward.

✅ Do that task first. No excuses. No distractions. Just execute.

This works because when you write things down, you can see what matters and remember it better.

It helps clear your mind, so you don’t waste time juggling priorities in your head, and it trains you to focus on what really moves your life forward.

Just a notebook and pen is all you need.

But we are living in the Digital Age, so even with simplicity, a little tech can help.

I’ve tried many apps, but Todoist is a great alternative to keep your tasks simple, clear and actionable.

That’s the one I’m still using for now, over 4 years.

​If you're curious, here's how it works.

Whatever it is, the pen and paper, or Todoist, either way, keep it simple!

So Sam Altman got it right.

When we try to make things too fancy, we end up doing less. The people who actually finish things? They keep it simple.

Cheers,

Minosh.