Sometimes Less is More, In Business
- Victoria Hogg
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Less is more, right? Right? We say this expression so frequently but still cram our lives to bursting with extra tasks, extra ambitions, extra… stuff.
We noticed this week, though, that when you take things away and aim for less, everything works a little more smoothly. Spin fewer plates, essentially. The expression ‘work smarter, not harder’ feels appropriate - but actually, it’s a bit more than that. It’s really to do with being at peace with simplicity.
Not so much the wily fox, in that case; more the zen lion. Give yourself only two or three things to focus on - anything more is a distraction. And the distraction and plate-spinning and overwhelm might cost you an antelope. And broken plates. Lions hate broken plates.
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do” Michael Porter, US management guru
Something that flows…
I (Vic) have been working on the concept of ‘flow state triggers’ with my beloved online co-working community, FLOWN. These are the things that cause one to be in a stronger state of flow (and therefore, enhancing one’s motivation, productivity, learning and creativity).
As we FLOWN Facilitators discussed our fave triggers (eg. the right playlist, a refreshing break, a post-work treat), I had a lightbulb moment. I’m always figuring to fill my allotted focus time. Optimise it in the ‘cram it full and feel most satisfied if successful’ sense. Now I’ve realised that I might improve my short-term output AND my long game if I minimise and simplify. Plan to do five tasks and fill the hour? NO! I’ll put three on the list and feel like a boss as I finish, make a snack and daydream in the kitchen for an extra 15 minutes. I have the classic motorway driving mantra in my head: “Seventy miles an hour is a limit, not a goal”.
I started this new meta-ritual a few days ago. My output hasn’t increased, obviously, but my creativity has gone up 1,000 percent as a result.
Something that jolts…
Ever been in a meeting and listened to a presentation that, whilst interesting, left you feeling “so what?” I witnessed one of these presentations today: marvellous in its endeavour and yet yielding very little. Mark my words, getting a “so what?” is the ultimate wake-up call for a business.
Yes: “so what?” feedback is hurtful for sure - but the brave amongst you should seek this feedback. Seek it from your closest and most trusted supporters. Let me tell you why. Getting this feedback is a blessing because it will jolt you into questioning what your business proposition really is.
A tip: to overcome hurtful feedback, try this instead. Reframe the “so what?” into “and now what?”. Ask yourself this and see where it takes you. In essence, you are boiling down where you are at into a rich origin of what you stand for! Less is more!
“There’s nothing so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all” Peter Drucker, UK management guru
Something toyed with…
When I (Paul) was a young lad, at school, we used to play a game. A game called ‘kick-stone’. It was very simple. You found a stone that rapidly became your favourite stone. And then you kicked it. Down the road. All the way home. The same stone. Try not to kick it too far - you might lose it. Try to kick it far enough that you’d actually get home sooner rather than later.
‘Kick-stone’. What a game. Simple, and making use of what’s around you. The stone was never perfect and rarely made it all the way home. We made it home though. Yeah, we always made it home. Sometimes with our new favourite kick stone.
And then we grow to adults and we play a similar game. It’s called ‘kicking the can down the road’. It’s got a longer name and its purpose is somewhat the opposite of kick-stone. Its purpose is, truth be told, lacking. It lacks outcome, achievement and, of course, is devoid of perseverance and determination. Why do we play this game? What are we scared of? Is it that our can is not that good? Is our can hollow and empty? Does our can embarrass us? Or possibly the can is not really a can. Perhaps not a can you feel you can do?
Perhaps we should call this adult game ‘kick the can’t down the road’.
That might help us to stop.
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