Many of us prefer complicated solutions and explanations over simpler ones. This cognitive error is known as the Complexity Bias.
We don’t listen to simple, basic advice to be productive and healthy, like doing regular exercise or rising early every morning. Our mind gets attracted to complex procedures and ideas like intermittent fasting, keto diet, and other finicky solutions that dazzle us with their twisted ways.

The Complexity Bias

Problem Solving

<ol>
<li>Move towards action by doing more and researching less. Follow the ‘Just Do It’ mantra.</li>
<li>Choose one system that works with your natural inclination, even if it isn’t the best way.</li>
<li>Occam's Razor states that the explanation which is the simplest and has the least number of assumptions is more likely to be true. Embrace this mental model in your daily decisions.</li>
</ol>

Avoiding Complexity Bias

Too much complexity in our daily decisions and routines could lead to avoidance of work, and though complexity keeps life interesting, we need to embrace it only when we enjoy the process.

Habitually Complex

<h1>The Complexity Bias</h1>Why we prefer complex solutions over simple ones<img src="https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist.png" alt="Comic showing how we overcomplicate health, productivity, personal finance, etc" width="736" height="921" srcset="https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist.png 1714w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-1228x1536.png 1228w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-1637x2048.png 1637w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-160x200.png 160w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-320x400.png 320w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-494x618.png 494w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cognitive_Biases-complexity_Doist-1017x1272.png 1017w">Why choose a simple explanation when a complex one will do? Complexity bias describes our tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions over simple ones.It’s why we debate the science of intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets instead of following Michael Pollan’s advice to “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” It’s why we pay financial planners to tell us how to save for retirement instead of taking 15 minutes to open a Vanguard account, select an index fund, and set up an automatic monthly deposit. And it’s why we’re drawn to the finicky intricacies of productivity systems like <a href="https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/getting-things-done" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Getting Things Done</a> instead of simply working on our most important tasks first.Complexity can keep life interesting, as when we develop complex rituals for making a simple cup of coffee or when we carefully tend our sourdough starters for the perfect loaf of bread. However, complex systems are more difficult to maintain over time.In addition, the perception of complexity often leads to avoidance. When we think something is difficult to do or understand, we don’t even try. If we believe that organizing our lives requires a complex system like GTD, we’re less likely to experiment with a simpler system we might have a better shot at sticking to. The trick is to embrace complexity when you genuinely enjoy the process, but don’t let the perceived complexity keep you from getting started.<h3>What you can do about it:</h3>Develop a bias for action over research. You don’t have to fully understand a concept to get started. Instead of seeking perfect knowledge at the start, take an iterative approach to your endeavors: Try things, see how they work, and slowly improve over time. It’s the fastest way to learn. Done is better than perfect.Choose the system you’ll stick with. It may be that intermittent fasting is objectively the best way to burn fat or that GTD is the ideal way of organizing your tasks, but it won’t do you any good if you can’t stick to it long-term. Look for <a href="https://todoist.com/productivity-methods" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">systems that work with your natural inclinations</a>, even if they aren’t the “best” way of doing things.Apply Occam’s Razor. Occam’s Razor states that, when faced with two possible explanations for the same evidence, the one that requires the fewest assumptions is most likely to be true. While there are exceptions to every mental model, Occam’s Razor is a good rule of thumb for counterbalancing the complexity bias.

Complexity bias is a cognitive error that describes our tendency to prefer complicated solutions and explanations over simple ones.

Why we prefer complex solutions over simple ones

Why choose a simple explanation when a complex one will do? Complexity bias describes our tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions over simple ones.

It’s why we debate the science of intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets instead of following Michael Pollan’s advice to “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” It’s why we pay financial planners to tell us how to save for retirement instead of taking 15 minutes to open a Vanguard account, select an index fund, and set up an automatic monthly deposit. And it’s why we’re drawn to the finicky intricacies of productivity systems like <a dir="ltr" href="https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/getting-things-done" rel="noopener noreferrer">Getting Things Done </a>instead of simply working on our most important tasks first.

Complexity can keep life interesting, as when we develop complex rituals for making a simple cup of coffee or when we carefully tend our sourdough starters for the perfect loaf of bread. However, complex systems are more difficult to maintain over time.

In addition, the perception of complexity often leads to avoidance. When we think something is difficult to do or understand, we don’t even try. If we believe that organizing our lives requires a complex system like GTD, we’re less likely to experiment with a simpler system we might have a better shot at sticking to. The trick is to embrace complexity when you genuinely enjoy the process, but don’t let the perceived complexity keep you from getting started.

Develop a bias for action over research . You don’t have to fully understand a concept to get started. Instead of seeking perfect knowledge at the start, take an iterative approach to your endeavors: Try things, see how they work, and slowly improve over time. It’s the fastest way to learn. Done is better than perfect.

Choose the system you’ll stick with . It may be that intermittent fasting is objectively the best way to burn fat or that GTD is the ideal way of organizing your tasks, but it won’t do you any good if you can’t stick to it long-term. Look for <a dir="ltr" href="https://todoist.com/productivity-methods" rel="noopener noreferrer">systems that work with your natural inclinations </a>, even if they aren’t the “best” way of doing things.

Apply Occam’s Razor . Occam’s Razor states that, when faced with two possible explanations for the same evidence, the one that requires the fewest assumptions is most likely to be true. While there are exceptions to every mental model, Occam’s Razor is a good rule of thumb for counterbalancing the complexity bias.

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Bite‑sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

Complexity Bias: Why We Overcomplicate Our Lives

The Complexity Bias

Avoiding Complexity Bias

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7 Cognitive Biases That Make Us Suck at Time Management

5 Mental Models to Help You Think More Clearly, Rationally, and Effectively

Egocentric bias: why we feel like the main character in our own movie

Bite‑sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career