Distraction, Attention, and Simplicity

Dan BenjaminEvangelist, Rails Machine

You are distracted

The most successful objects, devices, and

applications have simple, obvious functionality

Build can-openers

If you have to explain your how your software

works, you’ve failed

Embed and shield users from optional or

complicated functionality

[Innovation] comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the

wrong track or try to do too much. We’re always thinking about new markets we

could enter, but it’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that

are really important.

-- Steve Jobs

Say no

Features are addictive

Quality not quantity

Build something that lasts

“A poor man can afford only the very

best.”

Do as little as possible

Question everything you think is a given

The iPod won’t sell

The iPhone won’t sell

Projected: 45 million iPhones sold by end

of 2009

Function should define and insist on

form.

The simplest solution isn’t always the best answer, but it is a great starting

point

If you do things right, no one will be sure you’ve

done anything at all.

Be invisible

Before you start:Stop.

The chattering mind

Meditation

Vipassana (n)

A training to cultivate a non-reactive, deeply focused awareness of the present moment, absent of judgement or clinging.

Mindfulness

Just breathe

“Just thoughts”

Eliminate the “chatter”

Ask the right questions

Abandon your assumptions

Abraham Wald

“If you ask the wrong question, the answer is irrelevant.”

-- Garrett Dimon

You know too much already

Private silos

Don’t be your own user

Create space

Do less

Relax