Scaling Down Collaboration

In a world of always-on communication tools, it's easy to fall into the trap of constant collaboration. We're always available on Slack, we're always in meetings, and we're always expected to be responsive to the demands of others.

This is a recipe for distraction and burnout.

While collaboration is important, it's one area where a _Company of One should look to scale down, not up. This means:

• Prioritizing deep work. Set aside uninterrupted blocks of time for focused work.
• Limiting meetings. Only have meetings when they are absolutely necessary.
• Using asynchronous communication. Don't expect an immediate response to every message.
• Creating clear boundaries. Let people know when you are and are not available.

A hackathon is a good model for effective collaboration. It's a short, focused burst of intense collaboration, followed by a return to individual work.

By scaling down collaboration, you can create more space for the deep work that is essential for creativity and innovation.