Less But Better: The Power of Quality and Strength

Once in a while, I step back and remember, hey, this is a blog. It’s my way of sharing the insights I’ve gathered from working as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and writer. I hope others out there tackling similar challenges might find them useful. Today feels like a good day to share another lesson I’ve learned recently.

If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know I’m wildly passionate about Virtual Reality—though these days, it’s sometimes called Mixed Reality. My enthusiasm often drives me to juggle multiple roles all at once: writing, attending industry events, working on contracts, and occasionally developing my own projects. Initially, I was inclined to say “yes” to almost every opportunity that came my way. On one hand, being versatile has brought me significant success across various fields. On the flip side, managing so many tasks can be overwhelming and dilute the focus necessary to make a substantial impact.

This realization struck me a few months ago, partly influenced by books like “Antifragile,” and partly by my own experiences. It dawned on me that my work life needed a new guiding principle: focus on a few meaningful tasks rather than spreading myself thin across numerous trivial ones. Let me explain.

Social media was one area I started applying this thinking. I used to flood Twitter/X with countless links to XR-related articles that I found exciting, eager to share them with the community. My routine was simple: find something interesting, hit ‘share,’ maybe toss in a couple of hashtags, and voilà! But soon I noticed these posts were barely engaging anyone. It wasn’t for lack of interest in collecting likes; it was more about realizing that almost nobody was reading them. Essentially, I was investing time with zero return—no new followers, no informed readers, nothing.

This prompted a change. I began to curtail my sharing, focusing only on the most pertinent information. When I did post, I tried to add more depth, perhaps sharing a thought-provoking comment alongside the link instead of merely copying the headline (though I still fall into that habit sometimes). I didn’t want to succumb to the whims of algorithms by stirring unnecessary debates, but I acknowledged the need to engage followers in a meaningful way. This approach paid off, resulting in more interaction and new connections.

The same principle applies to my blogging. In the past, I was fixated on releasing at least one article weekly, even if it meant writing about less significant topics just to keep up the tempo. But like my random X posts, these would often yield little engagement. Now, I prefer holding back altogether if I can’t craft something truly meaningful. When I invest the effort to write, I ensure it’s informative and worthwhile—not only for me but for those who take the time to read it. This strategy has led to instances where my work garnered significant attention, enhancing both my reputation and my blog’s visibility.

As a developer, I initially accepted any contract work that came my way. But undertaking a single high-stakes project valued at $100,000 (as part of a team, unfortunately not all mine) proves far more valuable than completing ten smaller $10,000 gigs. Larger projects typically offer the potential to forge profitable connections, become noteworthy showcase pieces for the portfolio, and present scenarios for personal growth and development. My experience with VRROOM, a VR platform for concerts, is a prime example. Working on it for over a year expanded my skills more than many smaller projects combined.

Remember, everything you do consumes resources, especially time. Each task also comes with fixed costs—be it negotiating contracts or handling weekly progress calls. So, managing ten small projects demands significantly more effort than a single large one. Of course, landing big projects isn’t always easy, so I’m not advocating against taking on smaller ones. Instead, I’m suggesting prioritizing larger, more meaningful projects when possible.

This isn’t a groundbreaking revelation. Fans of the Pareto principle will recognize how 20% of activities often yield 80% of results. Essentially, focusing on significant tasks can provide the same value as undertaking a multitude of smaller ones.

Drawing from “Antifragile,” it’s evident that impactful endeavors matter more than endless smaller tasks. Imagine dropping a large rock on someone versus a thousand tiny pebbles. The larger stone has far greater impact.

Quality matters too. When you’re constantly stretched thin, quality tends to suffer. Scaling back allows for better craftsmanship, which adds value for others and bolsters your reputation. Having invested heavily in quality throughout my career, I’ve come to associate this with my reputation. Charging a fair price for quality work is something I’m no longer hesitant about, understanding it’s a reflection of my decade-long journey in this industry. Now, quality work commands higher compensation, though it also means working in a more sustainable manner.

It’s critical to consider not just quality but frequency too. Unless an individual innovation can make you legendary, sustained efforts usually matter more. Take social media, for example. A single viral post might briefly spike interest, but regular engaging content is what fosters genuine connections and growth.

Events and networking operate similarly. Practicing the “fewer but better” approach means choosing impactful events like CES, where I went all out to make meaningful connections, deepening my industry awareness. But attending an event every couple of years wouldn’t yield the same return.

Years ago, I learned from Francesco Ronchi, a noteworthy figure in tech circles, that genuine connections often develop over repeated encounters. Random introductions seldom yield substantial relationships. It’s the repeated interactions that build trust and collaboration. Therefore, continually delivering quality work over time is vital.

Finally, consider long-term effects. Crafting a viral post with millions of views sounds fantastic, but how does it shape the trajectory of your career over the next five or ten years? Identifying tasks with long-term benefits is crucial for strategic growth.

And there you have it, my musings for the day in a nutshell:

“Do fewer but more impactful things for your present and future. You’ll offer more value and receive more in return while reducing stress and increasing satisfaction.”

Consider jotting this down somewhere for those moments when you need a reminder—in very pivotal moments of your day.

I realize this might have been more for me than anyone else, but if these reflections offer any benefit to you, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Or if you share this on social media, do make it interesting!