Art of Subtraction
Stories about breaking things—departments, payment systems, laws— have dominated the news lately. This smash-and-burn approach obfuscates the potential for good that subtraction can bring to organizations and lives.
Subtraction can be a powerful tool to guide us to more productivity and fulfillment.
As Leidy Klotz eloquently argued in Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less (2021), sometimes less is indeed more. American culture emphasizes accumulation, while the art of subtraction involves the selective and strategic removal of unnecessary elements. When redesigning an organizational or personal culture, subtraction is usually overlooked or undervalued. When we want to do things, we add rather than subtract.
By selectively removing features that are not working in our organizations or lives, we create space for authenticity, clarity, and well-being.
Authenticity: As we strip away the extraneous, we are left with the core of who we are. This authenticity allows us to build a culture of practices truer to our values and passions, rather than dictated by social expectations or material possessions.
Clarity and Focus: Subtraction helps to declutter physically and mentally. By eliminating distractions and excess, we concentrate more effectively on what truly matters—our goals, relationships, and growth.
Well-being: Letting go of negative emotions, toxic relationships, or past grievances improves overall health. Subtraction in this context means choosing peace over conflict and fulfillment over resentment.
These are just a few benefits of strategically removing non-essential tasks and commitments to enhance our organizations and lives. It encourages us to prioritize quality over quantity, leading to more meaningful productivity and impactful outcomes.
Subtraction is a powerful tool to guide us to a simpler and more fulfilling existence focused on what is truly important.
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