Sometimes, the most powerful lessons come from the simplest words. In a 1998 interview with BusinessWeek, Steve Jobs, the cofounder of Apple, shared a mantra that guided much of his life and work: "Simple can be harder than complex: you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."

Why Simple is Harder Than You Think

At first glance, Jobs’s statement might seem obvious—simplicity is easy, complexity is hard. But Jobs flipped that notion on its head. Achieving true simplicity requires discipline, clarity, and relentless refinement. To create something elegant and intuitive, whether a product, a process, or an idea, you must strip away everything unnecessary. True simplicity demands both creativity and critical thinking, often far harder than building a complex solution only experts can decipher.

In Jobs’s world, simplicity was not minimalism for its own sake. It was the result of deep thought, iteration, and attention to detail. The elegance and ease of use that users experienced in Apple products were the reward of rigorous behind-the-scenes effort.

Why This Matters to You Today

Jobs’s insight is not just for tech innovators; it applies to life, work, and personal growth. In a world full of distractions, overcomplicated systems, and endless multitasking, focusing on what truly matters can feel revolutionary. Simplifying your goals, your workflow, and even your thinking creates space for creativity, reduces stress, and leads to meaningful outcomes.

Hard work is not always about doing more—it is about doing better. By removing unnecessary complexity, you open the door to achieving the kind of results that feel effortless but are powered by thoughtful effort.

The Mind Behind the Mantra

Steve Jobs’s life was a testament to the power of simplicity. Raised in Cupertino, California, he co-founded Apple in a garage and turned a modest project into a global technology leader. Jobs had an uncanny ability to anticipate what people needed before they even knew it themselves. His insistence on design, usability, and elegance set Apple apart, creating iconic products like the Macintosh, the iMac, and the iPhone.

Jobs’s journey included major setbacks, from being ousted from Apple to starting NeXT and acquiring Pixar, before returning to rescue Apple from near collapse. Throughout, his commitment to focus and simplicity never wavered, proving that clarity of vision paired with relentless effort can leave a lasting impact.

Steve Jobs’s words offer a timeless lesson: simplicity is not a shortcut; it is a superpower. By focusing your thinking, removing clutter, and prioritizing what truly matters, you can achieve outcomes that seem effortless to others but are the product of extraordinary work. Once you achieve simplicity, as Jobs reminds us, you can move mountains.