So, what’s that one thing you do every day?
And no, I’m not talking about munching on your favourite snacks or catching up on sleep.
I’m referring to something a bit more… substantial.
You know what I mean, right?
That one thing you’re so engrossed in that you lose track of time.
That skill or knowledge you’re tirelessly working to master.
It’s something you’re so passionate about that it’s almost impossible not to do it daily.
Exploring Your Passion: The Role of Quantity Over Quality
Maybe you’re still figuring out what that could be.
You might be dabbling in:
You’re probably already knee-deep in it, tweaking and adjusting, striving for that elusive “perfect” result.
But here’s the thing: your perfectionist tendencies might be holding you back.
It’s a common trap, really.
As you learn and master a new skill, self-doubt can creep in.
If that sounds like you, then stick around.
We’re about to explore how the principle of “Quantity Over Quality” can help you overcome this hurdle.
A Lesson from Art & Fear: The Power of Quantity Over Quality
Let’s take a moment to delve into a famous anecdote from Art & Fear by Bayles and Orland.
It’s a tale from a ceramics class that offers a valuable lesson for anyone whose progress is hampered by perfectionism.
The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups.
All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely on the quantity of work they produced, all those on the right solely on its quality.
His procedure was simple: on the final day of class, he would bring in his bathroom scales and weigh the work of the “quantity” group: fifty pounds of pots rated an “A,” forty pounds a “B,” and so on.
Those being graded on “quality,” however, needed to produce only one pot—albeit a perfect one—to get an “A.”
Well, came grading time and a curious fact emerged: the works of highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity.
It seems that while the “quantity” group was busily churning out piles of work—and learning from their mistakes—the “quality” group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay.
The key takeaway here?
The highest quality works were all churned out by the group being graded for quantity.
Quite the plot twist, isn’t it?
Doing It A Lot: How Quantity Leads to Quality
This story underscores a simple truth: the more we do, the better our chances of producing quality work.
It’s all about embracing the principle of “Quantity Over Quality.”
With each attempt and each trial and error, we hone our skills.
Sure, each practice may be flawed.
But the more we practise, the closer we inch towards perfection.
The secret to mastering a skill or expanding your knowledge?
It’s all about consistency.
Doing it every day, not just when the mood strikes or when you feel “perfectly” ready.
The Will Smith Work Ethic: A Testament to Quantity Over Quality
This whole “Do It A Lot” mantra brings to mind a certain Hollywood superstar.
You’ve probably heard of him – Will Smith.
He’s known not just for his acting chops but also for his insane work ethic.
If you’ve ever questioned your own talent, even while loving what you do, Smith’s words might just be the motivation you need.
He once said,
I’ve never viewed myself as particularly talented. Where I excel is ridiculous, sickening work ethic. You know, while the other guy’s sleeping, I’m working. While the guy’s eating, I’m working
Isn’t that just the kind of “ridiculous, sickening work ethic” we could all use a bit more of?
He added,
I’ll not be outworked. You might have more talent than me. You might be smarter than me. You might be sexier than me. But we get on a treadmill together … you’re getting it off first or I’m gonna die”
Outwork, Outhustle, Outperform: The Essence of Quantity Over Quality
This sentiment isn’t unique to Smith.
In his book, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World, retired Admiral William H. McRaven echoes the same idea:
“…outwork, outhustle, and outperform…”
I sometimes fell short of being the best, but I never fell short of giving it my best.
The determination in those words is palpable, isn’t it?
Why Choose Quantity Over Quality? A New Perspective
You might be wondering, “Why on earth would I choose quantity over quality?”
It’s a fair question.
After all, we’ve been conditioned to believe that quality trumps quantity, right?
But here’s a different perspective.
Think about it: when you’re learning a new skill or trying to master a craft, isn’t it better to have more attempts, more experiences, and more opportunities to learn and improve?
That’s where the magic of “Quantity Over Quality” comes in.
It’s about giving yourself the freedom to make mistakes, learn, and grow.
It’s about embracing the journey rather than obsessing over the destination.
Balancing Quality and Quantity: A Practical Approach
I’m not saying you should throw quality out the window.
Far from it.
Quality is still crucial.
But here’s the kicker: Quality often comes from quantity.
It’s through repeated practice, through trial and error, that we learn to produce quality work.
So, how do we strike a balance?
It’s simple: “Do It A Lot.” Keep at it, day in and day out.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect idea.
Just start.
And keep going.
Over time, you’ll find that your skills improve, your work gets better, and what do you know?
You’ve achieved both quantity and quality.
Quality vs Quantity in Relationships: What Matters More?
Let’s shift gears a bit and talk about relationships.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “quality over quantity” used in this context.
It’s often about having meaningful, deep connections rather than a large number of superficial ones.
But could the principle of “Quantity Over Quality” apply here too?
Consider this: Relationships, like any other skill, require practice.
The more experiences you have, the more you learn about yourself, about others, and about how to navigate the complex world of human connections.
So, in a way, quantity – the number of interactions, conversations, and shared experiences – can lead to quality relationships.
Quantity Over Quality in Friendship: A Fresh Take
Now, let’s talk about friendship.
We often hear about the importance of having a few close, quality friendships rather than a large number of casual acquaintances.
But here’s a fresh take.
Think about the friends you interact with regularly.
The ones you chat with, hang out with, and share experiences with.
Isn’t there value in those interactions, even if they’re not always deep and meaningful?
Each interaction, each shared laugh, and each shared experience add to the richness of your friendship.
It’s the principle of “Quantity Over Quality” in action.
Remember, it’s not about replacing quality with quantity.
It’s about understanding that quantity – repeated interactions, shared experiences – can lead to quality.
It’s about giving yourself the freedom to explore different friendships and to learn and grow through each interaction.
Quality Time vs Quantity Time: Understanding the Difference
Let’s delve into the concept of time, specifically in the context of relationships.
You’ve likely heard of ‘quality time’ and ‘quantity time’, but what’s the real difference?
Quality time is all about being present, engaged, and connected.
It’s about making the most of the moments you share, even if they’re few and far between.
Quantity time, on the other hand, is about the sheer amount of time you spend together.
It’s about being there consistently and regularly.
But here’s the twist: Quantity time can often lead to quality time.
The more time you spend together, the more opportunities you have for those meaningful, quality moments.
It’s the “Quantity Over Quality” principle showing up again!
The Total Quality Principles and Their Connection to Quantity Over Quality
Finally, let’s touch on the Total Quality Principles.
These are a set of guidelines designed to ensure quality in business operations.
They include customer focus, continuous improvement, and teamwork, among others.
At first glance, it might seem like these principles are all about quality over quantity.
But look a little closer.
Continuous improvement?
That comes from repeated practice—from doing it a lot.
Teamwork?
That’s about multiple interactions and multiple perspectives coming together.
So, even in the Total Quality Principles, we see the value of “Quantity Over Quality”.
It’s a reminder that quantity – repeated actions and consistent effort – can lead to quality outcomes.
Final Thoughts on Embracing Quantity Over Quality
So, what’s your obsession?
Is it honing a skill, building quality relationships, or perhaps fostering deep friendships?
Whatever it is, remember our mantra: DO IT A LOT.
You get the drift.
Our lives are essentially the sum of our daily actions.
So, why not make those actions count?
Choose a few things that truly matter to you and just “do it a lot.”
Embrace the principle of “Quantity Over Quality” in all aspects of your life.
And who knows?
Your own “crazy” Will Smith-like attitude, coupled with the wisdom of the Total Quality Principles, might just take you places you’ve never dreamed of.
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