Do less slower

I’m sure you’ve read David Cohen and Brad Feld’s book Do More Faster. And while I thought the book was full of great advice for entrepreneurs (and I’m incredibly proud of David and Brad for writing it, if admittedly, having heard the moniker of the title oft repeated a few too many times – see here for my partner Jason’s clever tease of them with some help of Xtranormal) I actually think sometimes the best thing a startup can do is to do the opposite of what the book’s title suggests (although some of the inside chapters do not) and Do Less Slower instead.

I’m quite serious about this. While early stage companies are always trying to squeeze just a bit more out of each product release, or streamline this process or that, or expand their product vision; sometimes slowing up a bit, refocusing on the core of the problem you are solving and taking a deep breath is exactly what’s needed. Most companies overcomplicate the product they put out, take too little time to allow for testing before product releases, focus on the next thing rather than making the current thing better and or often overly distracted with things that just don’t matter.

So the next time you get overwhelmed at work, take a step back, see what you can drop off your plate and Do Less Slower instead.