We want to talk about the statement: “Less is more” today, because it is fresh in Anton’s mind, and there are a lot of misconceptions of what it means.
We want to offer you one perspective (and maybe more) for interpretation and application. Use them only if they resonate.
One misconception or misinterpretation is that “less is more” means that you have to give up something that you like.
The true spiritual path is never about renunciation, because renunciation is the same as attachment, inverted.
Attachment is pulling or grasping, and renunciation is pushing away and resisting.
If you like going to workshops, seminars, retreats, if you like studying or consuming information, keep doing that. By “like”, we mean: if it brings you joy.
Don’t let anyone else tell you what is too much. Only you can know that.
When you consider “less is more”, ask yourself: Less of what?
Less if more is a process of refinement. Of efficiency. Of eliminating noise.
In a light source, less is more means less heat. The more energy is converted into light rather than heat, the more efficient the light source.
In a body movement, like throwing a punch, there are two primary aspects: The strength and velocity of the movement itself and the noise in the system. You need to cultivate both.
To put it another way, there is necessary tension and unnecessary tension.
When you pick up an object off the floor, certain muscles are required and others get in the way. The key to efficient movement is recruiting that which is needed and relaxing the rest. It is focusing your energy on what matters and letting go of what doesn’t matter.
The top performers in any field are really good at that. They eliminate the noise.
Let’s review a few more examples:
In athletic performance, less is more is about giving up what compromises your performance. Could be drinking, inflammatory foods, or other habits that limit your recovery.
In business, it can be focusing on what you enjoy AND are good at AND what the business needs, and eliminating, automating, or delegating the rest.
In swimming, it can be eliminating the movements that create friction.
By the way, less is more is really just the 80/20 principle from another perspective.
The principle states that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of the inputs. For example:
- 80% of revenue comes from 20% of the clients.
- 80% of the wealth is held by 20% of the people
- etc…
In that context, less is more is about eliminating the 80% of the inputs that only produce 20% of the results and doubling down on the 20% of the inputs that matter.
When you do that, more is more.
But more has to be invested with wisdom and discernment.
It is a never-ending process of refinement, of eliminating the noise, the impurities, the obstacles that stand in the way.
It requires a great deal of awareness. And commitment and dedication and holding yourself to a high standard.
That’s why 10X goals can facilitate rapid transformation AND can be easier to achieve at the same time.
10X goals force (in a good way) a change of perspective, a change of consciousness.
When you aim to improve something 30%, you can probably get there by working 30% harder. When you aim to improve something 10X, you can’t just work 10X harder. You have to trim the fat, eliminate what doesn’t matter, and focus on what matters.
That’s “less is more” in action.
In summary
Reflect on your life and how you spend your time.
Reflect on what you want.
Set the intention to refine your life, so that it may improve. To eliminate what has no value, and especially that which has negative value.
And orient all this around your joy.
The purpose is not to become an efficient, joyless machine. Optimizing something that doesn’t bring you joy is the ultimate failure.
Give up only that which doesn’t serve you, and remember that only you know what that is.
Don’t try to make your life fit somebody else’s template.
That is all.