"It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential. The closer to the source, the less wastage there is."
Less is more can seem counterintuitive in a world that loves excess. Hence, the notion that we can achieve more by doing less is not easy to fathom.
But in recent years, this approach to life and work has gained a lot of popularity. The “less is more” approach is really about simplifying your strategy to concentrate on what really matters.
You can attain more clarity, efficiency, and fulfillment by eliminating distractions and unimportant details from your life. This philosophy is frequently linked with the Law of Least Effort, a law based on the notion that nature operates with effortless ease and carefree abandon.
The Law of Least Effort is a powerful concept that can increase your productivity and performance with the least effort. It rose to prominence after Deepak Chopra’s publication of “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” in 1994.
In the book, Chopra draws parallels between this law and the natural world:
“If you observe nature at work, you will see that the least effort is expended. Grass doesn’t try to grow; it just grows. Fish don’t try to swim; they just swim. Flowers don’t try to bloom; they bloom.
Birds don’t try to fly; they fly. This is their intrinsic nature. The earth doesn’t try to spin on its own axis; it is the nature of the earth to spin with dizzying speed and to hurtle through space. It is the nature of babies to be in bliss.
It’s in the nature of the sun to shine. It is the nature of the stars to glitter and sparkle. And it is human nature to make our dreams manifest into physical form, easily and effortlessly.”
The Law of Least Effort, rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, asserts that one can achieve more by doing less. This can be accomplished by focusing on high-return activities and cutting out unnecessary effort that doesn’t contribute to your goals.
Therefore, working together in synchrony with nature’s order of things is the best strategy for achieving your objectives. This way, you can accomplish more while expending less energy.
Your profession, relationships, and personal development are all subject to the implications of this rule. At the core of this law are three guiding principles.
To live by The Law of Least Effort you must adhere to the three guiding principles of acceptance, responsibility, and surrender. Let’s look at how these principles help to boost your performance and productivity in all aspects of your life.
The first principle of the Law of Least Effort is acceptance. Instead of attempting to influence or change things, this means accepting people, circumstances, and events for what they are.
When you practice acceptance, you lessen your resistance to the present and give yourself permission to concentrate on what matters. This can enable you to work more effectively toward your objectives while conserving energy and resources.
Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers once wrote that:
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Embracing the “less is more” philosophy means accepting things as they are rather than rejecting them or struggling against them. By accepting reality as it is, you will be focused on taking actions that move you towards your goals.
Acceptance means being fully engaged in the here and now. It is that sense of peace and contentment in the present moment.
In his book, Chopra presented us with a mantra to inculcate the idea of acceptance into our daily lives:
“Today I will accept people, situations, circumstances, and events as they occur. I will know that this moment is as it should be, because the whole universe is as it should be. I will not struggle against the whole universe by struggling against this moment. My acceptance is total and complete. I accept things as they are this moment, not as I wish they were.”
The second principle of the Law of Least Effort is all about responsibility. You’re responsible for your actions and choices, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable they may be.
When you’re responsible, you don’t blame others or offer justifications for your circumstances.
For me, the lesson in responsibility was something I learned through a difficult experience during my college years. I had trouble staying on top of my assignments, and I began to blame my professors for being unduly demanding.
It wasn’t until I really assessed myself and my decisions that I understood the issue lay solely with me. For me, the defining moment was when I decided to take ownership of my problems.
It was then that I was able to shift my attention back to the things I could control. I started studying more efficiently, setting aside dedicated time for coursework, and seeking out help when I needed it.
Instead of wasting energy on negative emotions and unproductive thoughts, I channeled that energy towards achieving my goals.
Whenever you’re struggling to reach your goals, remember this:
You’re responsible for your life, your happiness, and the outcomes that you experience.
Avoid wasting energy on negative emotions or unproductive thoughts. Keep your attention on the things you can control while moving forward with your goals.
Once you’re able to accept responsibility for the events and choices in your life, you’ll be prepared to surrender your ego.
Surrendering, or letting go, is probably the most powerful guiding principle of the Law of Least Effort.
The idea of surrendering may sound counterintuitive when it comes to achieving our goals. Surrendering means letting go of the need to control every aspect of life and trusting the process of life itself.
It’s about releasing our attachment to specific outcomes and allowing ourselves to be open to new opportunities and possibilities.
At one juncture in my life, I experienced a sense of being overwhelmed. I had high expectations for myself and continually exerted effort to reach them. But I overlooked the journey in the process.
I became exhausted and unhappy, and my efforts seemed to be getting me nowhere. It wasn’t until I learned to surrender that everything began to shift.
I eventually started to have faith that everything would work out as it should. And I gradually let go of my attachment to particular outcomes.
When you surrender, you make room for something that is greater and better than anything you could have ever dreamed of. You give the universe permission to lead you and have faith that everything happens for the ultimate good.
This doesn’t mean you stop working toward your goals. But rather, you work towards them with a sense of ease and flow, knowing that the universe has your back.
When you let go of the need to control everything and trust the process of life. You open yourself up to new possibilities that you may not have previously thought of.
So, surrender to the journey and trust that everything is working out for your highest good.
These three concepts of the Law of Least Effort are connected to one another and they work best when combined. When you willingly embrace acceptance, responsibility, and surrender, you can easily move your life in whatever direction you want.
By focusing on what truly matters and simplifying our approach, we can expend less energy while achieving more significant results. In other words, by working smarter, not harder, we can manifest our intentions effortlessly.
The powerful “less is more” mindset advocates simplifying your life and achieving your goals with ease. But how do you apply this mindset to your daily life?
First of all, you must acknowledge the fact that complexity is often the enemy of progress. Next, identify the projects and endeavors that truly matter in your life and focus your energy on them.
Then, put what’s most important at the forefront. This will limit the distractions and noise that often result in wasted time and effort.
Learn to let go and allow things to flow naturally rather than trying to force outcomes. This does not imply that you stop being active or involved. Rather, it is a recognition that there is often a natural flow and rhythm to life.
So, how do you begin the process of letting go of your need to control everything? How do you allow things to unfold naturally and create a space for the universe to work its magic?
Here are seven ways to espouse a “less is more” lifestyle:
Trying to overhaul your entire life at once can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. Instead, start small and focus on one area at a time.
Choose an aspect of your life that you would like to improve. You can start with decluttering your home or streamlining your schedule.
Take some time to reflect on whether a new investment or a new project fit with your beliefs and priorities. Ask yourself if it serves a purpose or brings you joy. If it doesn’t, you can consider letting it go.
Identify the activities and commitments that bring you the most joy and fulfillment and make them a priority. Let go of the things that are draining your energy and don’t align with your goals.
By prioritizing the most important tasks and organizing your activities in order of importance, you can accomplish more with less.
Saying ‘no’ to commitments that don’t serve you is an essential part of the “less is more” mindset. Setting boundaries for your time and energy can be difficult at first. But it will ultimately result in greater focus and productivity.
Practicing gratitude is one of the most transformative practices you can incorporate into your life. It gives you a sense of joy, fulfillment, and abundance, even in the midst of life’s challenges.
Start the practice by taking time each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This can be as simple as writing down three things you’re thankful for in a journal, or as elaborate as creating a gratitude altar or vision board.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of a never-ending to-do list and a constantly packed schedule. A busy schedule can lead to burnout and stress.
Simplify your commitments by prioritizing the things that matter most and leaving space for rest and relaxation.
The pursuit of perfection can be exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling. Instead, embrace imperfection and focus on progress rather than perfection. Remember that small steps can lead to big changes over time.
These seven strategies will help you jumpstart your “less is more” lifestyle. By concentrating on what matters most, you can simplify your life, reduce stress, and achieve your goals with greater ease.
Every aspect of life can be enhanced by adopting the “less is more” philosophy and focusing on what really matters. As a student, for instance, you can leverage the law of least effort to optimize your study time by focusing on the topics that are most relevant to your exams.
As an entrepreneur, adopt a marketing plan that focuses on maximizing returns on investment while avoiding those that don’t.
Ultimately, the Law of Least Effort is a potent tool for enhancing success and productivity across all domains of life. Adopting a “less is more” mindset may require a significant adjustment period, but the rewards are undoubtedly worth the effort.
Prioritizing what truly matters and eliminating the non-essential can lead to a simpler life and lower stress levels. Be intentional about the things you allow into your life, and make sure to prioritize the most important ones. Above all, learn to say no when necessary.
With time and practice, you’ll begin to reap the benefits of this “less is more” mindset.
DISCLOSURE: In my article, I’ve mentioned a few products and services, all in a valiant attempt to turbocharge your life. Some of them are affiliate links. This is basically my not-so-secret way of saying, “Hey, be a superhero and click on these links.” When you joyfully tap and spend, I’ll be showered with some shiny coins, and the best part? It won’t cost you an extra dime, not even a single chocolate chip. Your kind support through these affiliate escapades ensures I can keep publishing these useful (and did I mention free?) articles for you in the future.
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