The Subtle Art of Less: How Minimalism Amplifies Productivity

There is power in finding freedom through the art of minimalism. Not through grand gestures, but through the deliberate choice to own less, to declutter your space, and in turn, decluttering your mind.

The Untold Efficiency of Minimalism

This is not the usual narrative spun around productivity; it’s the untold story of how minimalism fuels efficiency in a world obsessed with more.

The conversation around minimalism and productivity often orbits the same clichéd advice, but let’s dig deeper, uncovering the facts and paths less traveled.

Studies show that minimalism isn’t just a trend but a necessity, especially highlighted during challenging times such as the recent pandemic. It emerged as a coping mechanism, a way to gain control when the world seemed unpredictable.

Beyond the Clutter: Mental Space and Productivity

And it’s not just about the physical space either, it’s about the mental space too. Consider the staggering statistic that the average American spends thousands of hours over a lifetime searching for misplaced items. The mental load of managing clutter can stifle creativity and focus, both of which are essential for productivity.

How to start

The minimalist productivity mantra goes like this: start with a plan, define your top tasks, and eliminate distractions. Trello’s guide to minimalist productivity emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and focusing on them one at a time, which is crucial in a world where multitasking has been proven to be less productive (and a total myth, btw).

Minimalism outside the home

For those of us who still commute to a place of work outside our homes, minimalism can still be part of the picture. In the workspace, minimalism can mean fewer digital files cluttering your desktop, a streamlined email inbox, and an organized workspace — all of which lead to increased efficiency and motivation. Embracing minimalism can also guide you in setting and achieving personal and professional goals by helping you identify what’s truly important.

The Science Backing Minimalism

The good news is that there’s a science to back up the benefits of minimalism. Studies have shown a positive association between minimalism and well-being, with “voluntary simplifiers” exhibiting more positive emotion and well-being than non-simplifiers. This translates into a more focused, goal-oriented approach to both work and life, aiding in better time management and, by extension, heightened productivity.

To wrap up, I just want to leave you with one thought. Minimalism’s narrative within the productivity domain is one of freedom and focus. It’s about clearing the excess to make room for what truly matters, finding serenity and efficiency in the simplicity of your routines. It’s about reducing the noise so the essential can speak.

Have you considered what minimalism could do for your productivity?

Let’s do this.

If you’ve read some of my other articles, you probably know that I’m generally a firm believer in the phrase “less is more.” But, I also know that it is easier said than done. About 6 years ago, I started using one analog tool that I haven’t really talked about, but now I kind of have to.

The tool I’m talking about is the ANKOR deck. I won’t bore you with the details, but I created the ANKOR deck to do mainly two things: (1) be a continuous reminder of the short- and mid-term goals I’m trying to reach; and (2) help me make better decisions without expending too much mental energy by getting rid of the outside noise.

I worked on the ANKOR deck for about 2 years now, but now I need your help. How? Well, I am looking for people who are into productivity and habit formation to try out the tool and tell me what works for them, what doesn’t and how I can make the tool better.

If you’re still reading and would like to test the tool out (100% free of charge), please fill out this google form where I explain a bit more about what I’m looking for. Once it is ready, I will send you a free ANKOR deck.

NOTE: For now, I’m only sending free ANKOR decks to people in the continental United States. I plan on expanding it to international users soon after the first round of testing.