Do More by Doing Less: Why Focus Beats Overload in Performance and Projects
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that doing 100 things at once is the key to success. But here’s a thought: *what if doing less, but doing it better, was actually the answer?*
This is a lesson I’ve learned both in the world of projects and in sport performance. Let me explain why focusing on one thing at a time and doing it well leads to better results in the long run.
The Power of Doing One Thing at 100%
Trying to juggle too many tasks at once is like trying to row a boat with each crew member rowing at a different pace. The result? Chaos. Disastrous performance.
On the other hand, when you commit to just one task and give it your all, you make real progress. You finish it. You move on to the next. Then the next. This way, you’re gradually building momentum and achieving more, one step at a time.
Quick Wins Build Momentum, But Beware the Trap
We’ve all heard about the power of quick wins and momentum. They’re often seen as stepping stones that get things moving. But if we focus only on the short-term gains, we risk neglecting the long-term solutions that are truly needed.
Quick fixes can give us a sense of achievement in the short term, but if they don’t align with the bigger picture, they might just be adding more problems down the road. When you prioritize immediate fixes at the expense of long-term solutions, you’re essentially placing a Band-Aid over a broken system.
The Big Picture: Alignment and Cohesion
Imagine you’re in a rowing boat with four excellent rowers, each excelling at different speeds. One’s at 26 strokes per minute, another at 27, another at 28, and the last one at 29. Even though each person is performing excellently on their own, the boat won’t move in harmony.
The key is alignment. To make the boat go faster, all rowers need to work together, with a shared rhythm and common cadence. It’s not about individual excellence—it’s about collective coherence.
This is where systems thinking comes into play. Instead of relying on individual silos of excellence, we need to consider how the pieces fit together. A car with the best engine, wheels, and chassis doesn’t necessarily make the best car if they’re not properly aligned. The same applies to teams and projects.
Coproduction and the IKEA Effect: Embracing Collaboration
Earlier this year, I discussed coproduction—the idea of getting people involved in the creation process. Initially, I was skeptical. I believed that experts working together would lead to better results. But I’ve been persuaded otherwise.
The IKEA effect shows that people are more likely to value and commit to something they’ve helped create. This principle applies to projects and teams. Collaboration, even if it results in suboptimal outcomes at first, leads to solutions that are more likely to be adopted and supported. When people feel they have a stake in something, they’re more likely to buy into the idea and make it work.
Balancing Individual Focus and Collaboration
In my past experiences, both as a project manager and as an athlete, my success came from a strong, singular focus on delivering results. But now, I see the value in collaboration and compromise. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection or to focus on individual achievement. However, true success comes from finding a balance between leading with purpose and working together as a team.
Change is never easy. Not everyone will be happy, and not every approach will be a winner. But this is where strong leadership comes into play. It’s about empowering and supporting others without compromising on delivery.
Top Tips for Balancing Focus and Collaboration
1. Prioritize your tasks: Focus on what truly matters, and give it your full attention.
2. Find the right rhythm: Like rowers in a boat, alignment and cohesion are key to success.
3. Use quick wins wisely: Build momentum, but don’t sacrifice long-term solutions for short-term gains.
4. Embrace collaboration: Get people involved in the process to build ownership and buy-in.
5. Stay focused on delivery: Leadership is about getting things done, not just being a spectator.
Self-Evaluation Checklist
– Are you spreading yourself too thin with too many projects?
– Are you focusing on short-term solutions at the expense of long-term results?
– Do you ensure alignment and coherence in your team or project?
– Are you embracing collaboration and involving others in the creation process?
– Are you balancing individual performance with the collective good of the team?
Final Thought: Is focusing on one thing at a time the key to better results? Or is it about balancing focus and collaboration for sustainable success? Let’s discuss.