Less is More: The Strategic Power of Doing Fewer Things Better
Do less, better.
Running a successful business isn't about doing more—it's about doing less, but doing it better. Many small and medium-sized business owners fall into the trap of juggling countless responsibilities, ultimately diluting their focus and effectiveness.
In this issue, we unpack how adopting a disciplined, strategic approach—where doing less, better—is the critical factor in growing your business sustainably and preparing it for a profitable exit.
Rod Fraser: Coach + Investor - Building highly profitable businesses.
This week's topic:
Less is More: The Strategic Power of Doing Fewer Things Better
Every business owner faces the constant temptation of multitasking, wearing multiple hats, and trying to achieve too many goals at once. Yet, research and real-world success stories consistently highlight one truth: focusing deeply on fewer tasks dramatically enhances productivity, profitability, and overall business performance.
The Myth of Multitasking
Despite popular belief, multitasking is fundamentally impossible. Our brains are simply not wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Instead, we rapidly switch between tasks, which leads to significant inefficiencies and errors.
Dan Heath, in his book Switch, refers to this as the "switching cost"—approximately 23 minutes of lost productivity every time your attention shifts from one task to another.
"Every distraction costs you around 23 minutes of productive time." — Dan Heath, Switch
Stop Trying to Boil the Ocean
Business owners often spread themselves too thin by attempting to tackle everything at once—a strategy metaphorically described as "boiling the ocean." Instead, success requires ruthless prioritisation and strategic clarity. Business strategist Verne Harnish emphasizes this by regularly asking:
"What are you going to say no to?" — Verne Harnish
Verne’s "stop, start, keep" method helps identify which activities to discontinue, initiate, or maintain to improve strategic alignment and productivity.
Embracing Deep Work for Greater Impact
Cal Newport introduces the concept of "deep work," defined as uninterrupted, cognitively demanding tasks yielding substantial results. Allocating focused blocks of time exclusively to deep work enables high-quality outcomes and significant business growth.
The Discipline of Doing Less
Gary Keller, author of The One Thing, advocates relentless prioritisation by continually asking powerful questions:
Management expert Jim Collins embodies this disciplined focus:
"If you have more than three priorities, you don't have any." — Jim Collins
Collins dedicates four uninterrupted hours daily to his most crucial annual goal, producing outstanding results and demonstrating the true power of singular focus.
Cultivating a Strategic Mindset
The essence of strategic thinking and planning lies in prioritising activities aligned with your overarching business goals. Blue Ocean Strategy, for instance, encourages businesses to clearly differentiate and strategically simplify their activities, eliminating irrelevant tasks and redirecting efforts towards high-impact opportunities.
Emotional Resilience and Mindset Management
Successful business owners understand the importance of managing their emotional and mental states. Daniel Pink’s insights in Drive and Focus underline the importance of intrinsic motivation, autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Emotional resilience allows leaders to swiftly manage setbacks and maintain clarity under pressure:
Practical Actions to Enhance Your Business Focus
Achieving More by Doing Less
By intentionally narrowing your focus, strategically prioritising tasks, and maintaining emotional and mental discipline, your business is better positioned for sustainable growth, enhanced profitability, and a smoother path toward a profitable exit.
Rod Fraser: Coach + Investor - Building highly profitable businesses.
Recommended Reading & Resources:
Empowering Entrepreneurs & Change Makers | SBA Lending & Commercial Real Estate Finance | Transformational Strategy for Purpose-Driven Growth
2wNothing slows you down like the myth of multitasking. As I get older I find it is important to use my energy judiciously! Hi priority focus is critical to success.
Digital Promotions Associate
2wRod, your insights on focusing on high-impact actions resonate deeply. For those looking to enhance their business strategy further, I highly recommend joining the AI CERTs free webinar on "AI-Powered Business Strategy: Driving Innovation and Growth" on July 28, 2025. It's a great opportunity to gain additional strategies and a participation certification: https://tinyurl.com/nk-ai-business.