Blog #4: Quality Over Quantity.

Why choose quality over quantity today when quality seems so accessible? Is it truly or has the standard for quality depleted?

Why does it matter?

At this point, you’ve noticed I like to ramble. I enjoy talking a lot about certain topics and ideas that interest me and often I find will go over board. I believe the best way to begin is to first inform you on how I arrived on this topic and why I find it important to discuss and layout to the best of my ability. 

Film is my favorite medium and I have always held that opinion. A majority of my time as a kid, with no responsibilities, I would spend most of my time with my eyes glued to the screen. My goal as a kid was to watch as many movies as I could. I’d like to believe the main reason was because I loved the magic a film created. The feelings it made me feel, the places it would take me and the time it would help pass by. Another part of me knows, there was this urge to see more movies than anyone in the world. This extraordinary feat to surpass everyone and feel this false sense of accomplishment in a number that would ultimately lead to nothing. It wasn’t fulfilling yet I wanted to achieve it and I was encouraged by other’s astonishment when I revealed how many movies I had seen. It wasn’t until I had reached a point where I could resonate spiritually with a film that I had stopped pursuing this goal. While I can’t remember the age or the specific film, I remember the feeling. A feeling of enlightenment, self-realization, failure, sadness and fear that I had come to the conclusion I was approaching film the wrong way. 

The reason why I bring this up briefly shows a focus I had on quantity over quality in one aspect of my life that withheld me from certain experiences I could have had. That is one of many discoveries I would find in the pursuit of a quality driven purpose. Film is often the way I discover certain inefficiencies in my life and what I need to change. I’ve been reading this book titled, “Rebel without a Crew” about a young and poor director with an innate passion for filmmaking. The book is a journey of his life during the time prior to a film he makes which gained critical success. While reading, I found his efforts to be inspiring amidst the hardship he faces. His focus is also unique, while some filmmakers are discouraged by a capped budget, he strives to create abiding by the strict budget he set. Reading about the lengths he takes to stick to this showed me that there is a bigger reason than money and a crew that is driving him. It is the desire to create something that will change the world around him. Not just entertain for a mere two hours with nothing moving you forward. Instead it is food for thought. Content and quality that creates and innovates with a purpose of forward progress. 

Okay, I guess it matters, so what?

As mentioned in prior blogs, the intent of this blog is to first, share my thoughts and progress while second learning and trying to make sense of all in the first point. So, in that attempt, let’s do that. In this case, I believe a pro and cons list of each quality and quantity will show the purpose of each. 

Pros + Cons of Quantity

  • Pros
    • More accessible and available
    • More efficient (in most cases)
    • Less Expensive (in every format of currency)
  •  Cons
    • Generalized (typically not personalized)
    • Surface Level Depth
    • One purpose (not very adaptable and multi-use is limited)

Pros + Cons of Quality

  • Pros
    • Personal and adaptable
    • Has depth 
    • Creates and builds relationships through it’s emotional ability
  •  Cons
    • Takes time and effort
    • Needs mutual correspondence
    • Not easily or readily accessible

What I've determined...

Finishing this post, I’ve come to realize not everyone is going to follow what I’m saying or going for with this and that is okay. There is bound to be conflict when I am honest and transparent with my mind that tends to be all over the place. Here is the point where I will do my best to outline what I have realized and what it means moving forward. 

 
Ideally, I like for there to be a takeaway with some action steps when I do this because at that point I feel progress is made rather than a bunch of words on a screen. First, I want to clarify, the area that I am speaking to in regard to quality and quantity is subjective with no specific focus. If I could narrow to one area it would be life and principles that are held with it. I believe it is important to know that both quantity and quality are important in their own ways and depending on the area of focus, one may supersede the other but it will involve the consequences of losing the other’s benefits. Overall, in most if not all the areas of my life, I would like to live a life centered around quality over quantity. Even though some of the benefits of quantity do entice me. Benefits such as meeting more people, having more possessions, creating more content. Those while in some senses are good to an extent, can also be the destruction of a good, full life. While I believe I can implement some aspects of quantity in my efforts, I believe it is important to have the focus of quality again surpass the focus of quantity. 

In Conclusion

None of this means anything without a call to action. It is how you move forward with the information you discover and learn that creates the forward progress. Learning is one thing, applying it is everything. This is how I plan to apply it:

  1.  Focus on the why
    1.  When I set out to accomplish a certain goal in my life or set out a plan, I want to first question why am I doing it? I want to examine its intentions and expected outcome. If either are self serving and not aligned with the principles and values I hold I need to reassess that. 
    2. The why can be often surface level also. I want to expand it and rather then leaving it to be something taken at face value, I want to ensure there is reasoning and purpose that all does align with the values held.
  2. Focus on the how
    1. In the process of achieving, that is where the shortcuts happen. That is where the attempts to pursue quantity over quality occur because of the stigma surrounded around being slow. Being slow isn’t always bad. Being slow is a practice I need to adopt to create quality. 
    2. Restructure my thinking process and problem solving process. Before jumping to a conclusion, taking the time to consider what provides the best solution not the fastest.
  3. Appreciate today
    1. I believe a big reason why we tend to focus on quantity over quality is due to the societal pressure of chasing all the opportunities in the world. Instead of moving at today’s pace we are chasing tomorrows’.
    2. Take the time to focus on current daily processes and habits I currently have. Instead of developing new ones, first reassess and redefine current ones I hold. Ensure that they are producing and developing quality and not quantity. 
    3. Develop and build current relationships. Focus on people who are in your life now and ensure that each of them are appreciated, loved and listened to. If I can’t maintain my current relationships, what on earth makes me think I can develop new ones. 

Me now begging for your input...again...

Hello there! If you’ve made it this far, great, now is for the best part. The part where I get to hear from you! About how much you hated all that I had to say. Maybe about how amazing you think my grammar is or how I should go back to grade school. Even if it’s just something totally random or a suggestion. Questions are always a plus too. I’d love to hear from you, it means the world to me. Okay, I’m done now. Until next time…stay classy 🙂

 

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