Do Less, but Better
At some point in our short careers as rafting guides we all started wearing the Stand Up Short. We had no idea that the man largely responsible for the modernization of climbing, Yvon Chouninard was the inventor, or that these tough shorts (the canvas material was so stiff they could literally stand up by themselves) would set a standard for what would become the worldwide Patagonia brand.
We just liked that they lasted longer than cut-off jeans.
The Patagonia brand was still a year away and Chouinard was focused on perfecting two things: equipment to allow climbers to ‘clean climb’ and rugged gear for them to wear.
More than five decades later, Patagonia and their contrarian “buy less, buy better” ethos are stronger than ever. And so are their loyal customers.
More is better
I grew up in a culture of more is better. The strong post-war economy and mass marketing fueled a drive to buy more stuff for the house, more food for the pantry and bigger, better cars and homes. Careers were measured by how far you advanced (and got paid), families by how many children you could handle, and marriages by how long they lasted. It was a ‘get more, do more, be more’ culture.
Kind of ironic that as we got more freedom we put so much focus on having less of it.
Advice is that way.
If you want to eat healthier there are lots of authors and experts happy to give you advice. You can learn all about carbs, protein, macronutrients, vitamins, antioxidants - even when to eat. The science might be a little muddy, but the promise is clear: more is better.
Same goes for exercise, sleep, relationships, and managing your time.
More complicated
““Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.” ”
For years I taught workshops intended to help people be more productive while somehow having more free time. As my war chest of advice got bigger my PowerPoint decks got longer and handouts got thicker.
I had it stuck in my head that if you took care of the minutes the hours and days would take care of themselves. It was sort of like thinking that if you put all your attention on being a better driver the car will magically take you to where you need to go.
What I didn’t appreciate was how it was possible to do less and have more.
Less, but better
““It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.” ”
The Wizard behind the curtain who inspired the Jony Ive-led designs of the iconic Apple products was the architect turned industrial designer Dieter Rams. “Less, but better,” Rams wrote in his influential list of 10 Principles of Good Design, “because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials.”
The less, but better philosophy led to single dial on the iPod, the simplicity of the Apple user-interface - even Job’s attack on Apple’s bloated product line in 1997 when he returned to Apple.
What about less, but better in life?
In life
““Be willing to let it be easy.” ”
Here are some simple ways you can experiment with doing less but better.
Time - enjoy a morning news-free. Sit quietly, relax and feel grateful (not task-ful) and simply be in a moment unburdened by ‘must-do’s’ or worrying about the latest disaster in the news.
Possessions - at least twice a year do a major purge of old, boring, and little-used possessions. Sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or call a charity for pickup. In just the last few years I have sold stationery bikes, wetsuits, kayaks, furniture and tools—not once have I regretted it.
Exercise - most people think they need more exercise than they actually do and end up doing less than they hoped to do. Be realistic. If you want to start a regular exercise routine, 10 minutes a day is more than zero. Keep it simple, do it daily and record the results. More can come when you are ready.
Presence - practice be a little tiny bit more present. Instead of one-upping someone, ask a question. Instead of worrying how you might sound, speak up in a meeting. Instead of distractions, clear your workspace and enjoy single-tasking.
Expectations - plan to accomplish less, but better. Overestimating what you can get done in a day or week is a setup for a setback. Instead pick your top three priorities and only work on those until complete. Everything else is a bonus.
Want more? Here are three short articles all about doing less, but better.
Small Wins - Why Little Steps are the Path to Big Rewards
Keynotes and workshops by Hugh Culver
