Comments on: What I Learned from My Children: Simplicity http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/ Content on writing, tech, business, marketing, social media Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:03:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From Children http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813108 Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From Children Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:02:51 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813108 [...] What I Learned from My Children: Simplicity, by Meryl at Meryl.net [...] [...] What I Learned from My Children: Simplicity, by Meryl at Meryl.net [...]

]]> By: Meryl http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813106 Meryl Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:50:20 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813106 @Robert, I think Fred answered your question better than I could. @Fred, thank you for your insightful comment -- the analogy hits it home. @Robert, I think Fred answered your question better than I could.

@Fred, thank you for your insightful comment — the analogy hits it home.

]]> By: Fred Schlegel http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813104 Fred Schlegel Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:25:26 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813104 Hi Meryl, Keeping it simple is deceptively difficult. Our urge is to layer on, because to leave something out means we have to trust our judgement on what the customer will want. But just as a specially prepared dish is often more satisfying than walking a smorgasbord a finely tuned piece works best. I like the formula you mention. In the consulting work I do I often provide a project cost with time estimates. The goal is to hit the big number without resorting to the hourly calculation, but by showing what hourly work is expected to go into that number I am able to discuss projects that are getting out of hand early on. Hi Meryl, Keeping it simple is deceptively difficult. Our urge is to layer on, because to leave something out means we have to trust our judgement on what the customer will want. But just as a specially prepared dish is often more satisfying than walking a smorgasbord a finely tuned piece works best.

I like the formula you mention. In the consulting work I do I often provide a project cost with time estimates. The goal is to hit the big number without resorting to the hourly calculation, but by showing what hourly work is expected to go into that number I am able to discuss projects that are getting out of hand early on.

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813099 Robert Hruzek Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:41:28 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813099 On a related note, why is it we adults have so much trouble believing the simple explanation? Just wonderin'. .-= Robert Hruzek's blog ...<a href="http://middlezonemusings.com/getting-the-wrong-impression/" rel="nofollow">Getting the Wrong Impression</a> =-. On a related note, why is it we adults have so much trouble believing the simple explanation? Just wonderin’.
.-= Robert Hruzek’s blog …Getting the Wrong Impression =-.

]]> By: Meryl http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813097 Meryl Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:28:18 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813097 @John, thank you for sharing a valuable tip. @Robert, thank you for giving me an idea for a post. I've updated the post because something happened last night with my youngest related to this very topic. I thought it best to update it rather than put it in comments. @John, thank you for sharing a valuable tip.

@Robert, thank you for giving me an idea for a post.

I’ve updated the post because something happened last night with my youngest related to this very topic. I thought it best to update it rather than put it in comments.

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813092 Robert Hruzek Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:29:37 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813092 Hey, I like that formula, Meryl. I've long considered trying my hand at freelance writing, but have had no idea how to price myself. This is a great rule-of-thumb I can use. (Assuming, of course, there's anyone out there who WANTS my service!) The overall lesson is a powerful one, though, and one we all need to keep in mind no matter what the issue. Thanks, and a hat tip for the WILF entry! .-= Robert Hruzek's blog ...<a href="http://middlezonemusings.com/getting-the-wrong-impression/" rel="nofollow">Getting the Wrong Impression</a> =-. Hey, I like that formula, Meryl. I’ve long considered trying my hand at freelance writing, but have had no idea how to price myself. This is a great rule-of-thumb I can use. (Assuming, of course, there’s anyone out there who WANTS my service!)

The overall lesson is a powerful one, though, and one we all need to keep in mind no matter what the issue.

Thanks, and a hat tip for the WILF entry!
.-= Robert Hruzek’s blog …Getting the Wrong Impression =-.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.meryl.net/2010/02/04/what-i-learned-from-my-children-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-813091 John Hewitt Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:23:40 +0000 http://www.meryl.net/?p=6853#comment-813091 Always nice to see my name in print. Thank you for the mention. I'll ad $20 per blog post to my list of twenties. .-= John Hewitt's blog ...<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WRC/~3/2nEaRopJXW0/" rel="nofollow">Technical Writing Jobs — 02/03/2010</a> =-. Always nice to see my name in print. Thank you for the mention. I’ll ad $20 per blog post to my list of twenties.
.-= John Hewitt’s blog …Technical Writing Jobs — 02/03/2010 =-.

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