Stop Overcomplicating Things: Choose the Low-Hanging Fruit and Move Forward
September 29, 2025
Be Honest
How many times have you overcomplicated something that could have been simple?
Maybe you spent hours planning instead of just starting. Or maybe you put off a task because you were waiting for the “perfect” time, the “perfect” system, or the “perfect” idea. If so, you’re not alone.
I recently found myself in that exact place. I was overthinking, overplanning, and honestly exhausting myself. Then life threw me a curveball… I got sick. And, my carefully planned schedule went off track. Suddenly, I realized I was complicating things that didn’t need to be complicated.
The truth? Progress rarely comes from perfect plans. It comes from simple, doable steps — the low-hanging fruit right in front of us.
This article will guide you on recognizing when you’re complicating things. It will show you how to shift toward simple action. You’ll learn how to stop overcomplicating things and how to keep moving forward with clarity and ease.
Why We Overcomplicate Things
Before we talk about solutions, let’s pause and look at why this happens.
- Perfectionism – We want everything to be flawless before we start.
- Fear of Failure – Complicating things becomes a way to avoid action (and potential failure).
- Information Overload – With so much knowledge at our fingertips, we get stuck consuming instead of doing.
- Busyness = Worth – Sometimes we mistake “working harder” for “making progress.”
Sound familiar? The reality is that overcomplication doesn’t move us forward. It keeps us spinning our wheels.
The Power of Low-Hanging Fruit
Have you heard of this phrase? If not, low-hanging fruit refers to tasks, opportunities, or goals that are easy to achieve with minimal effort. They offer a quick reward. It is like fruit that is easily picked from a low branch on a tree.
It is simply the obvious, easy-to-reach step right in front of you. It’s not flashy. It’s not complicated. But it gets you moving.
Examples of low-hanging fruit in daily life:
- Sending one email you’ve been putting off.
- Walking around the block instead of skipping exercise altogether.
- Decluttering one drawer instead of tackling the whole house.
- Making one call instead of perfecting your 10-step networking plan.
These actions may seem small, but they create momentum. And momentum is what helps us keep moving forward.
Step 1: Notice When You’re Complicating Things
The first step to overcoming complications is awareness. Ask yourself:
- Am I adding extra steps that don’t really matter?
- Am I delaying because I want it to be perfect?
- Am I spending more time planning than doing?
A quick example: A friend of mine wanted to start working out again. Instead of lacing up her sneakers and going for a walk, she spent weeks researching the perfect running shoes, comparing gym memberships, and designing a detailed workout calendar. By the time she “felt ready,” she’d lost all motivation.
The simple truth? She could have walked out her door and started. That was the low-hanging fruit.
Step 2: Reframe the Goal
Instead of aiming for the biggest result, ask… What’s the simplest version of this that would still move me forward?
For example:
- Instead of “I need to write a book,” reframe to “I’ll write one page today.”
- Instead of “I need to get healthy,” reframe to “I’ll drink one more glass of water today.”
- Instead of “I need to overhaul my career,” reframe to “I’ll update my LinkedIn profile this week.”
This reframe keeps your goals realistic and actionable, which makes you far more likely to follow through.
Step 3: Apply the One Bold Step Rule
Here’s a simple method that’s changed everything for me: The One Bold Step Rule.
Each morning, ask yourself:
👉 What’s the single bold step I can take today that will move me forward?
Do that first. Let it count. Celebrate it.
It doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to matter. Over time, these steps add up to massive progress.
Step 4: Embrace Imperfect Action
Progress doesn’t come from perfect execution. It comes from consistent, imperfect action.
Think about it: which matters more?
- A perfectly polished plan that never leaves your notebook,
- Or one small, messy step that gets you moving?
The answer is obvious. Taking action — even imperfect action — beats complicating and stalling every single time.
A real-life example: when I was first starting I kept waiting to launch my website until everything was “perfect.” After months of tinkering, I still hadn’t shared my website. Then one day I finally made the decision to hit publish. It wasn’t perfect and I’ve made changes along the way since, but I stopped waiting. Low-hanging fruit wins again.
Step 5: Keep Moving Forward with Grace
Finally, remember that setbacks will happen. You’ll get sick, life will get busy, and plans will fall apart. That’s okay.
When it happens:
- Give yourself grace.
- Choose the next low-hanging fruit.
- Get back up and keep going.
Momentum isn’t about never stopping. It’s about always starting again.
How Low-Hanging Fruit Shows Up in Everyday Life
To make this practical, let’s look at some areas where overcomplication sneaks in — and how you can shift toward simple steps instead:
Health & Wellness
- Complication: Designing the perfect workout plan and buying expensive equipment.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: Taking a brisk 10-minute walk today.
Career & Business
- Complication: Spending weeks perfecting your resume, portfolio, or business plan.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: Reaching out to one person in your network.
Relationships
- Complication: Waiting for the “perfect” time to reconnect.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: Sending a simple “thinking of you” text right now.
Personal Growth
- Complication: Buying endless books and courses, but not applying them.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: Implementing one insight you already learned.
In each area, the low-hanging fruit creates small wins that compound into big change.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, overcoming complications is about choosing clarity over chaos and action over perfection. The low-hanging fruit (the small, simple steps), are often the most powerful because they get you moving.
So the next time you catch yourself overcomplicating things, pause and ask… What’s the simple, doable thing I can do right now? Then do it.
Because moving forward doesn’t require perfect plans. It requires one bold step.
Does This Resonate With You? Don’t Miss…
👉 Blog Article – How Burnout Led Me to Clarity, Freedom, and a Bold New Beginning
👉 The Bold Insider Newsletter — your weekly reset for bold, ambitious, unapologetic living. Join here and start taking your own simple, bold steps.
3 Book Recommendation
Here are 3 great books to help you keep it simple.
- Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
A powerful guide to cutting through the noise and focusing on what matters most.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
A practical framework for building better habits through small, consistent actions.
3. The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
Learn how to focus on the one step that makes everything else easier or unnecessary.
[Note: These books can be powerful companions on your journey to creating a life you love. Remember, the best book is the one you’ll actually read and implement!]
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