Core Insights - The article emphasizes that success is not about doing more but about doing the right things, advocating for strategic rest and a "subtractive thinking" approach to enhance creativity, decision-making, and performance [5][29]. Group 1: The Science of Doing Less - The brain is not designed for continuous output; cognitive abilities sharply decline after 90 minutes of focused work, necessitating regular breaks [7]. - Ignoring the need for breaks leads to decision fatigue, mental fog, and burnout, which ultimately reduce work efficiency [8]. - Historical innovators like Einstein and Steve Jobs utilized strategic breaks to activate their brain's default mode network, fostering problem-solving and creativity [9][11]. Group 2: Subtractive Thinking - High performers often mistakenly adopt an additive mindset, believing that achieving more requires doing more, which complicates their success [13][14]. - A study from the University of Virginia found that people tend to overlook subtractive solutions, even when removing certain elements could yield better results [14]. - Practical changes include eliminating unnecessary meetings, shortening work hours for focused efforts, and mastering proven habits instead of adding new ones [15][16][17]. Group 3: Willpower vs. Flow State - Many believe willpower is the key to success, but it is a limited resource that can lead to exhaustion and poor decision-making [20]. - Achieving a flow state, where work feels effortless and time disappears, can increase efficiency by up to 500% compared to distracted work [20][21]. - To foster flow, one should identify and eliminate energy leaks in daily schedules, focus on deep work sprints, and cultivate subtractive habits [24][25][27]. Group 4: Focus and Distraction Management - The article highlights that multitasking can hinder deep work, suggesting that tasks should be challenging yet balanced to maintain engagement [31]. - Successful individuals prioritize what to focus on rather than how much they do, aligning their efforts with their brain's natural rhythms [30][32].

Core Insights - The core issue facing many companies is the increasing complexity that is hindering growth, as organizations struggle to adapt to rapidly changing consumer demands and market uncertainties [1][4][5] - Companies are often trapped in a cycle of adding more processes, departments, and KPIs, which leads to inefficiencies rather than improvements in productivity and innovation [1][4][5] - A strategic approach to management should focus on "subtraction" rather than "addition," simplifying operations to enhance clarity and collaboration [2][6][8] Complexity in Management - Over the past decades, internal adjustments made by companies to meet customer needs have led to a dramatic increase in organizational complexity [1][4] - Employees are spending excessive time on processes, inter-departmental conflicts, and ineffective reporting, which detracts from value creation [1][4][5] - The traditional reliance on adding more rules and structures has not resulted in improved efficiency or competitiveness [4][5] The Need for "Subtraction" in Management - Effective management in complex environments requires a focus on reducing unnecessary tasks and clarifying objectives [2][6][8] - Companies should prioritize creating a healthy work environment that encourages employees to focus on impactful activities rather than being bogged down by excessive regulations [5][6] Practical Guidelines for Simplification - **Rule 1: Understand Employee Behavior** - Recognizing the reasons behind employee actions is crucial for adjusting organizational structures and incentives [8][9] - **Rule 2: Identify Integrators and Empower Them** - Appointing individuals who can facilitate inter-departmental collaboration is essential for operational efficiency [10][12] - **Rule 3: Decentralize Decision-Making** - Empowering frontline employees to make decisions can enhance responsiveness and customer satisfaction [15][16] - **Rule 4: Create Interdependence** - Designing systems that require departments to collaborate can foster a culture of cooperation [17][18] - **Rule 5: Highlight Future Impact** - Employees should be made aware of how their actions affect the organization as a whole, promoting a sense of responsibility [19][20] - **Rule 6: Reward Collaboration** - Performance metrics should include collaboration efforts to shift the organizational culture towards teamwork [21][22][24]