What does quality vs quantity really mean?
Quality means you spend your time doing things that bring you joy and satisfaction. Quantity means you spend your free time on tasks that don’t matter much to you. That’s the short answer.
But the more significant answer is that you can expand the word time to mean money, energy, or space.
In life, we often have to make choices between things. Do I want the job that pays more but is less fulfilling or the one that is more enjoyable but pays less? Do I want to live in a smaller house so I have more money each month, or do I want to rent a bigger place and worry about bills?
These are tough questions, but they are important ones. One of the biggest decisions we face in life is whether to choose quality or quantity. In this blog post, we will explore 5 simple reasons why quality should be your choice!
Basic Things to Know
- Quality refers to how well something satisfies the need for which it exists. Here and often in other references as well quality refers to something providing a high level of value.
- Quantity refers to the amount of something. Here and often in other references quantity is often indicating rather a lot of something.
- Quality means different things to different people and what they value is also different. This is really important to remember.
People usually state they prefer quality . . .
But as I noted above that can mean very different things to different people.
For some, it means having more money than they need.
There are others for whom quality means living a minimalistic lifestyle.
Some people want the security of having a large bank account. Others find it freeing to live simply with very few possessions.
There is no one right way.
But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose, I am proceeding solely in quest of them. – Christopher Columbus
For others still quality refers to being able to afford a life with experiences they value.
They enjoy being able to afford experiences that enrich their lives.
Excellence resides in quality, not in quantity. The best is always few and rare; much lowers value. – Baltasar Gracian.
For still others, quality refers to living with less stress and anxiety.
For some people, quality means being able to do something that brings them joy. It might be playing an instrument, painting, writing poetry, or doing anything else that makes them feel good. It might simply be spending quality time with family.
Buy less, choose well: that’s the maxim. Quality, not quantity. That’s the most environmentally friendly thing you can do. – Vivienne Westwood
Where do I fit in?
I probably find quality life in a variety of places. In many ways I am living my dream because I have been lucky enough to have checked quite a few things off my bucket list:
- Living in the country in a log house with a porch where I can watch the sunset
- Being able to visit the Taj Majal
- Getting a chance to visit Europe, especially England, Scotland, and Ireland
- Having a family of my own
- Having my own business
I still need to work on that life-balance thing. I spend way too many hours in front of my computer instead of outside in the garden.
The Five Reasons
1. Quality means you spend your time doing things that bring you joy and satisfaction.
This is opposed to quantity, which means you spend your free time on tasks that don’t matter much to you.
Think about it this way – if you had two hours of free time, would you rather spend it watching TV, or would you rather spend it doing something you love? The answer is probably the latter.
When you choose quality over quantity, you are choosing to do things that make you happy. And isn’t that what life is all about?
2. Choosing quality over quantity means you will have enough money for what you really want.
If you choose quality, you will be spending your money on things that matter to you and that will last. For example, you might spend money on a trip to Europe rather than buying a new car. The trip will give you memories that will last a lifetime, whereas the car will lose value as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Or you could buy that natural handmade soap bar that makes you feel wonderful all over instead simply getting you clean. Your skin won’t be dry and itchy and that fabulous scent puts you in a wonderful mood to either start your day or get a good night’s sleep.
If you go after quantity, there is never enough money to have it all. Be picky and choose to spend on just what you really want.
3. You will enjoy your life more when you choose quality over quantity.
When you fill your life with things that make you happy, you will naturally be a happier person. And isn’t happiness what we all want in life?
If you let your life get cluttered up with things you don’t really want or need it just makes things messy. Literally!! Wouldn’t you be happier if you didn’t have to find space for or dig through all that unnecessary stuff? Have you read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing – Marie Kondō ? She is a firm believer in the philosophy if it doesn’t bring you joy then get rid of it!
It can be hard to do. But, I know for myself after going through an area of my life that needed to be “tidied up” I am simply breathing easier.
4. You will have more time for the things you love.
If you choose quality, you will be spending your time doing things that matter to you. This might mean taking a cooking class instead of watching TV, or reading a book instead of browsing the internet.
Or it could mean simply soaking in a bath or even, (gasp) taking a nap!
5. You will be living a more fulfilling life.
When you choose quality, you are choosing to do things that make you happy and that add value to your life. You are also choosing to avoid things that waste your time and energy.
In today’s world, we are bombarded constantly with information. We are told we need to make the best choices for our health, our financial well-being, our living spaces, our kids, and our parents. And do to that we need to read this article, watch this broadcast, or subscribe to this service.
As a small business owner, I am also constantly being told I should be putting out more content, being visible on more channels, or simply their way is a better way to do things. FOMO seems to always be sitting on my shoulder. It can make it really hard to just walk away from the computer or out of the soap shop.
Conclusions on the Value of Quality
So there you have it – five simple reasons why quality is better than quantity in life. The next time you have to make a choice, remember these reasons and choose quality! You won’t regret it.
Choosing quality means you will have enough money for what you really want, you will enjoy your life more, and you will be living a more fulfilling life.
These are just a few of the reasons why choosing quality over quantity is the better choice! So next time you have to make a decision, remember these reasons and choose quality! Find your happy place and try to visit there often!