Less but Better: Stronger

Every now and then, I’m reminded that this is indeed a blog, and I love sharing tidbits from my journey as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and writer. I hope these insights can lend a hand to others in similar shoes. Today’s post dives into a fresh mindset I’ve been embracing lately.

As many of you know, Virtual Reality—or Mixed Reality, as Meta might put it—has always been my passion, leading me to juggle multiple gigs. From blogging to attending events, handling freelance work, and even venturing into product creation, my hands are always full. In the early days, I had a knack for saying “yes” to almost every opportunity that came my way. While this approach allowed me to make impressive strides across various domains, it also brought along its fair share of stress, often at the expense of focus needed to excel.

Some months back, spurred by a few enlightening reads—”Antifragile” being one of them—and personal experiences, I stumbled upon a guiding principle that now shapes my professional endeavors: prioritizing limited high-impact tasks over a slew of lesser ones. Let me break this down for you.

A significant revelation came through my experience with social media. I regularly share XR-related articles on platforms like Twitter/X. My original intent was to share intriguing finds with the community to spark interest and dialogue. However, I noticed that many of my posts barely got any engagement. This wasn’t about accumulating likes, but rather about realizing that the shared links were not reaching audiences as intended. Delving into social media algorithms revealed they de-prioritize content that doesn’t ignite discussions or emotions, especially posts with outbound links diverting users from their platform. Consequently, I was investing time in content that didn’t benefit anyone—be it through increased followers or valuable connections.

Recognizing this was a call to action. I began curating my social shares more diligently, focusing on truly valuable content and putting extra effort into engaging posts. While I didn’t want to dive into polarizing discussions, aligning with the platform’s rules while maintaining informative and positive contributions has led to more meaningful interactions and connections.

This outlook spills over into all my endeavors. I used to press myself to churn out blog posts weekly—even if it meant publishing light-hearted or trivial news. The results mirrored my social media efforts: time and energy spent with little return in engagement or community building. Now, I dedicate my writing to pieces that are substantive and genuinely informative, valuing the quality time spent on what I produce. This has led to occasional, yet highly impactful successes—like a comprehensive article about Android XR’s camera capabilities which not only boosted my blog’s reputation but also enhanced SEO noticeably. Simply echoing sentiments like “I love you VR community” across ten posts wouldn’t yield the same growth.

In my development work, I initially embraced every contract that came my way. However, tackling a high-stakes project with a $100,000 budget offers far more benefits than working on ten smaller $10,000 projects. Larger projects often bring reputable clients, open avenues for meaningful exposure, and standout portfolio pieces, enabling substantial professional growth. Such experiences, like working on the VR platform VRROOM for concerts, taught me more about development and management in a year and a half than previous years combined—a testament to focusing on larger, complicated endeavors.

Every task we pursue comes with a cost, mainly our time. Each project, regardless of size, introduces fixed obligations such as contract negotiations or updates. Handling fewer, yet significant projects streamlines these processes. While it’s harder to secure larger projects, seeking them when possible can be more rewarding.

The idea isn’t new. Fans of the Pareto principle recognize that 20% of work typically produces 80% of results. While theoretical, it underscores the impact of focusing efforts on high-value activities.

“Antifragile” touches on life’s asymmetries, illustrating how significant actions outperform countless small ones. Imagine dropping a massive rock versus a heap of pebbles—though less spectacular, the weighty stone carries more impact than the scattered pebbles combined.

Quality holds its ground as a vital aspect of real, meaningful work. Over-committing dilutes quality, whereas concentrating on select endeavors upholds it. This enhances our satisfaction, adds real value to others, and boosts our professional reputation. Blending quality with reputation, I strive to consistently deliver high-caliber work, and while that means asking for fair compensation, it reflects years of dedication to the industry.

Focusing solely on quality isn’t always enough. An extraordinary accomplishment can make someone a legend, but usually success is built on consistent contributions. Social media exemplifies this: a viral post is great, yet regular, engaging content fosters genuine connections and growth.

Networking and events echo this sentiment. Opting for significant events, like CES, allows for maximizing impact and creating lasting impressions. Meaningful networking often grows through recurring interactions, and the resulting relationships prove invaluable over time.

Several years back, I pondered this at a networking event in Milan. Engaging with Francesco Ronchi, Synesthesia’s CEO, I sought wisdom on building connections. He emphasized consistent presence, iterating that seeing the same faces multiple times cultivates deeper, more meaningful relationships. This requires balancing quality with steady engagement, underscoring the synergy of regularity and excellence.

Finally, beyond quality and quantity, consider long-term aspirations. While short-term successes are gratifying, aligning some efforts with broader career objectives pays dividends. Continuously evaluate tasks against long-term impacts, pursuing those that advance significant career milestones or open transformative opportunities.

In closing, my takeaway for you is this: choose fewer, more meaningful endeavors. It yields greater value, reduces stress, and enhances satisfaction. Write this mantra down, remember it when it matters most, and hopefully your journey improves through this lens. If these reflections resonate, feel free to comment or share them meaningfully online.