Less, Superior, More Resilient

Every now and then, I remind myself that this is a blog, where I like to share some of the valuable lessons I’ve picked up throughout my career as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. My hope is that these insights might resonate with others who are walking a path similar to mine. Today, I want to discuss a new perspective I’ve adopted in recent weeks.

If you’re familiar with my work, you’re likely aware of my deep passion for Virtual Reality, or as some call it, Mixed Reality. This enthusiasm has often led me to juggle multiple roles—blogging, attending events, taking on contract gigs, and occasionally trying my hand at creating my own products. Earlier in my career, I had a tendency to say “yes” to almost every opportunity that came my way. On the upside, this allowed me to explore various aspects of the industry and achieve satisfying results across these ventures. However, it also led to stress and a lack of the necessary focus to truly excel.

A few months back, partly inspired by some enlightening reads (with “Antifragile” being a noteworthy mention), and experiences that hit home, I realized an important truth: it’s more effective to engage in fewer high-impact activities than to spread oneself thin over many minor ones. Let me elaborate.

This realization began in the realm of social media. I loved sharing every interesting XR-related article I stumbled upon on Twitter/X, aiming to keep my community informed. However, I noticed that these posts garnered minimal engagement. It wasn’t the likes that concerned me; it was the realization that my efforts were largely going unnoticed. My observations and reading suggested that the platform’s algorithms favored posts that sparked meaningful conversations or elicited emotional responses, rather than those that led users away from the site. This led to the realization that my time spent sharing these articles was yielding little in return—no informed readers, no new followers, no expanded network.

Acknowledging this, I decided to change my strategy. Instead of sharing every fascinating link, I began focusing on those I deemed most significant, putting more creativity and thought into each post to make it engaging, rather than merely posting a link and title (which, admittedly, I still do on occasion). It wasn’t about bending to the whims of social media trends, but rather about ensuring my posts were genuinely informative and valuable to those who stumbled upon them. This shift has generally resulted in greater engagement and new connections.

This approach extends beyond social media to all facets of my work. I used to feel compelled to publish at least one article per week, regardless of whether I had something noteworthy to discuss. Often these posts were placeholders—short announcements about holidays, events, or quick XR tips. Much like those fleeting Twitter engagements, these efforts seldom resulted in meaningful community interaction or growth. Now, unless I have something genuinely impactful to write about, I prefer not to write at all. This way, when I do craft a piece, it holds more weight, benefiting both me and my readers.

In development projects, I also learned that securing a single substantial project is more advantageous than juggling several smaller ones. A larger project presents opportunities to forge strong client relationships, create noteworthy work to showcase, and significantly advance one’s professional skills. For example, working on the VR platform VRROOM for concerts taught me more about development and management in a year and a half than I had learned in the previous several years combined.

Every endeavor has its costs, primarily in terms of time. Managing multiple smaller projects means frequent contract negotiations, updates, bug fixes, and customer interactions. A single, larger project simplifies these demands. While finding substantial projects can be challenging, I advocate pursuing them when circumstances allow, choosing projects that hold the promise of greater significance and growth.

This isn’t groundbreaking advice. Pareto’s principle reminds us that 20% of our efforts produce 80% of our results. Thus, by focusing on those few crucial tasks, we can achieve more without constant action.

The book “Antifragile” highlights life’s “non-linear” nature—how a few significant actions can outweigh numerous smaller ones. If you drop a large stone on someone, the impact is vastly different than dropping hundreds of pebbles.

Quality is another essential factor. When you’re overwhelmed by numerous tasks, quality suffers. By doing less, you can focus on excellence. High-quality work enhances satisfaction, creates more value for others, and boosts your reputation. I’ve always held quality in high regard, and now I associate it with my reputation. Previously hesitant, I now confidently charge what my expertise is worth, knowing I deliver on quality.

Still, it’s not just about quality. Consistent output is key. On social media, for instance, a single viral post might draw likes, but consistent, engaging content builds a dedicated following over time. Quality must be delivered regularly to foster lasting connections, be it on social media or in real-life networking.

Reflecting on events, the “fewer but better” approach served me well. Attending CES this year, I aimed for maximum impact, ending with rich connections and new insights. Yet sporadic event attendance would yield little in return. Crafting strong relationships often requires multiple encounters.

Years ago, at an event in Milan, I met Francesco Ronchi, a notable IT company CEO. He once told me that meaningful connections are often built by repeatedly showing up. Seeing someone at multiple events can gradually deepen relationships, sometimes leading to friendships or collaborations. This insight underscores the importance of combining quality with quantity—consistently delivering good work over time.

Lastly, I urge you to consider long-term impact. Immediate recognition can be gratifying, but think about how your actions contribute to your long-term goals. Besides my typical projects, I deliberately allocate time for tasks with the potential to significantly shape my career, paving the way for larger opportunities down the line.

In conclusion, the key takeaway is simple: Focus on doing fewer, more meaningful tasks for both your present and future. This approach not only enhances value but fosters satisfaction and reduces stress. Tape this mantra to your desk—it’s certainly relevant.

I hope these reflections resonate with some of you, perhaps offering a fresh perspective on managing your professional journey. If they do, I’d love to hear from you in the comments—even better if you share this post with a thoughtful contribution of your own!