Less, but Superior and Stronger

Every so often, I like to remind myself that this is a blog, a space where I can share lessons I’ve picked up through my journey as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and yes, a blogger. I hope that by sharing these insights, those who find themselves navigating similar paths might find a nugget of wisdom or two. Today, I want to talk about a fresh perspective I’ve embraced in recent weeks.

If you’re familiar with me at all, it’s no secret that I’m crazy about Virtual Reality—Mixed Reality for those sipping the Meta Kool-Aid—and this enthusiasm has historically seen me juggling way too many VR-related projects at once. From blogging and events to contract work and even tinkering with my own products, I’ve been saying "yes" to just about every opportunity that comes my way. Sure, this approach has helped me notch up some achievements across these areas. However, the flipside is that spreading myself too thin can be overwhelming and distracts me from making any meaningful impact.

A few months ago, sparked in part by some intriguing reads (yes, Antifragile among them) and personal experiences, I started rethinking my approach. The new mantra? It’s more beneficial to tackle a few impactful projects than to stretch myself across many insignificant ones. Let me share a bit more about how I came to this conclusion.

Take social media, for example. I’ve been in the habit of tweeting about every fascinating XR-related article I come across, thinking it’s a service to the community when, in reality, those tweets often went unnoticed. It wasn’t just about collecting likes; it was disheartening to realize that valuable content was going unread. After a deeper dive into how X’s algorithm works, I realized the posts were disappearing into the void because they weren’t stimulating dialogue or emotions and, worse, they directed users away from the platform.

Hence, my social media strategy needed an overhaul. I pivoted towards sharing only the most pivotal pieces of content and made an effort to craft engaging posts rather than just tossing up a title and link. I’m not about to stir up political arguments to grab attention, but playing the game well within its boundaries lets more people engage with what I share, potentially leading to new connections.

This principle of prioritizing quality over quantity has filtered into all areas of my life. Previously, I felt an obligation to churn out at least one article a week, on top of my usual roundups—even if it meant posting trivial updates about personal events or minor software tips. The result? Much effort poured into content that didn’t benefit anyone, leading to no growth in followers, reputation, or professional opportunities. I’m learning now to reserve writing time for articles that educate and contribute meaningfully, which is infinitely more satisfying. For instance, a post I wrote about Android XR features made waves online and was picked up by several digital magazines, which significantly boosted my visibility and SEO. Ten throwaway posts saying "I love you, VR community", fun as they would be, wouldn’t have had the same impact.

In my developer role, I used to accept any available contract work. However, a single project worth $100,000 can be far more fruitful than juggling ten $10,000 gigs. Besides, larger projects are more likely to involve reputable clients, offering a chance for profitable long-term relationships and portfolio-building opportunities. Plus, working on a grand project considerably aids professional development; my year-and-a-half stint on the VR concert platform VRROOM, for example, taught me more than several smaller projects combined.

Time, it turns out, is a precious resource, and everything you do bears certain time costs. Managing multiple small projects means multiple contracts, countless update calls, and managing post-delivery issues. In contrast, a big project streamlines these costs, although securing large gigs isn’t always easy and shouldn’t be your exclusive focus. Yet, when the opportunity arises, choosing larger, more impactful projects is a wise move.

I’m sure I’m not breaking new ground with this idea; adherents of Pareto’s principle will nod along, acknowledging that 20% of your efforts typically yield 80% of your results. While simplifying your to-do list doesn’t perfectly map to perfect outcomes, focusing your energies on high-impact areas can lead to significant returns.

The book Antifragile reinforces this idea by discussing life’s "non-linearities"–sometimes, significant inputs yield disproportionately larger outcomes. It stands to reason, then, that quality trumps quantity every time. When you aren’t stretched thin over multiple tasks, the resultant work is richer and more fulfilling, reflecting in your reputation. Work of a higher standard means charging appropriately, which has been a revelation for me after years of putting in the hard yards. Sure, I’m doing fewer projects now, but they’re executed to a higher standard and with greater financial rewards.

Let’s not overstate it, though—quality alone isn’t the golden ticket. Unless you create a singularly revolutionary product or idea, consistent output matters. Consider social media: a viral tweet can rack up 100K likes, yet without continuous engagement, followers aren’t built. Only through regular, interesting content do people start connecting with you on a personal level.

Event networking works similarly. This year, I focused on attending CES, a massive affair, and made every moment count to maximize its value. The result was new connections, a deeper understanding of the XR world, and even a bump in my YouTube following. However, attending one event per year would yield minimal benefits. Years ago, I got worthwhile advice on networking: true connections stem from repeated interactions. While first impressions count, meaningful relationships often build over repeated meetings, bonds strengthening over shared experiences.

Don’t overlook long-term impacts, though. For instance, going viral on LinkedIn today would bring momentary excitement but consider what legacy you’re creating for the next 5-10 years. I’m weaving longer-term tasks into my existing workload—aspiring towards transformative projects or roles that can propel my career forward in a significant way. Knowing where you hope to be will guide what strategic actions you should take now.

And that, in a pretty verbose nutshell, is my little epiphany for today:

Do fewer but more impactful things, for both your present and future. You’ll deliver more value and get more value back while experiencing less stress and more satisfaction.

Feel free to scribble this nugget of wisdom on your toilet paper roll—fitting in its importance for a few crucial moments each day.

I’m not sure if these musings will resonate, but if they do, let me know in the comments. And if you decide to share this post, take a leaf from my book and add a personal touch.