I first came across this word when I started reading Avinash Kaushik’s articles. Where he has named his blog as Occam’s Razor.
Do check out his articles, they are one of the best.
But what is Occam’s Razor in the first place. And why great physicist like Stephen Hawking, and Albert Einstein mentioned used them.
The basic idea of Occam’s razor is that when you come across a situation, event, any circumstance, or you have to make a decision between other various others options it’s best to choose the one which is derived using fewer assumption.
In easy words; choose Simple over Complex choices. Though it doesn’t mean from now you start oversimplifying.
But you should not make it a driving principle in your life or taking important decisions. Sure simplicity is great, until you are deciding between cutting red wire or yellow wire. One keep you alive, and other well no so much.
That’s why some areas in our requires that we put extra efforts to make it more profound and data rich decision. But again some area just don’t.
Think of Occam’s Razor just as another tool that you can use to make your decisions or hypothesis more logical.
Occam’s Razor Applicability
Believe me it has applicability in everyday life & business.
Though the word was coined in 14th century by William of Ockam even Aristotle used to follow it’s base principle.
Where once Aristotle said that “the more limited, if accurate, is always preferable”.
And today Occam’s Razor is used in machine learning and medical. In business also it’s application is widely considered crucial.
Personally, speaking I am often bitten by snake of complexities or digging into finding a perfect solution. When all it requires at that time was to make a decision and start taking actions.
But now that I realized and look back, I have notice often time decisions that I have made with little assumptions or basically just using my common sense have given me more results rather than being too complicated about it. And that what Occam’s Razor is all about.
Because even in dating if you in lookout for perfect date, you will miss out the chance of meeting someone great. Which will become perfect in itself.
Even principle of minimum energy also supports it. Which it states that whenever possible we should try to minimize energy consumption to function the same.
So next time when you are working or stuck on a problem, prefer to go with a simple solution.
The Road More (Not) Taken
There is one great poem by Robert Frost named The Road Not Taken. Which advocate that by making a choice that is not unconventional it leads to different direction from the herd. The idea is that those who take different road are unique individual with leadership skills.
But I will encourage you to take the Road which is taken by most people.
Now there is no way a person like me who can convince you to know not follow Pulitzer won author’s message. But for a second think the benefit of going on the road that is taken by many:
- The road taken by most will have majority of people whom you can segment and has the higher change of becoming your target audience.
- When you take that road, you will find out what that road is missing and what problems traveler are facing which you can work out to solve it.
- There will already be demand for the problems. Like for instance need to clean the road?
Here Occam’s razor also advocate the same. Where sometimes not taking complex solution (road less travel) it’s great to take (road more taken) because it also has it’s own benefits.
What are they Takeaways?
The main takeaway is to approach everything by shaving unnecessary clutter. In not just your life but from preparing simple media plan strategy to adding sauces on the taco. Make it simpler, simpler and simpler.
Even for social media marketing success, best strategies are made when you make social media pillars strong – which are the foundations. Another example of taking simple approach.
Now next time when you are in a meeting with a client and they ask you to add more features or elements in your marketing strategy just send them this article, and remind them the importance of Occam’s Razor.
What else do you think I am missing, do add your thoughts in the comment.
