During my early days as a teacher in my own business, I learned a lesson that shaped my path to success and prosperity — though it was not a grand revelation or extraordinary insight.
It was a simple truth.
Throughout my young life, I encountered many such lessons, modest yet meaningful, each leaving its imprint on my journey.
If you are expecting something monumental, you might be disappointed.
What helped me wasn’t groundbreaking — it was simplicity itself.
I paid attention.
I observed.
I reflected.
And most importantly, I simplified.
These quiet acts of mindfulness became the foundation upon which I built my achievements.
My career as an educator began in a beauty training college which was my first entrepreneurial venture.
One particular moment still stands out vividly — it was the day I was teaching a class, explaining the principles of galvanic current for a machine used for skin infusion.
To set the scene, I had only recently learned these concepts myself.
A tutor, who happened to be the product’s manufacturer, had conducted a training session that introduced me to terms like polarization, negative ions, and positive ions — dense technical jargon that even I found challenging to process. All this was very new in the beauty industry in the early nineties.
Yet, there I was, attempting to relay this complex knowledge to beginners in the study of beauty therapy.
In the midst of my lecture, one of the students, Jacinta, politely yet pointedly interrupted:
“With all due respect, can you keep it simple? We’re not at the teacher level in beauty therapy; we’re just first-year students.”
Her remark struck a chord.
It was a pivotal moment that came early in my entrepreneurial journey and, fortunately, shaped the success of my business over the next decade.
That day, I realized the importance of simplicity — not just for my tutorials but for every aspect of my communication. I dedicated hours to rewriting the tutorial for the galvanic machine and others, transforming them into straightforward, chart-based guides with arrows illustrating the step-by-step procedures.
Years later, I had the pleasure of visiting a former graduate who now runs her own clinic and training school. As I entered the foyer and waited, I overheard her in the next room explaining the intricate workings of the galvanic machine to a trainee — precisely as I had once explained it to her, Jacinta.
Life has a way of coming full circle. Jacinta not only learned well from my simplified instruction but has built a thriving business of her own, a testament to her dedication and skill.
This principle of simplification has continued to serve me well throughout my life.
It has influenced my relationships, the way I organize my home, and how I communicate. My house is now decluttered and streamlined to reflect simplicity itself.
As a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, my role requires me to not only simplify my language when speaking with callers but also to remain vigilant and respond to their needs in a clear and straightforward manner, striving to prevent potential suicide attempts.
The lesson has taken on even deeper meaning as I navigate interactions with my sister, who is now in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s — Love in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s. Communicating with her requires the utmost simplicity — stripping communication down to its most basic form to ensure understanding.
And yet, I know that soon, even this will no longer be possible.
The health and beauty industry which I was in, often attracts individuals who aspire to achieve their ideal weight, a goal that has fuelled the weight-loss industry for years.
While the market overflows with diets, supplements, and fitness regimens, the core principle remains strikingly simple: balance and activity.
Moderation in eating, paired with an active lifestyle, offers not only physical benefits but also emotional well-being.
Personally, I have embraced this philosophy in my own life. Rather than adhering to restrictive diets or chasing fleeting trends, I prioritize movement and joy.
And I eat chocolate and drink wine!
I have been privileged to inspire many women during their time at college, nurturing a shift in perspective that encourages simplicity and purpose.
My hope is that I have contributed positively to their journeys, empowering them to work towards their aspirations — be it achieving their ideal weight or fulfilling other meaningful goals.
Daily activities such as walking, dancing, or playing with my children and now being able to play with my grandkids, are my foundation for health. These small, consistent efforts not only maintain my weight within a healthy range but also ensure that I feel vibrant and energized.
Moreover, this approach is not limited to weight maintenance. An active lifestyle, coupled with mindful eating, has contributed to my cardiovascular health, stronger bones, improved mental clarity, and a sense of community.
Reducing credit card debt is essential for simplifying spending habits and curbing impulse purchases — a lesson I learned the hard way too. When my store credit cards reached their $45,000 limit, I had a serious conversation with myself: why did I need both a Myer card and a David Jones card? If I didn’t have the cash on hand, that striking red evening dress could stay on the rack. After all, I already had a stunning green one waiting in my closet.
Over the years, my husband and I have bought and sold five homes, each representing a chapter in our journey. As a young Stephane and an ambitious businesswoman, I gravitated toward large, extravagant homes, often accompanied by substantial mortgages. While I had the financial means to afford them, I later questioned whether I truly needed them.
Looking back, those choices were part of the lessons and experiences of youth — necessary steps to understand the balance between aspiration and practicality.
Though I sometimes wish the money spent on those 30-year mortgages had instead been channelled into my investment portfolio.
However, the journey was not without its rewards. I gained valuable insights into the housing market and, driven by my entrepreneurial passion for strategic investments, I ventured into property development.
By flipping Simple investment properties, no fancy houses, I achieved remarkable success — turning them over in less than four years, with the most recent one sold in just 18 months at a significant profit.
These achievements have afforded me the privilege of enjoying a secure and fulfilling financial position as I embrace the twilight of my years.
Start small, reduce the clutter, and focus on what truly matters — because simplicity, in all its forms, is the key to thriving.
Simple tips like these can go a long way in simplifying your life and help you thrive financially and across all areas!
I’d love to hear your thoughts — share them in the comments below!
Thank you for reading dear Friends and Simplifiers ღ
© Stephanie Roberts
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Denny Müller On Unsplash
