Less, but Superior and More Robust

Every so often, I remind myself that this is indeed a blog, a place where I can share insights and lessons I’ve gathered from my career as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. My hope is that these experiences might resonate with others facing similar challenges. Today seems like a perfect moment to discuss a new strategy I’ve been testing out recently.

If you’re familiar with me, you’re likely aware of my deep-seated passion for Virtual Reality—or as Meta might term it, Mixed Reality. This enthusiasm has often led me down paths where I’m juggling too many things at once. From blogging and attending events to handling contract work and even dabbling in my own product development, I’ve kept my plate quite full. Initially, my default response to opportunities was a resounding “yes.” While this approach allowed me to explore and achieve a fair degree of success across these areas, it also introduced stress and diluted my focus, making it tough to truly excel in any single endeavor.

A few months back, spurred by some insightful books—Antifragile being one of them—and a bit of self-reflection, I stumbled upon a new rule that now guides my work life: doing fewer impactful things is more beneficial than dabbling in numerous less significant activities. Here’s how I came to this realization.

Social media played a huge role in this learning curve. I used to share countless XR-related articles on Twitter/X, eager to spread the knowledge I found engaging. My routine involved reading an article, hitting the share button, adding a couple of hashtags, and posting it. However, I noticed these posts rarely generated engagement, which meant they were, effectively, not reaching anyone. As I delved into why this was happening, considering both community feedback and algorithm insights, I realized that the posts weren’t sparking discussions or evoking any real emotion. In essence, they were just disappearing into the void, not gaining traction due to their external links. It hit me that I was pouring time into something that wasn’t benefiting anyone—not in terms of gaining followers, building connections, or informing others.

Acknowledging this, I shifted my approach. Instead of sharing everything that piqued my interest, I became more selective, focusing on content that truly matters. When crafting these more focused posts, I invested additional effort to make them engaging and informative, straying away from the habit of indiscriminately publishing titles and links. My goal isn’t to provoke heated debates but to play by the rules of engagement and ensure my posts maintain relevance and interest. This strategy has led to better connections and increased readership.

This newfound mindset applies across my work spectrum. Previously, I felt compelled to publish at least one article weekly beyond my regular updates, even if this meant hastily putting together posts about minor events or quick software tips. These articles mirrored my previous social media practices in that they consumed time yet offered little value in return. Now, instead of producing shallow pieces, I prefer saving that time to engage in activities more beneficial to me. The articles I do write now are more thought-out, ensuring their worth for both my readers and myself. By adopting this approach, some of my posts, such as the one about Android XR enabling camera access, have resonated significantly, elevating my blog’s exposure and enhancing my reputation.

Similarly, as a developer, I once accepted any contract work available. Yet tackling a larger, $100,000 project—even as part of a team—proves far more rewarding than multiple smaller $10,000 jobs. Larger projects not only offer the potential for noteworthy collaborations and impressive portfolio additions but also enhance professional growth. For instance, my work on the VR concert platform, VRROOM, over a year and a half, taught me more about development and management than several years of smaller projects combined.

Undeniably, every undertaking demands a time investment. Managing multiple projects involves numerous contracts, updates, and potential fixes, each consuming resources. Although securing one significant project can be challenging, it’s often more rewarding in the long run in terms of quality and growth. It’s not about refusing smaller projects altogether—especially considering VR’s current niche status—but about prioritizing opportunities with greater potential impact.

This isn’t groundbreaking news. If you’re a fan of Pareto, like I am, you know that 20% of your efforts typically yield 80% of your results. Theoretically, eliminating 80% of your tasks would only reduce your outcome by 20%. While merely theoretical, it underscores focusing on significant activities for maximum value.

Antifragile explores life’s “non-linearities,” highlighting how fewer, larger-impact actions often outweigh many smaller ones. A single boulder causes significantly more damage than a thousand pebbles.

Quality is another crucial factor. Overcommitting can detract from the quality of your work. When you narrow your focus, you can deliver exceptional results, fostering satisfaction and enhancing your reputation. I’ve always prioritized quality in my roles as a developer and entrepreneur. Sharing this with a belief in my worth by charging appropriately reflects my career commitment, enabling me to produce better results and maintain balance.

However, success doesn’t stem from isolated quality alone. My Twitter example illustrates how one viral post doesn’t equate to significant follower growth. Sustainable growth hinges on consistently delivering engaging content that fosters genuine interest and connection.

This philosophy extends to events. Adopting a “fewer but better” mindset led me to CES, a major tech event where I maximized opportunities for networking and learning about the XR space, though exhausting. Consistent participation in events facilitates deeper connections, echoing advice I received from Francesco Ronchi, CEO of Synesthesia, about the power of repeated interactions for meaningful networking.

Finally, while focusing on quality and consistency, consider your actions’ long-term impact. Think beyond immediate rewards to how your efforts can shape your career over decades. This strategic foresight directs my focus alongside my existing work, aiding career progression and aiming for substantial achievements.

In conclusion, to distill this lengthy discourse: prioritize fewer, more impactful endeavors for current and future benefit. You’ll achieve more value, experience less stress, and find greater satisfaction. Engrave this philosophy in your mind—or perhaps on your bathroom mirror, a fitting metaphor for the few truly essential moments in our daily routines.

Hopefully, these reflections resonate and perhaps even motivate others to refine their work approach. If this strikes a chord, feel free to share your thoughts or the post itself, putting genuine effort into it.