Less Is More: Quality Over Quantity

Occasionally, I remind myself that I’m running a blog here, so it’s nice to share some insights from my journey as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. Today is one of those days, and I want to discuss a fresh perspective I’ve recently adopted.

Those familiar with me know that I’m deeply passionate about Virtual Reality—Mixed Reality, as Meta might say. This passion often pushes me to juggle too many tasks at once in this field. Whether it’s blogging, attending events, freelancing, or attempting to create my own products, I’ve always been the type to say “yes” to every opportunity. While it’s rewarding to dabble in numerous ventures and achieve decent outcomes, running in every direction inevitably leads to stress and a lack of focus on significant achievements.

A few months back, after digesting several enlightening books (including “Antifragile”), I began reflecting on how I work. It hit me: prioritizing fewer, impactful endeavors brings more value than scattering efforts across many minor pursuits. Let’s explore this further.

Take social media as an example: I used to flood Twitter/X with XR-related articles I found intriguing, eager to educate the community. It was all about reading posts, hitting the share button, and adding hashtags. Yet, it didn’t take long to notice most of my shares faded into the digital ether, garnering little interaction. It’s not about chasing likes, but realizing that if no one reads what you share, your efforts are in vain. Paying closer attention to how others succeed on X and studying the platform’s algorithm revealed that such posts weren’t rewarded since they didn’t encourage dialogue or emotion. Worse, the external links often meant they got buried by the algorithm.

I was wasting my time on content that hardly anyone engaged with. The solution? Share what truly stands out to me and invest more effort to craft engaging posts around it. I aim not to ignite divisive debates, yet I recognize the necessity of adapting to the rules of the game. By sharing more substantial, interesting content, I’ve noticed an increase in meaningful interactions and new connections.

This approach applies to more than just social media for me. Previously, I pressured myself to churn out at least one article a week, even if it meant writing something superficial. Whether it was a holiday announcement or a quick XR software tip, these posts rarely offered substantial value. The outcome? No real gain—no followers, no added credibility, no professional ties. Now, when I feel compelled to pen something, I prioritize meaningful, informative content that resonates with me and my audience, rather than rushing to say anything at all.

As a developer, I used to take on any contract work I could snag. However, I’ve found greater value in pursuing larger projects—even one worth $100,000—than multiple small ones equating to the same amount. Larger projects often align with reputable clients, offer the chance to create something noteworthy for my portfolio, and provide immense opportunities for personal and professional growth. Take my experience working on the VR platform VRROOM, for example—it’s been more educational and fulfilling than several smaller gigs combined.

It’s essential to consider the costs—especially time—associated with any task. A single substantial project consolidates negotiations, meetings, and post-completion feedback, while juggling smaller gigs multiplies those demands. Of course, finding those significant projects is tougher, but worth striving for if possible.

I’m not claiming to unveil anything revolutionary here. Most of us are familiar with the Pareto Principle: 80% of your results stem from 20% of your efforts. This suggests cutting back on less fruitful tasks to preserve what’s truly impactful. But as with everything, focusing on quality is critical. Multitasking can dilute quality, and true satisfaction and reputation come from delivering excellent work. I’ve always prided myself on quality, pairing it with fair compensation now that my experience justifies it, allowing for healthier work dynamics.

Remember, though, quality alone doesn’t pave the road to success. Consistency plays a crucial role; sustained excellence is what cultivates recognition and followers. Whether in social media or networking, being present and consistently delivering quality work builds stronger relationships and career advancements.

Finally, think long-term. Short bursts of success—like a viral post—are gratifying but may lack lasting impact. Consider what actions today can carve a significant trajectory in your career for the future. Whether it’s laying the groundwork for a major project or stepping into a managerial role, aligning daily tasks with future goals is integral to meaningful career progression.

To wrap this up: aim for fewer, yet more influential actions to deliver and receive greater worth, while reducing the stress load. And if this resonates, feel free to share your thoughts with me, or share this post with some extra effort. Thanks for reading!