Less Is More

As a thinker, creator, and writer, I constantly ponder the oddities of the universe.

In this post, I’ll touch on the idea that “Less Is More” and why this concept is a tool to engage the present moment more effectively.

Imagine the feeling of discovering a delightful new experience; a beautiful place, tasty dish, or exhilarating activity. Whatever it may be, consider the sense of awe which comes from focusing 100% of your attention on the current moment.

As a child, finding awe is easy. Everything seems new, because it is. But, as we grow up, expectations begin to align with observations more often. After first visiting Disneyland, life seems complete, heaven realized. Now, you’d rather go to Vegas for the weekend. That park which once represented the chance to explore undiscovered territory, is now just a glance out the window on the morning commute. The satisfaction of mastering a new academic concept, musical instrument, or sport, doesn’t come around as often. The simple gratification of advancing from one grade level to the next is replaced by the pressure to work hard for promotion.  Horror movies don’t scare you like they used to. Somehow, simple pleasures in life are overlooked.

This is where the idea that ‘Less is More’ comes in. Order a root beer next time you go to dinner. When you take the first sip, note the explosion of taste, the crisp, frosty glass, and the shiver of pleasure afterwards. Take another sip. The drink still tastes great, but that special, first-sip punch is missing. Finish the drink and order another one. Then a third. If you somehow experience the same amount of satisfaction across all three of your Root Beers, give me a call and I will reimburse you for the trouble.  In economics, the concept at play is called “diminishing marginal utility.” Essentially, diminishing marginal utility means that as you continue to consume a given input, the output(in utils) decreases.

Keep drinking those root beers (or eating Pizza slices) and soon the joy you receive begins to decrease. By your 5th or 6th, you will get the point: ‘Less is More’.

In many cases, more is better (until consumption becomes excessive). Drinking more water is better than less. Working out more is healthier than working out less. Studying more is better than studying less. Spending more time with your friends and family is better than spending less. Drinking more beers is better than drinking less… well, maybe not. The point is, how much of something we consume dictates how much utility we derive from said consumption.

Now, let’s find a few examples where ‘Less Is More.’

Drinking less soda means you get more out of each soda you drink. Going out to dinner less often makes each dinner outing more special. Consuming alcohol less frequently makes each time you drink more enjoyable. Spending less time with your family and friends means the time you do spend with them is more meaningful. Posting less on social media means each post determines more about how your peers perceive you. Sleeping in less commonly makes just an extra hour a treat. Lowering your expectations means you will get more out of the moment.

Several famous authors and historical figures have used a variation of the phrase, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Packing powerful rhetoric into short messages requires additional effort and ability.

However, the elephant in the room: the power of habit. One American, Jebidiah, realized that, “Routine is the enemy of time. It makes it fly by.” Jebidiah decided to quit his job and spend a year riding his bike from Oregon to the tip of South America. Although his example is radical, he makes a rational point: falling into habits and daily routines reduces our ability to be awed, get inspired, and find passion.

 

The difference between someone who complains about minute details and someone who lives it up rain or shine, is purely psychological. There is no reason why one person should enjoy the same experience more than the person sitting next to them, but sometimes, that’s how it goes. I saw this phenomenon play out on a whale-watching tour in Kauai. Picture twelve tourists, a local or two, and the boat’s captain, all crammed into a 24-foot rubber dingy. At first, everyone was excited; we were about to see whales! But, then an hour passed, then two. No sign of whales. No reading on the ultrasonic listening device. The Captain had dealt with this challenge before; we cruised up the East coast of the Island, viewing gorgeous volcanic rock formations, isolated beaches and towering mountains. While several passengers began to murmur and sulk, I took it all in. The warm evening breeze, the sky’s changing colors, and the history of the Island astounded me. As the tour waned, the prospect of spotting whales seemed unlikely. On our way back to the docks, another tour boat captain came on the radio with the location of three whales. Our Captain threw it in full-throttle, and suddenly the negativity from the sulking tourists was gone.

How can anyone expect a positive outcome with a negative attitude?

“Less is More” is one factor in the situation above. The tourists who were more experienced travelers, taking longer vacations ironically were the same ones who pouted and complained the most. While they sulked, I loved every moment. Sitting side by side, we experienced drastically different tours, but paid the same price. Ultimately, the passengers satisfied by less, got more out of the tour. It’s not about the cards were dealt, but rather how we play the cards.

Thanks for reading. Share your comments below!