The work we do is usually focused on delivering certain outcomes. Some in finance make sure the right invoices are processed at the right time. Some in IT make sure that business applications are securely available. Some in real estate make sure the right workplace is available.
Outcomes with simple descriptions are the easiest to work toward. If you can articulate your outcomes, you can define a path for getting to it. If you cannot articulate your outcome, you will struggle to achieve it.
All of this may be self-evident. On the surface, it would even appear that way. But somehow, along the way, we allow modifiers to creep into our outcome statements that include the words “but”, “not”, “or”, and “except for.” Each modifier makes the outcome more difficult to evaluate. The modifiers come because we try to support specific situations but in doing so we actually make it more difficult.
Simplify the things you do because that will almost always give you the best result.