Less but Better and Stronger

Every now and then, I remind myself that this platform is essentially a blog, and I take the opportunity to share insights from my journey as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. My hope is that these lessons can be of some help to others navigating similar paths. Today feels like one of those times when I should talk about a new strategy I’ve adopted recently.

If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know I have a deep-seated love for Virtual Reality (or Mixed Reality, as Meta might refer to it). My enthusiasm often drives me to juggle multiple projects in this space—whether it’s blogging, attending events, picking up contract work, or trying to create my own products. In the early stages, I had a habit of eagerly saying “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. On one hand, this eagerness allowed me to explore many avenues and achieve meaningful outcomes. On the other hand, spreading myself too thin has often led to stress and a lack of focus necessary to make a significant impact.

This realization started to dawn on me a few months ago, partially thanks to some insightful reads, with “Antifragile” being among them, and a few personal experiences that hit home. This all led to a guiding principle in my professional life: it’s more beneficial to focus on a few impactful tasks than to tackle numerous trivial ones. Let me dive deeper into what that means.

Social media was one of the first areas where I applied this thinking. I used to share a plethora of XR-related articles on Twitter/X—compelled by the excitement of informing my community about riveting developments. This involved skimming a post, clicking the share button, adding a couple of hashtags, and then hitting publish. However, over time, I noticed these posts garnered minimal engagement. It wasn’t just about racking up likes; it was a clear indication that my efforts were going unnoticed, rendering the act of sharing somewhat pointless. After observing successful practices by others and delving into discussions on X’s new algorithms, I found out that these posts didn’t catch on because they didn’t spark conversations, evoke emotions, or because they included external links which diminished their visibility.

Acknowledging this, I decided to change my sharing habits. Instead of sharing every fascinating article, I now focus on only the most pertinent ones and put effort into crafting more engaging posts. I aim to sidestep algorithm pitfalls without succumbing to the temptation of controversial content, by enhancing the value and appeal of my shared content. Gradually, this approach draws more readers to my posts, and in turn, often leads to enriching connections.

This mindset extends across all my endeavors. Previously, I felt an annual pull to churn out at least one article per week, beyond my regular summaries. This sometimes led to rushed compositions about any topic at hand, be it holiday reflections, event recaps, or quick tech tips. As with those Twitter/X posts, the effort often seemed fruitless—producing content that didn’t sufficiently engage the community or foster growth in followers or connections. Now, if I don’t have something substantial to say, I prioritize other activities. When I do write, I ensure the content is valuable, justifying the investment of both my time and that of my readers. Following this method, some pieces have gained significant traction. A piece I wrote on Android XR’s camera access, for example, landed my blog mentions in various online publications, bolstering my reputation and SEO much more effectively than a flurry of less substantial posts ever could.

As a developer, I used to grasp at any available contract work, but quickly realized how one lucrative project is far more valuable than several smaller ones. A substantial project, such as a single $100,000 collaboration with a reputable client, opens doors to more profitable relationships and can enrich my professional portfolio. It also offers a deeper and more challenging learning curve, enhancing my skills far beyond many modest, quick gigs. My experience working on VRROOM, a groundbreaking VR concert platform, for a year and a half taught me more about development and management than the two to three previous years combined—a testament to the value of deeper commitments.

Every project undertaken requires a spend of time and other resources, with even smaller tasks carrying their own fixed costs. Managing numerous small projects often entails negotiating multiple contracts, maintaining a slew of client communications, and juggling post-delivery fixes—efforts that would be curtailed with a larger, single project. Understandably, sizable projects are harder to secure, but it’s a pursuit worth considering when possible, as the long-term gains far outweigh the short-term scramble for smaller parts.

My takeaway isn’t groundbreaking—many of you may know Pareto’s principle: 20% of actions yield 80% of the results. This suggests that shedding 80% of lower-value tasks might only reduce your impact by 20%. While this is theoretical, it indicates that prioritizing key actions could vastly enhance our productivity.

Reading “Antifragile” enlightened me on life’s nonlinear nature—how significant initiatives can dwarf the cumulative impact of minor ones. Consider the difference between a single, large boulder’s effect and a shower of small pebbles. The large boulder’s impact vastly eclipses that of all those tiny stones combined.

Quality is another factor that can’t go overlooked. Spreading oneself too thin inevitably saps the ability to deliver high-quality work. Focusing on fewer tasks affords the time and energy to create superior outcomes, enhancing satisfaction, delivering more value, and raising professional standing. This focus has become a cornerstone of my work ethos—ensuring my output is synonymous with quality. Previously, I felt uneasy about charging more for my services, but now I recognize my worth after a decade of dedication in this field. I am committed to undertaking fewer projects, asking for fair compensation, and delivering exceptional results. While my workload remains heavy, it’s markedly more balanced and satisfying.

Of course, quality alone isn’t a panacea. Rarely does a single accomplishment secure lasting success—it typically demands a repeated effort. Look at social media: a viral tweet might garner thousands of likes, yet without continued engagement, it rarely translates into lasting influence or a follower surge. Consistency and quality remain key in nurturing meaningful engagement.

This perspective also translates to networking and event participation. Embracing “fewer but better” also means being selective about events, maximizing the value of each attendance. This year, for instance, my experience at CES—a major tech expo—was physically exhausting, yet it expanded my network, deepened my industry insight, and grew my audience. Conversely, sporadic event attendance would yield minimal benefits.

Years ago, a chance meeting at a Milan event with Francesco Ronchi, CEO of the IT firm Synesthesia, taught me a crucial networking insight: genuine connections often form after multiple encounters. A single encounter can plant a seed, but repeated interactions foster deeper, more fruitful relationships—a truth I’ve found repeatedly validated. Initial connections might spark instantly, or unfold gradually, but consistency and presence are key to forming them.

Finally, while focusing on high-quality, impactful endeavors, keeping an eye on the long-term horizon is crucial. Sure, a LinkedIn post going viral is a nice ego boost, but what does it truly do for career trajectory over the next few years?

Beyond my regular work, which is already quite unconventional, I’m keenly exploring strategic tasks that promise to significantly enhance my career in the long run—pursuits that could eventually lead to pioneering projects, managerial roles in large corporations, or even broader public recognition.

These future-oriented activities often take substantial time to materialize, but they are vital in steering my career toward greater ambitions. Naturally, defining your long-term goals will illuminate the tasks that align with them.

That about wraps up my musings for today. To sum it all up:

Do fewer, but more impactful things, both for your present and future. You’ll bring more value into the world and receive greater rewards, all with less stress and greater satisfaction.

Feel free to put this snippet of wisdom to good use—perhaps jot it down as a gentle reminder. Ultimately, while I’m not sure if anyone needed this pep talk, I sincerely hope my reflections spark some inspiration for improving your professional journey. If it does, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments or see this post thoughtfully shared on social media.