Quality Over Quantity: Meaning and How to Apply It

We all want more of something. 

More money, more time, more love, more things, but more isn’t always the answer. 

Quality is better than quantity. 

You shouldn’t do or buy things that are meaningless to you. It’s better to do and purchase things that are important and have personal value to you. 

Choose quality, not quantity. 

When you focus and make this a priority, more satisfaction will show up in your life because when you’re happy, the right people, opportunities, relationships, and more come your way.

And if this sounds like something you’d like to explore more, keep reading…

Quality Over Quantity Meaning?

Quality over quantity means choosing higher-quality things over a larger amount.

For example, if you have a choice between buying two quality shirts for $50 each or one shirt for $100, quality means choosing the first option.

Put another way, the value of things matters more to you than the amount. 

The quality over quantity mindset focuses on quality of time, experiences, creative works, and choosing quality in general.

So let’s say you now have three shirts you love.

In this case, the other shirts in your closet besides the three aren’t quality options. They don’t matter to you. The quality over quantity mindset says you’re going to pick the three quality shirts in your closet when you want to wear something.

The Definition of Quality vs. Quantity

Here are the Dictionary’s definitions:

  • Quality: the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something
  • Quantity: the amount or number of a material or immaterial thing not usually estimated by spatial measurement

Why is Quality Over Quantity Better?

There are a few reasons quality over quantity is better.

First, when you focus on quality, you’re more selective with what you do and buy. This means the things in your life have more meaning and more value to you.

Second, quality takes time. When you take the time to create something of high quality, it shows in the finished product.

Third, quality allows for growth and improvement. There is learning and progression – both of which are essential in life.

Finally, quality connects us to others. When we appreciate quality in the things we do and see around us, it brings us closer to those who share our values.

How Do You Focus on Quality Over Quantity in Life?

To focus on quality over quantity, you need to create some ground rules for yourself.

Here are some tips and examples on how to do that:

1. Make a list of the things you want out of life, then rank them in order of importance.

2. Don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, focus on one task at a time, and make sure you’re doing it to the best of your ability.

3. Take the time to enjoy the things you do. Don’t rush through them just to check them off your list.

4. Learn to say ‘no.’ There’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, so don’t overextend yourself.

5. Schedule time to reflect on your accomplishments at the end of each day.

Another way to concentrate on quality over quantity is to always keep asking yourself: what’s the one thing?

[snippet]What’s the one thing that, if done, will take care of everything else when you make it your number one priority?[/snippet]

Asking myself this is how I focus on choosing quality.

Try it out and recognize choosing quality is more important than quantity.

Quality means you’ll do things the right way, while quantity requires you to do more. When you concentrate on quality, you’ll achieve better results because you’re not wasting time doing things incorrectly.

You may gain more results when you focus on quantity, but they’ll likely be lower quality results.

Why Choosing Quality Over Quantity is Important?

Let’s look at a few different reasons why choosing quality matters.

It Leaves Less Room for Error

When quality is important, you make fewer mistakes as there’s less chance of something going wrong. All because you’re more likely to take precautions and avoid making mistakes in the first place.

It’s Satisfying

When quality is your priority, you’re never going to be satisfied with anything below your standards.

It Benefits Everyone Involved

When quality matters, it becomes easier to justify doing things for someone else because you know they’ll benefit from it as much as you do – you both want the best quality possible. Plus, people love receiving quality gifts and spending quality time with others.

How to Focus on Quality in Different Areas of Your Life

You can focus on quality in many different areas of your life like your sleep, diet, exercise, business, and professional work.

Sleep

Quality sleep is crucial because it allows your body and mind to recharge, repair, and restore itself after a long day. When you sleep for a long time (quantity approach), you may miss out on some of the key benefits of quality sleep, which are:

  • Improved Mood
  • Better Mental Clarity
  • Increased Productivity
  • Reduced Stress Levels
  • Improved Cardiovascular Health
  • Stronger Immune System

Food

Concentrate on eating quality foods instead of junk food. This means more fruits and vegetables, quality proteins, and carbs.

They’re better for you because they give your body what it needs to be healthy. Also, good food is fresh and more filling.

This leads to less mindless eating when bored.

Exercise

Quality workouts produce quality results.  

When you’re taking time to concentrate on your form, breathing, mindset, and health, you’ll get better results. All without the burnout or risk of injury that’s more likely to happen because you’re working out too much.

Don’t rush through your workouts. Give each movement and exercise the attention they deserve.

Business and Work

Quality is important in work because quality work shows you take pride in what you do. When you work hard, the quality shows.

It can also save time in the long run because quality work doesn’t need to be re-done a second or third time.

The same goes for business; quality is key. You want to provide quality services and meaningful products, so people come back for more.

Quality Not Quantity

How Choosing Quality Over Quantity Will Make You Happier

Happiness is a goal for most people.

No one wants to be miserable. The problem is many people choose their actions in favor of quantity over quality.

For example, have you ever made a goal to do something, but your plan on how to get there was so vague it made you anxious and unhappy?

Like you know what you want out of life, but without a clear plan on how to get there, you’re scared?

Well, one of the best ways to overcome this is choosing quality. Not quantity.

When you choose quality over quantity, your focus is on the goal itself instead of how you will get there.

This will make you happier because you’ll find a way when you concentrate on the result and not the path and all the little steps in-between.

There is always more than one way.

But, if you choose quantity over quality, the emphasis is on the plan and those distracting little steps. Not the right or best way to achieve your goal.

This snaps your mind’s attention away from what really matters; your goal. And sometimes trying to solve a ton of small problems can be more difficult than focusing on the original goal or challenge itself.

What Happens When You Prioritize Quality Over Quantity?

We tend to think that quantity is more important than quality, but what happens when you choose quality over quantity?

Think about it…

Do you remember a time when you were given so many things to do within a short period? It was stressful and overwhelming, right?

Most likely, what happened is your performance level dropped.

It’s called “The Law of Diminishing Returns,” also known as “Diminishing Marginal Utility.” This law states that it has less impact when something is done more each time.

But when you prioritize quality over quantity, you’ll do things correctly and to your best ability. In time, you’ll eventually be able to do things faster as well as complete more.

I’ve found that when I do one thing at a time and concentrate all my attention on it, I can complete it quickly and accurately. I also have a better chance of avoiding mistakes, and I save myself time.

Doing more things at once means you can’t focus on how well something is being done or not.

Quality vs. Quantity Examples

When we look at the world around us, it’s clear to see quality put into action.

  • Suppose your goal is to read 100 books this year. But, you only have time to read ten. Quality, not quantity, states you will be more focused and achieve better results if you read ten books instead of rushing through 100.
  • When starting a successful t-shirt business, you need to choose quality t-shirts. The quality needs to be high because if the quality of those shirts is low, people won’t want to buy them.
  • Buildings are built stronger and last longer than if they were built fast with low-quality materials.
  • Cars are efficient and made to last decades. No one wants to drive around in a cheap car built with unnecessary parts you have to replace every other month.
  • Nature is filled with quality. From animals that have been carefully crafted for speed and strength to plants designed to survive the elements.
  • You are built with quality in mind! From your brain to your heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Quality is everywhere around you.

Quality is what people want, even if they don’t know it yet. And if they can’t find it, they’ll create it.

Like the iPhone, for example, although there are and were other cellphones, most people buy iPhones. This is because people love and prefer the quality products and phones Apple provides.

14 Reasons to Choose Quality Not Quantity:

1. Quality Over Quantity is About Being Happy With Less

Minimalism is a trendy word nowadays, and it’s all about choosing quality, not quantity.

That means you have fewer things. But they are bigger, better, more comfortable, or just different from what people usually have.

And there is a vast difference between minimalism and laziness. Minimalists practice gratitude and choose to surround themselves with stuff they like instead of a bunch of things that’ll fill their home or life for the sake of filling it.

Prime example: Apple products once again. If someone wants a phone, there’s only one option, the iPhone, it’s perfect in every way possible. There are no other options because they only focus on quality items instead of everything else.

2. Quality Means Your Happiness Comes From Within, Not From Without

You can always try and find more satisfaction by surrounding yourself with more and more stuff, but it won’t work for most people.

Quality Over Quantity Meaning

Happiness comes from within, not by having more stuff.

Besides, it’s tough to find happiness when you own many things that constantly require your attention.

3. Quality is More Fulfilling Than Quantity

Quality is the result of thoughtful and deliberate work.

Quantity is the result of effort. You’re simply doing something because it needs to be done, not because you have an actual, constant desire for it. This isn’t fulfilling because it lacks the qualities of being thoughtful, deliberate, and genuine.

You should focus on quality instead of quantity to have a better experience in your work and life. Because if you invest your time into something that matters to you, you matter.

4. Quality Gives You a Better Return on Your Investment

I’d rather buy something once and have it last for years than buy something for $5 this week and have to replace it next week. Wouldn’t you? 

That’s the same line of thinking behind why quality should be your priority versus quantity.

You might save a few bucks in the short term by buying multiple cheap products, but if it falls apart or stops working, you’ll end up spending more than if you purchased one or two higher quality items, to begin with.

5. Quality Makes You Happier Than Quantity

One quality, comfy pair of shoes gets me through a whole day. Three other shoes that don’t fit right make my feet hurt all day – I’d rather choose quality!

This makes me happier than spending my money on three pairs of shoes that don’t fit well.

6. Quality is Rarer Than Quantity

Quantity is easy to come by. There is plenty of books, music, movies, and content online. But quality is rare.

Most websites and books or blogs aren’t well-researched and edited, most music is poorly mixed and mastered, and most movies never even go through professional editing.

If you want quality, it takes time and effort to produce. But it’s worth it, and it can set you apart from the crowd.

7. Quality Saves You Time and Energy

When you have meaningful things, relationships, and valuable experiences, you save time not looking for something better.

There’s no reason to scroll, swipe, and purchase endlessly when what you have is already high-quality, perfect, and will last for years.

8. Quality Saves You Money

When quality is your priority, you’re always going to value quality over price.

Not instant gratification.

That means only paying the best prices for quality goods and never wasting money on anything that isn’t worth it.

When quality isn’t important, you’ll probably save up until you can afford whatever – even if it’s not the quality you want.

9. Quality Improves Your Relationships

Quality relationships and friends last. They save you time, energy, and effort.

Meaningful relationships and quality friends aren’t toss-aways.

They’re unique and built to last a lifetime, saving you time and energy because you don’t have to meet more friends or continuously date around.

10. Quality Experiences Teach You Valuable Lessons

Genuine individuals who have life experience, knowledge, and wisdom can assist you in making the most out of life.

Through quality experiences, you can benefit from these people’s lessons. 

11. Quality Keeps You Focused

It’s hard to focus when you have so many things that distract you, but when you focus on quality, that keeps your energy and attention directed at one thing. 

You know you don’t need to switch your emphasis to something else because what you have is already perfect.

It becomes easier to concentrate on it entirely instead of switching things up.

12. Quality Makes You Well

A few good weeks away from work recharges the soul.

Instead of taking a bunch of random days off, I’ve found that taking a break for a few weeks consecutively helps me feel more motivated when I come back.

You can only sit on the beach and drink margaritas for so long before you’re over it and ready to go. (Some people may disagree with me on this…)

13. Quality Can Bring You More Joy

Focusing on quality will help you live a minimalist life.

A lot of people have what they want in life but they’re still unsatisfied.

When we spend and acquire things that genuinely add more purpose and meaning to our life, we find joy.

You can’t always find that with low-quality things, but you will find it with high-quality things.

14. Quality is Undeniably Better

Choosing value is always better.

Whether you’re looking for a new place to live, buying food at the store, or purchasing electronics for your home, search for better quality items.

Quality makes us happy.

And it’ll leave you far more satisfied than quantity ever could.

Fill Your Life With Quality, Not Quantity

Choose quality, not quantity. Quantity will never be enough.

You need quality.

Filling your life with more things that you may never use or look at isn’t going to be enough for you.

Sure, it seems like a great idea at the time. And the things are there when you need them, but once the novelty of having a lot of things wears off, what do you really have?

Not much.

You’ll still be looking for joy in your life.

But, when you concentrate on quality over quantity, you’ll be happy because you’ll be doing and have things and relationships that mean something to you.

Quality > Quantity.

Similar Posts