When I say simplify, I mean cut down on the gear, and select gear that is simple to use.
A gun, drag rope, a knife and a grunt tube is all the equipment I used for years.

Seems like today if a new hunter is unsuccessful, it's beacuse he used the wrong call at the wrong time, used the wrong scent, wore the wrong camo, etc. So they buy new stuff, but really just hunt the same way and expect different results, only to end up with the same results. This is why I think a lot of new hunters get frustrated.

Just keep it simple, get out there, pay attention to the wind, and keep your eyes open. If you are not seeing deer, try still hunting. This is not stalking, but hunting very slowly through the woods. 100-150 yds per hour, slower if needed. Observe what sign there is, and adjust stand locations based on the sign. No sign, hunt somewhere else. So many stand hunters only go to and fromtheir stands. They never check to see if there is deer sign in the area because they don't want to spook deer. I don't spend a lot of time in stands untilI have things pretty well figured out, and even then I'll still hunt on windy and rainy days when I think deer won't move on their own.

That should get you started.