Minimalism, A Focused Brand Strategy For A Complex World
It’s time to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what matters most for your brand and its people.
Photo of the inside of the cupola structure of the Integratron in California.
“Wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook.” - William James
If time is our most precious resource, then time management should be the most supreme skill.
Yet we all seem to spend a great deal of time wasting time on things that have little or no importance in the grand scheme of things.
No wonder why It feels like there isn’t enough time for everything that we want to accomplish.
Still, the expectation placed upon us in this complex world is this: we must do more with less.
How are we supposed to cope with that?
It’s the lack of focus and the distractions of the world that limit our effectiveness to produce great work fast.
A lack of priorities is probably one of the biggest distractions.
“Distraction, at its core, is a confusion about what matters” says Curt Steinhorst in this article:
If that’s the case, then to become effective comes down to the realization of your most important work.
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” - Hans Hofmann
How to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what matters most for your brand strategy.
Try to implement the essential practice of minimalism to design a focused brand strategy that will allow you to accomplish your goals more easily. I have researched it. Here is how.
Uncover your higher purpose
Clearly and thoughtfully articulate your brand purpose. Dig deep and ask yourself what you want from life and what you want to achieve in business and with your brand.
Know who you are
Understanding these aspects allows you to have greater influence in your minimalist tactics while remaining native to who you are. If a task or goal is leading you astray, de-prioritize it or get rid of it.
Develop a purpose-driven action plan
Once you know who you are and what motivates you, pick your goals and use them to create an action plan. Prioritize specific and manageable tasks that are important by how they align with your higher purpose and goals. If you tell yourself “I don’t have time for this” - this should signal “that it isn’t, in fact, a priority.” Focus on a small number of carefully selected activities that strongly support your values, and then let go of everything else.
Do one thing at a time
Single-tasking is the way to go - it helps you focus on what you need to do to progress towards the realization of your goals. It is also proven that if you want to get things done at a higher quality and in less time, it pays off to focus on one at a time.
Invest where you can make a real contribution
Be choosier about the work you do and the assignment you undertake. Intentionally focus more energy on where you can contribute and make a greater impact. Spend less time focusing on exactly what you will do and how you’ll do it. Avoid stressing about things you can’t control. Get to work and push through. The rest will naturally fall into place.
Learn to say “no” more often
This has been a real challenge of mine that I am still working through. I used to say ‘yes’ quite a lot. I’ve discovered that I was putting other people’s priorities ahead of my own. Learning to say ‘no’ more often has been a real game-changer. It’s the most effective way to start accomplishing your personal and professional goals.
Know what you are good at
Is there something you excel at? Something that comes easily to you? Whether it’s a natural talent or a cultivated skill, recognize what that is and take full advantage of it. On the flip side, knowing what you are weak at and embracing this truth is just as powerful.
Identify your peak performing hours
Research has found that there are certain times of day when the mind (and body) is just better at performing certain activities. By understanding our circadian rhythms, we can best match our creative and strategic projects to the optimal time of day, and maximize our potential for efficiency.
Design your workday for optimum results
Begin planning your day once you know when you function most effectively. Schedule daily appointments with yourself. Just as you would schedule a business meeting in your calendar, you should schedule times during the day when you will sit down to plan, strategize, and create. If it’s important to you, then make it a priority just like any other appointments.
Trick your brain into being productive
Perform brain hacks to signal your brain it is time to get productive. Create the best environment to get your juice going. Designate a workspace and let others know when you are at work and not to be disturb. Don’t let anything or anyone interfere with these precious times designated for breakthroughs.
Let go of perfectionism
Aim at excellence, not at perfection. Don’t overcomplicate stuff or overthink it and get rid of the habits that slow you down. If simple can do the job, don’t look for the complex.
“The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.” - Eugene Delacroix
Leverage to get more done
You can’t do everything yourself. Tap into your network or outsource. Don’t build anything from scratch. Try to re-purpose as much as possible. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Leverage your work and the work of those who came before, and do it better. Tony Robbins brings a great deal of information in The Power of Leverage.
Work hard to master your craft
Love what you do and be ready to put in the work. It all comes down to practice. There is no shortcut here. The more you practice your craft, the more you get better and faster at it. Think of it as a muscle and its memory. Keep at it and you’ll develop the ability to produce great work fast. It takes decades of practice to master a craft. But then comes a tipping point where the magic happens.
Like Pablo Picasso once said, “It took me thirty years to draw that masterpiece in thirty seconds.”
Minimalism is about removing distractions.
Minimalism does not mean minimal effort. It is the details that matter. So carefully pick and choose. Don’t use tons when a touch will do. Give thought to each aspect of your strategy. Get rid of all the unnecessary elements.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” - Albert Einstein
To achieve the next level of effectiveness, we must endure the process of constantly reinventing ourselves.
Take the time to discover who you really are and what you truly desire, it is worth all the struggles.
Bastien Frediani
LinkedIn: in/creativebrandstrategist
Email: strategy@thinkbastien.com
Bastien Frediani is the founder and strategist of ThinkBastien, a strategy studio that helps bridge the gap between vision and audience.
