Tap The Power of Subtraction
Subtraction is harder than saying no.
Saying no prevents future obligations. Subtraction kills current commitments.
Subtraction creates space.
Stop seeking more time. Eliminate obligations.
4 Powers of Subtraction
- Sharpen focus. Amplify what matters.
- Renew energy. Stop the drain of overcommitment.
- Improve quality. End mediocrity with less rushing.
- Gain satisfaction. Half-done is fully dissatisfying.
Why Removing Commitments Stings
- “Someone might be offended.”
- “This is how we’ve always done it.”
- “It only takes a few minutes.” (It always takes longer than expected.)
7 Ways to Get Better at Subtraction
1. Run a “stop audit.”
List everything you did today. Mark: Keep, Reduce, Remove.
2. Kill one thing every Friday.
Eliminate one recurring meeting, useless report, or self-destructive habit each week.
3. Use the 50% rule.
Cut duration in half. 60 minutes becomes 30. Weekly turns to biweekly.
4. Set stop triggers.
- No clear outcome? Stop.
- No owner? Stop.
- No progress in 30 days? Stop.
5. Ask, “Who owns this?”
If it’s you, pause. Own it, delegate, redesign, or refuse.
6. Create a “Do Not Do” list.
Write things you refuse to do today. (Things you’re currently doing.)
7. Run 30-day stop experiments.
Pause something. If nothing breaks, don’t restart it.
Bottom line
Saying yes to everything dilutes your impact.
Saying no blocks commitments from expanding.
Subtraction sharpens your focus.
Power Tips
Give every recurring meeting an expiration date. No end date. Review it in 30 days.
Block your best hour of the day. No meetings. No email. Only priority work.
Celebrate what gets eliminated.
Small, repeated commitments strangle you.
What could you subtract from your calendar that would make you more effective?
4 Ways to Do Less and Get More Done Today
This post is inspired by, Subtract, by Leidy Klotz.
Yes, subtract. When I recruit volunteers now, I ask for a limited time commitment. At the end, they are free to recommit, but again they only do so for a stated time period. This creates off-ramps so people can subtract without feeling like they’re letting down others, and it creates exits so people don’t feel trapped.
It might be helpful when taking on something new to clearly state expectations and timetables, so everyone knows when to re-evaluate.
Conduct an opportunity audit. You were given opportunities that you have never handed off despite moving up. So now you have all these incidental duties that keep you from focusing on your core duties. And newer folks aren’t being given the same opportunities you were to learn new things.
Identify all those incidental duties and then commit to handing off one a week.