I’m a fan of simplicity.

And as much as my ego would like to say that I changed my life by following some otherworldly, complicated routines, that’s just not true.

It’s the simplest of ideas that have had the biggest impact on me. And they’re so simple, I’m dumbfounded by the fact that we don’t recognize them easily.

That’s why today, I want to share three of those simple ideas with you. They come from the person who’s mastered the art of simplicity, Charlie Munger.

As a legendary investor, entrepreneur, and thinker, Charlie Munger has not only understood the power of simplicity but also how to implement that power to create magical results.

Now, his most powerful ideas are about to be yours.

Idea 1: Face Reality.

Charlie is famous for saying, “Recognize reality even when you don’t like it—especially when you don’t like it.”

On face value, we all understand what he means by that. It’s a simple sentence with words any 10-year-old can figure out.

Yet as adults, most of us are nowhere close to reality. Instead of just facing our problems head-on, we ignore them. And so, instead of living our lives, we spend time dreaming up our lives—but never turning those dreams into reality.

Why?

Because we’re not accepting the reality today as it is. If we don’t accept it, we can’t know what it is. And if we don’t know what it is, how can we ever change it?

That’s the problem with most of us today. We’d like to lose weight, but the moment someone says we are overweight, our first thought is, “How dare you?” 

And it’s so funny because we’re getting mad at the other person for pointing out a truth that we see in the mirror every single day. It doesn’t make sense logically.

But emotionally, it makes total sense. What we don’t accept, we reject. And if the problem doesn’t exist, there’s no need to solve it. It’s the path of least resistance.

Ignorance, however, won’t make the problem go away. Only action will. You’ll take it only when you feel comfortable with the truth.

And that’s definitely simpler than any web of lies you have going on inside your head.

Idea 2: “Opportunities come to the Prepared Mind.”

That’s something Charlie had a firm belief in.

And it makes sense. Imagine all your dreams come true when you wake up tomorrow morning. 

You’re the owner of a multi-million dollar business.
You have a private jet waiting at the airport.
You’re singing to thousands of people in a stadium.
You’re getting cast in a movie with Tom Cruise.
You have ten million subscribers on your YouTube Channel.

And whatnot.

It sounds like a dream come true, right?

But just wait until…
The CEO of your business comes to tell you the workers are on strike, and you’re looking at heavy losses.
The daily rent for keeping the private jet at the airport is emptying your pockets.
Stage fright is making you freeze in front of thousands of people.
You’re making silly, rookie mistakes in front of a legend like Tom Cruise.
You have no idea how to keep ten million people engaged with quality content day after day.

Now it all becomes more of a nightmare.

And that’s the problem with our culture, which focuses extensively on just achieving the goal. You can, and probably will, get there. I do not doubt that.

But can you handle the pressure and responsibility that comes with such success? I’m not so sure.

And that’s why this idea from Charlie is one I’ll always advocate for: focus on preparation. Be worthy of the success you desire. Be ready to deal with the responsibility and the pressure.

And what you want will be yours.

Idea 3: “Don’t Sell Anything You Wouldn’t Buy Yourself”

Because integrity always pays off better than quick, but dirty money.

And as we’re entering an age where the ‘hustle bros’ are telling you to become a millionaire overnight by selling the most random products and services, you must be even more cognizant of the work you’re doing—and whether it’s truly honest.

And even if you’re a student or doing a job that has nothing to do with selling, this still matters to you because, at the end of the day, you are selling people on the quality of your ideas and your work. That’s how you get ahead in life.

And if you skimp on integrity at such a crucial step for the sake of some small gain, then you’re seriously messing up your future, your reputation, and your success.

So the benchmark is simple. Would you buy the same thing you’re selling? Is it of value? And will the other person benefit from it?

And if you’re doing a job, would you be satisfied with the work you did if you were the boss? Are you truly providing the value you were hired for? Are you delivering excellence even when it isn’t required? Or are you cutting corners for the sake of comfort or a few quick bucks?

If the answers are no, you are better off finding something with integrity (even if it pays less) than giving up on such an important quality of your life.

And of course, this decision will be difficult. But that’s why we learned to face reality, didn’t we?

A happy life is a simple life. It may not be an easy life, but it’s definitely simple, and this is a crucial step to that simplicity.

And if you’re feeling confused about how to implement these ideas (because they seem so tough), Charlie Munger has a solution for that, too:

“Assume life will be really tough, and then ask if you can handle it. If the answer is yes, you’ve won.”

So, my friend, are you ready to win?