How To Avoid Error, Overwhelm, and Wasted time: Reduce Variables
How’d you like to learn about the key that reduces stress, saves time, increases happiness, and helps me personally every single day of my life? It sounds like an infomercial or wonder drug, but it is just a mantra: reduce variables.
Note: this isn’t just a read and blast thru type article, I want you to practice this and answer my questions.
You Are About To Find The Answer To All Of Your Problems
Above is a bold statement, but the proof is in the pudding below. Simply put, if you reduce all of the variables, the answer to your issues will appear in your minimal options.
Answer this honestly and with reflection: is there a tough current decision you must make or a recent decision you have made? Address it right now!
Does/did it overwhelm you?
Is it taking up brain space by randomly popping in?
What can you approve/deny rather than justify with compromise?
Are there pieces of that decision you could cut out by making a guideline?
We all fear making the wrong decision, and, in many cases, FOMO (fear of missing out) lingers over us.
Reducing variables works in many scenarios, as simple as buying a new shirt or as complex as starting a new business. You will learn how to fine-tune variables as you learn from them, and you won’t be angry about “failures.”
Making fewer decisions reduces doubt.
Having a guideline takes away analysis paralysis.
Remove post-purchase dissonance/buyer remorse.
The faster you can make decisions, the more momentum you will bring to the next step. It will reduce burnout and abandonment.
Examples:
I became an Apple person because I was taking too much time researching alternatives (mainly phones and smartwatches weren’t compatible). Apple annoys me with their planned obsolescence and shitty charging cables, but my computer, phone, watch, and AirPods all work perfectly together. So I don’t waste time troubleshooting connections or shopping.
Fuji became my primary camera option, and I solely shot with one prime lens to dial in my style. Sony is the most popular right now, and Canon was my kit of choice. However, Fuji reduced variables of bags I can use (small camera and lenses fit everywhere), lenses I own (rarely do I get brands other than Fuji), and price point (the cameras and lenses are cheaper).
Focusing on eco-friendly materials helps me cut out brands I support. From the thousands of black shirt options, I can focus on what supports my values. For example, rather than contemplating which big box store I buy from, the questions are, “Who is resourcing ethically and environmentally conscious materials? Does their cut fit well? Will it hold up to travel and adventure?” Once I find that brand, I stick to them and never have to shop around again.
Choosing a color palette for clothes allows me to purchase what I will wear regularly and helps me get dressed faster every morning.
When hiring contractors to work on my house, I screwed up. I should have reduced my choices with specific criteria: they must be within the top three for the number of Google Reviews they have, hold an average of 4 stars minimum, and the contractor must be available within a month. If I had followed those rules, my home would have taken less than a year to finish instead of two.
To answer any question, simply ask, “How can I reduce variables?”
Step one: What is a question/issue/choice you have right now?
Step two: If this was perfect, what would it look like?
Step three: Define one variable that cuts out a majority of options. It helps if you choose the variable you won’t budge on. Time and money are easy options to start if you are new to this. Is it within your budget? At what time does this decision or task need to be finished?
Step four: Continue to reduce variables until you have a clear choice.
Reducing variables is a mantra and a practice. If you are after minimalism, it is a great place to start. If you are stressed, it will guide you to be less overwhelmed. Every time I break my guideline, I regret it. Even if it can be worth more money later, it is never worth the stress.
Do you want to practice reducing variables with me? I do enjoy helping others. That practice allows me fine-tune my processes. Simply hit me up!