Minimalism’s effect at work
Minimalism means to live with as little stuff as possible. Not necessarily to live a compromised life but to truly understand the beauty of the famous phrase “less is more”.
Multitasking is very different from Switch-tasking. When we do similar simple and familiar tasks to achieve a wholesome output we are multitasking however in any-case if one of those tasks performed is complex or unfamiliar, it leads to switch-tasking
Why should we always choose a difficult path for success even if there was an option for easier way out? since when is complex and complicated imply smartness? As I’ve started writing this article, I’ve answered the phone, my colleague came in to check for something and I’ve answered emails. I was doing four things at once, and I did them all well. They each got the attention they deserve. Or did they? Did I effectively multitask or was I distracted?
Of all the traps that we typically are in, all the time, seeking freedom from overwhelm is the most -need of the hour. Thats exactly following principle of minimalism offers.
Living in the moment even if it calls for doing one thing at a time in a more mindful way churns out much effective output than multitasking(or rather switch tasking)that often leads to low quality outputs which may call for redoing the whole thing.
Here are some of the simple minimalistic principles that helps improve our productivity;
Have fewer tabs open: Open enough browser tabs and it doesn’t matter whether you’re running Chrome or Firefox or IE or Safari or Opera: your system is going to slow down and eventually your browser will crash altogether, quite possibly bringing your entire environment down with it. Quite aside from that performance drama, there are at least four obvious reasons why having multiple tabs open is pointless read them here
Use task management tool to stay organised: to keep tasks in one place. Save time, avoid losing work and information, delegate, and track tasks to stay on schedule and hit deadlines.
Less mess promotes thought and creativity: Clutter is not only physical. Clutter is also mental. And you’re much more likely to have a head full of mental clutter when your physical environment is cluttered; sometimes the path to productivity is empty. A clear mind and a blank page are two of your best friends when it comes to starting a project. They allow you the freedom to choose to be productive and creative.
Work with what you’ve got: Another extraordinary benefit of applying minimalist principles to business is the way in which it encourages greater ingenuity and resourcefulness. “Minimalism in business requires a MacGyver attitude, being that the best tools are the ones that exist”. So, even though we could develop softwares, We’d rather find an existing piece of software to suit the needs. Fortuitously, there are certain tools available nowadays that pair well with the minimalist model. Storing everything on the cloud, for example, eliminates the need for space-wasting, time-guzzling data storage — whether paper or digital. Instead, omni-present apps like Dropbox, Google Docs and Evernote make vast volumes of information, schedules and company records accessible within seconds from anywhere on the planet. Business operations become smoother and more efficient, while greater freedom is created for both employees and the company itself.
Apple serves as a brilliant example of how this approach can also entail a decisive refocus on a few key products. Writer and brand strategist Wesley Gant elaborated: “One of the most notable turnaround stories in the history of business was Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997, when the company was only months from bankruptcy.
“One of his first moves was to completely eliminate whole divisions, and reduce the product line to just four products: one desktop and one laptop for the casual user, and the same for the professional user. That was the start of a course that would lead Apple to become the most valuable brand in the world. Jobs followed a minimalist, ‘zen’ philosophy, and Apple’s approach — to business and to products — became an influential case study for not only Silicon Valley, but entrepreneurs, designers and CEOs everywhere.”
