We all have that one process in life—a daily routine, a passion project, or a study plan—that seems to be more complicated than it should be. You show up every day, you put in the effort, but still, something feels off. You’re not getting the results you expected, and the frustration starts to creep in. Sound familiar?
I remember a friend of mine who was experiencing exactly that. She was working tirelessly on her passion project, spending late nights and reworking every detail. Her checklist kept growing longer, but despite all her effort, she felt stuck. It didn’t make sense—she was doing everything “right,” but something just wasn’t clicking.
One day, after reaching her limit, she asked me, “What am I doing wrong?”
That’s when I shared with her a realization I’d come across: there are two ways to improve any process:
- Enhance the process. This means tweaking things, upgrading your tools, or bringing in a fresh perspective.
- Remove what’s slowing you down. Sometimes, the solution isn’t about doing more; it’s about cutting out the noise, distractions, and tasks that aren’t serving you.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t working hard enough—she was simply overloading her process with too much. The moment she started simplifying, everything began to fall into place.
Improve or Remove: Which One Are You Choosing?
When something feels off in your process, it’s tempting to think that the answer lies in doing more. But more isn’t always better. In fact, the real trick often lies in removing obstacles that are slowing you down. Let’s break down both approaches to see which one fits your current situation.
1️⃣ Enhance the Process: Improving What’s Already There
If your process feels inefficient or lacks momentum, one option is to tweak and enhance what’s already in place. Sometimes, making small adjustments can have a huge impact on your productivity and results.
How to Enhance the Process:
- Upgrade Your Tools: Is the software, equipment, or workflow you’re using slowing you down? Upgrading to better tools or platforms can make tasks easier and more efficient.
- Bring in Fresh Perspectives: Sometimes, all it takes is a new set of eyes. Ask a friend, mentor, or colleague to review your process and offer suggestions for improvement.
- Experiment with Tweaks: Don’t be afraid to experiment with small changes. Adjust your routine, change the order of tasks, or introduce a new method to your workflow. Sometimes, the smallest tweak can create the most significant difference.
- Streamline Your Workflow: Find ways to automate or systemize repetitive tasks. By freeing up mental space from mundane work, you can focus more on what really matters.
2️⃣ Remove What’s Slowing You Down: Simplify for Clarity
On the other hand, there’s a good chance your process feels off because it’s cluttered with too much. You might be adding unnecessary tasks, distractions, or responsibilities that are weighing you down. In such cases, the best move is to remove what’s not serving you.
How to Remove Obstacles:
- Identify the Bottlenecks: Take a step back and review your current process. What are the tasks or routines that are draining your time and energy without yielding results? These are your bottlenecks.
- Cut the Noise: Whether it’s distractions like social media or non-essential tasks that have crept into your routine, learn to identify and cut out the noise. Simplicity often leads to clarity.
- Prioritize Effectively: Not every task is equally important. Ask yourself which activities are bringing the most value and focus on those. The rest? Either delegate, automate, or drop them altogether.
- Say No More Often: Overcommitting can lead to burnout. Practice saying “no” to new tasks, responsibilities, or distractions that don’t align with your core goals. By doing so, you protect your time and energy for the things that truly matter.
The Power of Subtraction
We live in a world that constantly tells us we need to do more to succeed. But sometimes, the most effective way forward is by removing—not adding. My friend realized that her process was bogged down because she kept adding more tasks to her plate, thinking that perfection was just around the corner. It wasn’t until she started simplifying her workflow that she began to see real progress.
By focusing on what truly matters and cutting out the excess, she was able to regain clarity and momentum. Her passion project, which once felt like a never-ending task list, became something she enjoyed again. The magic was in the subtraction.
How to Decide: Improve or Remove?
When you feel stuck, the first step is to ask yourself: What’s really slowing me down? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide whether you need to enhance your process or remove what’s slowing you down:
- If your tools, methods, or strategy feel outdated or inefficient, it’s time to enhance your process. Make small tweaks, experiment with new tools, or seek a fresh perspective.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, bogged down, or distracted by too many things, it’s time to remove obstacles. Cut out the noise, simplify your routine, and focus on what truly matters.
Remember, less is often more. It’s not about how many tasks you can pack into your day—it’s about working on the right things.
Simplify for Success
In life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that success requires doing more, adding more, and working harder. But the truth is, sometimes the best way to succeed is to take a step back and simplify.
Whether you choose to enhance your process or remove the clutter, the key is to stay mindful of what’s working and what’s not. By focusing on what truly matters and letting go of what doesn’t, you’ll find that success comes more easily, and with far less frustration.
So, what’s your next move? Are you going to improve your process or remove the obstacles? The choice is yours!
Cheers to your simplified journey 🚀
#Subtraction #Awareness #INEA #gsthina