Less but Better and Stronger

Every so often, I take a step back and remind myself that this platform is, at its core, a blog. It’s during these moments I choose to share some of the invaluable lessons I’ve picked up throughout my journey as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. My hope? To offer a sprinkle of insight to others who find themselves navigating similar paths. Today is one of those reflection days, and I’m excited to present a fresh perspective I’ve adopted recently.

If you know me, even just a bit, you’ll know I’ve got quite the fervor for Virtual Reality—or Mixed Reality, as Meta might label it. This enthusiasm has historically propelled me to juggle a multitude of roles at once within this sphere. From blogging and attending myriad events to undertaking contract work and even tinkering with my own product creations. Initially, I had a knack for saying “yes” to virtually any opportunity that came my way. Now, while being open to possibilities can lead to satisfactory outcomes and a broad range of experiences, it can also turn life into a whirlwind. The downside? Perpetual stress and a lack of focus, hindering any real impact.

Some months back, nudged along by inspiring reads (Antifragile being a standout) and personal experiences, I hit upon a new, almost liberating working principle: prioritizing fewer, but more significant, endeavors over scattering efforts across countless minor tasks. Let me explain.

A startling revelation dawned upon me, particularly in the realm of social media. I’d become accustomed to sharing loads of XR-related articles on Twitter/X, driven by a desire to keep the community informed on the latest and greatest. My former routine involved reading an article, hitting the share button, maybe tagging a few hashtags, then posting it. Yet, a pattern emerged—many of these posts floated into the digital void, garnering scant engagement. It wasn’t about racking up likes, but the lack of interaction signaled that few were reading them, rendering my efforts somewhat fruitless. Watching others and digesting insights about Twitter’s algorithm, it became clear: my style didn’t prompt discussions or emotions. Notably, embedding links can doom a post to insignificance within the feed. Ah, the joys of social media algorithms! But let’s not digress.

Key realization: I was squandering time on shares few noticed, producing content that even I questioned the value of. So, I made a switch. Instead of flinging every interesting tidbit at the world, I opted for sharing only the really pertinent ones. And when I did, I aimed to infuse more creativity—less autopilot “title and link” posts, more thoughtful narratives. While I’m not about to spark contentious political debates, I understand I must learn to navigate the algorithm’s waters, striving to share content brimming with information and entertainment. Result? More engagement, meaningful connections, and informed followers.

This same mindset seeped into other aspects of my work. Previously, the pressure to churn out articles weekly (beyond my routine roundups) was overwhelming. Realistically, if I had nothing substantial to share, I’d cobble together a brief update about holidays or events, or perhaps a neat XR software trick. The scenario mirrored the Twitter experience: investing time in articles that didn’t truly contribute to the community, offering no tangible returns. Now, rather than forcing out a superficial piece, I’d prefer to redirect that time towards endeavours of genuine significance. Crafting an article now involves deliberate intent, ensuring I invest my time wisely—and respect my readers’ time as well. This approach can yield significant impacts, like when my Android XR article drew mentions in various online journals, boosting both my reputation and SEO. Ten generic posts couldn’t compete.

Even as a developer, my eyes have opened. Snatching any available contract once seemed the norm, yet comparing numerous smaller $10,000 projects to a single impactful $100,000 one (team achievements, not solely personal gain, mind you) has been eye-opening. Larger projects can entail working with distinguished clients, offering substantial career connections and portfolio highlights. Not to mention, they’re often more challenging, fostering greater professional growth. Case in point, my extensive work on VRROOM, a VR platform for concerts, imparted more lessons over a year and a half than any previous multi-year span.

Managing costs—particularly time—is an overlooked aspect of multiple projects. Each project bears fixed costs: numerous contract negotiations, regular client calls, bug fixes…it quickly adds up. A solitary large project scales these efforts. Don’t misunderstand, finding bigger projects isn’t easy, especially within VR’s fluctuating landscape. But if circumstances allow you a choice, gravitate towards the more substantial ventures.

Perhaps it’s not groundbreaking news, but for my fellow Pareto enthusiasts, you’ll know the drill: 20% of your actions typically generate 80% of your outcomes. Strip down your tasks by 80%, and theoretically, only 20% of the value vanishes. While theoretical, it emphasizes focusing on key priorities over attempting an exhaustive laundry list of tasks.

The book Antifragile reinforces this “non-linear” perspective: significant efforts transcend the impact of numerous small ones. Drop a boulder, and profound differences ensue compared to a deluge of pebbles. Not even comparable results.

Quality is another cornerstone. Juggling countless tasks dilutes quality, whereas a refined focus heightens it. Quality enhances satisfaction, value delivery, reputation—it shapes how I want to be seen professionally. Nowadays, I stand firm on pricing that reflects a decade’s blood, sweat, and VR tears. Fewer projects, increased fees, and superior outputs translate to a healthier work-life synergy.

Yet quality shouldn’t replace quantity. Unless you craft something immortal—like the legendary CTRL+ALT+DEL combo—quality alone won’t forge success. Consider my social media presence. Now and again, I stumble upon tweets gone viral, their authors boasting tens of thousands of likes. Yet their follower counts often remain modest, indicating a fleeting moment of resonance without lasting connection. Grow your following with regular, engaging posts. Only then will you strike a chord with your audience.

Networking is parallel with social media. Adopting the “fewer but better” maxim to events, for instance, led me to CES—a tech mecca—and I poured energy into making it monumental. Exhausting yet fruitful, I departed with fresh bonds, enhanced XR insights, and new YouTube followers. But attending irregularly diminishes returns.

Years back, during a Milan event, I crossed paths with Francesco Ronchi, Synesthesia’s CEO. Hoping for advice on networking, he shared a nugget: Faces seen often make lasting connections. Quick chats are futile if not followed up. Over multiple encounters, relationships form, collaborations blossom. A testament to quality and time.

Let’s wrap up with a touch on lasting impact. A viral LinkedIn post drawing waves of engagement sounds exciting, but where does this leave my career trajectory over 5 to 10 years? Impressive yet transient recognition falls short without long-term strategic planning. The aim? Identify weekly tasks with career-altering potential. Align tasks within your vision for growth or impactful opportunities—steps toward meaningful transformation.

And so, I’ve shared my musings, hoping perhaps they resonate with someone out there. Here’s a quick synopsis of my sprawling discourse:

“Focus on fewer but more impactful initiatives, both for today and tomorrow. Deliver greater value, receive greater rewards, all while reducing stress and enhancing satisfaction.”

Sketch this mantra on your mental notepad or, for humor’s sake, your living space—it’s an apt reminder for pivotal moments in life.

Did these reflections strike a chord? Feel free to share thoughts below or spread this post online—but do so mindfully!

Whether someone needed this pep talk or not, I trust my perspectives contribute to someone’s work-life enhancement.