Less but Better and Stronger

Every now and again, I like to remind myself that this is a blog—a space where I get to share some of the valuable lessons I’ve picked up during my career as a VR developer, entrepreneur, and writer. My hope is that these insights might prove helpful to others who find themselves navigating similar paths. Today feels like one of those times, so I want to chat about a new approach I’ve embraced over the past few weeks.

If you know me even a little, you’re aware of my deep-seated passion for Virtual Reality (or Mixed Reality, as Meta prefers to call it). This enthusiasm often drives me to juggle multiple ventures in this dynamic field. I write, attend numerous events, tackle freelance projects, and occasionally even attempt to create my own products. Initially, I was quick to accept every project that came my way. On the plus side, this eagerness allowed me to achieve some notable outcomes across various domains. However, the downside was that juggling so many tasks became overwhelming and diluted my focus, preventing me from making a significant impact in any single area.

This train of thought began several months ago, bolstered by a few eye-opening books—Antifragile being one of them—and some personal experiences. Eventually, it led me to a new guiding principle: it’s more rewarding to pursue fewer, but more impactful, endeavors than to dilute my time across many insignificant ones. Let me explain further.

Social media was one of the areas where I started applying this mindset. I regularly posted links to XR-related articles on platforms like Twitter because I wanted to share intriguing finds with my community. However, I noticed that most of these posts gained little traction. Realizing this was less about tallying likes and more about seeing that no one was actually engaging with the content led me to conclude that I was effectively talking to a void. After observing others and absorbing some insights about X’s latest algorithms, it became clear that content that failed to provoke discussion or stir emotions was being buried. This realization prompted me to reconsider my strategy: I was spending valuable time on something that brought no benefit in terms of audience growth or meaningful connections.

Determined to change my approach, I started being selective about what I shared, focusing on topics I felt were genuinely valuable. By investing more effort in crafting posts—rather than simply sharing headlines—I hoped to produce content that resonated more with readers, sidestepping any algorithm traps that demanded more engagement. While still steering clear of divisive subjects, I aimed for my posts to provide useful and interesting information, resulting in more interactions and even new contacts.

This principle of quality over quantity extends to other aspects of my work too. In the past, driven by a self-imposed pressure to produce at least one article a week, I often churned out content that was of little substance—announcements, festive greetings, or quick insights, for instance. Yet, similar to my social media experiment, these efforts seldom paid off. These articles took time to produce without providing tangible returns in the form of followers or professional connections. I now prefer to write nothing rather than rush out a superficial piece, opting instead to invest my time in things that matter.

As a developer, I also used to take every contract that came my way. But, I realized that securing a large project worth $100,000 (though not all for me, alas) provides more professional growth, credibility, and opportunities than tackling ten smaller projects of $10,000 each. The larger project presents unique challenges, involves reputable clients, and is something worth showcasing. My experience working on the massive 18-month VRROOM concert platform taught me more about development and management than several smaller projects combined.

Everything we do has associated costs, particularly in time, but also in terms of fixed commitments. Managing ten projects involves negotiating ten separate contracts, handling multiple client meetings, and dealing with numerous issues post-delivery. By contrast, a single large project consolidates these efforts under one umbrella. While landing major projects is undoubtedly harder, it’s worth pursuing them when possible—choose quality and significance over sheer volume.

It’s not an earth-shattering revelation—any follower of Pareto’s principle will tell you that 20% of what we do yields 80% of the results. This suggests that by focusing on the essential few activities, you can derive the majority of your gains.

I recall Antifragile discussing the nonlinearities of life: monumental things often wield far more influence than a multitude of smaller actions. This analogy captures the essence; while a boulder can inflict significant damage, scatter it into a thousand pebbles and its impact dramatically diminishes.

I’d like to underline the importance of quality too—a factor often compromised by our attempts to multitask. By focusing on fewer tasks, we’re able to deliver well-crafted work, which enhances our reputation and fulfills us on a personal level. Since becoming more discerning, I strive to maintain high standards in my collaborations, advocating for fair compensation based on the expertise and dedication I bring to the table.

That said, longevity and consistent presence also hold their own merit. Even an individual tweet that goes viral doesn’t necessarily translate to sustained success. It’s regular, meaningful interaction that forges lasting relationships and trust.

Networking at events has taught me similar lessons. I apply the “fewer but better” mentality to these occasions too, like when I attended CES—one of the tech industry’s most significant events—fully committing to maximizing its potential for new contacts and insights. Yet, building deep connections requires repeated encounters, as fleeting introductions rarely cement lasting bonds.

Years ago, at a networking event in Milan, Francesco Ronchi, CEO of Synesthesia, gave me invaluable advice—true connections are cultivated over multiple interactions. The same goes for events: regular attendance builds familiarity and strengthens ties. It’s about fostering relationships over time through consistent quality.

Finally, prioritize tasks that promise long-term impact. Imagine posting on LinkedIn for massive views and connections, but the question is: does it propel your career forward in the next decade?

While continuing my regular work, I’m also considering what deliberate steps I can take weekly to make a lasting difference in my career. This aligns with my thoughts on VR careers, emphasizing the significance of fewer, more substantial projects and nurturing big opportunities that can catapult you forward.

So, there’s today’s train of thought in a nutshell. Focus on achieving a few significant goals for both present and future gains. You’ll produce more value and receive more in return while enjoying a more satisfying, less stressful professional life.

Funny as it might sound, you could jot down this message on a piece of toilet paper—an apt metaphor since it’s something you use during crucial moments of your day.

I don’t know if this is the advice you needed, but I hope sharing my experiences might offer some guidance. If it resonates, do let me know in the comments, or better yet, share this post—with care and thoughtfulness, of course!