It’s too basic – Afraid to ask, create

When You Worry It’s Too Obvious, Say It Anyway

First Sentence: There’s a quiet fear many thoughtful people carry: What if what I want to say has already been said? What if it sounds too basic? What if someone smarter finds holes in it?

Let’s name it clearly: the fear of seeming naive, of stating the obvious, of being dismissed by people who already “know more.”

And let’s also say this clearly: That fear is costing the world a lot of real help, clarity, and kindness.

You might think your insight is simple or obvious — but that’s because you’ve lived it. Others haven’t. And they need to hear it in your voice, with your tone, at their stage of growth.

A Music Example: Playing Two ‘Simple’ Notes Well

Here are a few truths that can set us free from this stuck place:

Clarity vs Simplicity

Let us not confuse clarity and simplicity. Clarity is what people want. Express clarity in the simplest possible form addressing the minutest obvious details which will make sure of progress and change. Instead of making it complicated.

The same goes for art, music, and teaching: the most memorable songs often have simple, clear melodies and emotions people can hold onto. People don’t usually cry over a complex scale — they cry because a simple line reminded them they aren’t alone.

a master musician I knew I used to joke: “Well if you were going for complex you have achieved it. I hope you will give a user manual along with it that also includes info on when the listener should feel what.”

Often musicians who are not confident of their work try to hide behind sound walls of complexity. Master product creators and problem solvers look for elegance in their solution which can often mean simplifying it to as much as it can be but of course not oversimplifying so that it loses what is necessary.

Sharing something clear or grounded is a great gift. That’s what most people need.

• Obvious truths are often the most transformational, but also most neglected. Many are in search for the next tip and trick while real progress may rest in simply moving forward while giving attention to the details correcting the basics.
• What’s obvious to a master is life-changing to a beginner. What’s basic to you might be brand new to someone else.
• People are overwhelmed. Most people are not doing the obvious. They’re lost in complexity, distraction, and emotional fog. Your clarity is not naive — it could be the exact help someone needs.

So your job isn’t to impress the already-accomplished, but to serve those who can be moved by your clear and usable insights.

If the dismissive person shows up

Some people will say it’s too obvious.
They’re not your audience. They’re often not creating anything themselves. 

They’re not even your critics. — they’re just practicing their own identity management by being dismissive.

Remember these rules from the 4 agreements? Don’t take it personally. Don’t assume anything about them or their intentions. Let it be.

You don’t have to “win” against them. You’re not in competition. You’re in service to:

• The ones who are quietly stuck and waiting for clarity.
• The ones who need exactly your tone, your experience, your angle.

Love the advanced beginners

You are not here to impress the experts. You are here to reach the quietly stuck, the ones trying to move forward, what some of us like to lovingly call the advanced beginners — the ones who’ve already tried, practiced, searched, and still find themselves painfully aware of the gap between what they want to do and what’s actually coming out.

This is the group most in need of support. They carry tension, self-doubt, and the temptation to quit — not because they don’t care, but because they care so much and haven’t yet crossed the threshold.

When you speak for them, you become a mirror and a bridge. That’s worth everything.

3. You Don’t Need to Be the Final Word

You’re not writing scripture. You’re not submitting a peer-reviewed journal.

You’re offering a helpful angle. A stepping stone. A reminder that people like them can take action too.

PRACTICAL TOOL 1: The Audience Split Practice

Mentally split your audience into:

• Group A: “People who already know this and will dismiss it”
• Group B: “People who are open, stuck, or building”

Then say out loud:

“This is for Group B.”

Speak only to them. Forget the rest. That’s not where your service lies.

PRACTICAL TOOL 2: The “Yes, And” Practice

When your inner critic says:

“This is too obvious.”

Respond with:

“Yes… and that’s okay. I’m here to offer clarity, not complexity.”

You’re not trying to silence the critic. You’re just not letting it lead.

If You Create, Keep This Close:

Most people are not looking to be impressed. They’re looking to feel understood.

Your simplicity may be the first time someone finally “gets it.”

Your clear question might give someone permission to finally ask theirs.

Your straightforward blog post might move someone more than the most elaborate TED talk.

So write the thing. Ask the question. Sing the song. Teach the lesson.

Even if it feels basic.

Even if someone rolls their eyes.

Say it anyway.

Because someone out there is waiting to hear it in your voice. And they don’t care if it’s perfect. They just want to know they’re not alone.