The Virtue of Subtraction: How Less Can Lead to More

Why You Should Simplify Your Life

Photo Edited by the Author.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

We are constantly driven to innovate and invent new things. This has led to fantastic achievements in medicine, science, and society. But, our desire for innovation can sometimes keep us from seeing that subtraction can be one of the most potent paths to progress.

Sometimes the best way forward involves removing, streamlining, and simplifying things. 

In other words, sometimes, the best way to move forward is by doing less.

Some things cannot be removed without compromising the function of an invention or system. But often, eliminating excess components can improve performance.

For example, by streamlining a design, an engineer can increase its strength while reducing its weight. Or by removing unnecessary features, a team of software developers can make their product more user-friendly and efficient.

In his book “Antifragile,” Na…