Cutting Away the Excess: The Unlikely Advice That Shaped My Business and Nomad Life
Before I launched my first business Ryde, I came across this quote:
‘Once, there was an old Indian craftsman who carved the most beautiful elephants from unpromising blocks of timber. Asked how he did it, he simply replied: ‘I just cut away the wood that doesn’t look like an elephant.’
It found me at the right time. I was trying to spin many plates, waiting for one to land that felt right. I was confused on direction and what to focus on.
The metaphor of the elephant quote is simple - strip things down to what’s essential.
The effect it had on my business and lifestyle? Game changing.
The World’s Most Cluttered To-Do List
In the beginning, I was bombarded with a million "should-dos." Every trend, every piece of advice added another layer of complexity. As for traveling, well, the world's your oyster, but even oysters can be a bit much when you’re trying to focus on the pearl. I found myself wandering aimlessly, with no budget to explore properly, so I may as well have been at home. I needed a purpose.
Spotting the Elephant in the Room
The big shift happened when I decided to get all Michelangelo on my life and business, chipping away everything that wasn't needed. For Ryde, it meant redefining the mission, values, tone of voice. Who was Ryde when nobody was watching? How did we interact with a wide variety of customers? Who were the customers?
As for travel, it meant asking myself, who was I? When I got those answers, I choose experiences that really spoke to me, not just what Instagram said should.
Sharpen your chisel
Find Your Elephant: What means the most to you? What are your values? What do you want from life? For me, it was about creating something that was kind to people and the planet.
Feng Shui Away: Our surroundings shape our consciousness, it impacts how we think and feel. It's scary but think of it as decluttering your house. Whether in business or your personal life, if it doesn’t spark joy or isn't nailed down, it’s probably not essential.
Enjoy the Breathing Room: What you’re left with is space. Space to think, to grow, and to focus on what really matters. For Ryde, this meant we could really dive deep into what we wanted to achieve. For my travels, it meant more meaningful adventures.
The Payoff
Was it easy? No, it’s always a work in progress. I’m always chiselling. Yet the clarity and focus it's brought to both my business and my way of living? Absolutely worth it.
Ryde isn’t just a brand; it’s a community. And my travels aren’t just about ticking boxes; they’re about genuinely connecting with each place I visit.
So, What’s the Gist?
Whether you’re building a startup or living out of a backpack, the secret is knowing what to cut loose. It’s about figuring out your own version of the elephant and knowing what to strip away. The best personal example I can give is, once I’d decided Ryde was my platform to be the change I wanted to see in the fashion industry, everything else was secondary. I let the lease on my house expire and moved into a van. My entire perspective changed, clothes, accessories and gadgets kind of lost their meaning - they just took up space (in a very tiny van.) But I finally had a big picture and a goal so it didn’t matter.
At the start, it might mean you’re left with what looks like a trunk and a couple of legs to start with, but that’s your foundation to build on.
In the end, cutting away the excess isn’t just about making things simpler; it’s about making them richer, more authentic and a lot more enjoyable.
