Want to get more done, quicker, easier, and more profitably? Then, it’s time to do less. Today, we’re talking with Ari Meisel, author of The Replaceable Founder, The Art of Less Doing, On Productivity, Idea to Execution about how to build a business that can run and grow without you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dQcZTuKtg

So, if you want 2022 to be the year you opt-out of the hustle and make consistent progress… tune in now!

Table of contentsThe Art of Less DoingAsynchronous ToolsHow to Get StartedMacGyver Style InnovationThe Ultimate KPIBeing a Better Decision-MakerThe 20-Minute Work DayConnect with Ari MeiselBook A Strategy Call

The Art of Less Doing

When Ari Meisel graduated college, he went into real estate development and construction in Upstate New York. His hours were grueling, and he was beginning to feel the effects of stress. At 23, Ari was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which is an inflammatory condition that is considered incurable. And in his journey to overcome this illness, he went from working 18-hour days to working one-hour days. 

And while there were dozens of books on productivity at the time, there weren’t any on the market that addressed people who truly had little time in their day. The Art of Less Doing, Ari’s first book, was born out of the extreme restriction Ari had from his Crohn’s. 

Essentially, the framework of “less doing” is to optimize, automate, and outsource. This made framework made it possible for Ari to continue to work and be productive. This idea has since grown into many other things, like The Replaceable Founder. 

[5:48] “If you ask somebody… who works like a 9 to 5, what would happen if you had to leave the office by 4? You couldn’t work until 5. Most would just say they’d skip lunch, that’s usually the answer that comes back. But if you ask that same person, what if you only had an hour? It’s perplexing. It requires such a different way of thinking because those things still have to get done. But if you can’t possibly get them done in that hour, then who or what is going to do them for you? It’s that restriction that breeds innovation.”

Asynchronous Tools

Interestingly, Ari shares an interesting part of his strategy that has helped him put significant time back in his day. That is, the power of using more “asynchronous” tools and communication. It allows people to create more work-life balance and affords individuals control over their workday. However, many jobs are formed around synchronous communication. For example, in a typically 9 to 5 job, everyone is expected to come in at the same time, and communicate immediately, in real time. However, people are not synchronous, and have different rhythms. 

Asynchronous communication, on the other hand, is like email. It allows each participant to take the information and control when they read and respond to it. This gives each person more autonomy, and the ability to construct their own work boundaries. 

[8:30] “The technical requirements are not really what’s important. It’s really about a mindset, in terms of what you do.”

Ari shares that most people try to use texting synchronously. They type a message, send it, and can watch the three dots that signify the other person is typing. Of course, some messages are urgent, and require an immediate response. However, this can often prevent us from simply shooting off quick thoughts, which is what texting was designed to do. 

Ari's Favorite Way to Communicate

Voxer, which is a voice app, is Ari’s tool of choice. He allows his clients to have unlimited access to him through Voxer, but each person communicates at their own pace. It’s like communicating through voice memos or messages, rather than a phone call. This makes it possible for short, quick conversations that may take place over a day, but ultimately don’t distract or take much time. 

The problem with providing coaching is that often the times people need contact with thei...