I had no idea there would be a dictionary definition for ‘going back to the basics.’
But there is. Merriam-Webster.com defines it this way…
to return to a simpler way of doing something or thinking about something”
Going back to the basics is a good rule for complicated times.
Have you ever been in a rut? The breaks just not going your way? Going back to the basics might be just the thing. It’s a good way to hit the RESET button.
When we’re in the middle of it, we don’t see it. But travel back in time just a bit and you’ll see that few things worked as well as they do now.”
— Seth Godin
Things are working better… but, are people? The problem is, Seth was talking about things, not humans. I believe it’s safe to say that people are not, at present, working better than ever.
When was a problem ever solved by making it more complex?
Sometimes simplifying and going ‘back to our roots’ is what it takes to fall in love with what we’re doing again. ‘Back to [the] basics’ as the old saying goes.”
– Cait Mack, writer on Medium.com
I learned the concept of ‘going back to the basics’ in school when I was playing on the tennis team for a local community college. Usually, it was my forehand that was failing me.
Then my coach would say, “let’s go back to the basics and work forward from there.” It worked every single time. Of course, there were lots of drills, and needless to say, I didn’t like drills. Nobody likes drills.
Some slumps lasted longer than others, that’s just the way things roll.
This simple principle has been so reliable over the years in helping me solve many problems, I’ve memorialized it in my personal list of guiding principles and themes.
The truth is, trying to think or will yourself out of a tough situation is nearly impossible.
When life isn’t working… during those times that aren’t going your way, remember to go back to the basics. Revisit the fundamentals. Often the simplest solution is to refocus and apply what you already know.
Going back to the basics is a good way to go… then work forward from there.
Thanks for dropping by LifeUntucked®. If you enjoyed this post be sure to share it with a friend.
Copyright © 2020 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved
Leave a Reply