The One Mistake Every Man Makes—And How You Can Avoid It Starting Today

Most men, when trying to make a change or transform their lives, fall into the same trap: they start by adding. A new workout, a different diet, another gadget, or piling on more hours at the office. We think more is better—more habits, more activities, more complexity. It’s instinctual. For thousands of years, having more meant surviving: more food, more shelter, more resources.

But here’s the hard truth: Adding more isn’t always the answer. It often leads us down the wrong path, leaving us overwhelmed, stressed, and stuck in the same old routines. Why? Because businesses thrive by convincing us to buy more, do more, and consume more. They never suggest doing less. There's no profit in telling you to cut back, simplify, or focus only on what matters.

Michael Easter, in his book Scarcity Brain, explains how our natural tendency to accumulate—whether it’s stuff, habits, or even thoughts—actually makes us less effective, less focused, and ultimately, less fulfilled. We’re so busy adding that we rarely stop to ask, “What if the real solution is to subtract?”

The Power of Strategic Subtraction

Think about it. What if the most powerful change you could make today isn’t about doing more, but about doing less? What if you started by identifying just one thing that doesn’t serve you—something that’s cluttering your mind, draining your energy, or filling your schedule with noise? By removing just one obstacle, you create room for real growth and meaningful change. This is the essence of Strategic Subtraction.

This isn’t some gimmick. It’s a proven strategy. Research shows that simplifying our lives—clearing out the clutter, both physical and mental—makes room for what truly matters. We become more focused, more intentional, and more aligned with our goals. In other words, less really can be more.

So instead of asking yourself what new habit you need to start, ask what you need to stop. Start small. Choose one thing that’s been holding you back and commit to eliminating it from your life. Then, track your progress daily—because real growth doesn’t happen by accident; it’s measured, intentional, and deliberate.

Strategic Subtraction: The Secret No Business Will Sell You

Notice how every business wants you to buy more—more products, more services, more distractions? That’s because there’s no money in telling you to do less. But that's what Strategic Subtraction is about: removing the noise, cutting out what doesn’t serve you, and focusing on what truly matters. It’s a strategy that helps you grow stronger, not just consume more.

In Scarcity Brain, Easter dives deep into the forces that drive human behavior in our overfilled lives. Our brains are wired to respond to scarcity by constantly seeking more—more comfort, more possessions, more distractions. This made sense when our ancestors needed to survive in harsh environments. But today, this "scarcity brain" is about more than just accumulating; it’s about avoiding discomfort and uncertainty. We cling to familiar habits, overfill our schedules, and avoid risks that could lead to real, meaningful change.

Easter argues that true growth comes from doing the opposite: embracing discomfort and doing less. He advocates for "strategic subtraction"—deliberately removing the things that don’t serve us to make room for what truly matters. By understanding that our brains naturally resist this process, we can start to work against these instincts. We can develop a mindset that values subtraction as much as addition.

Argent Alpha Approach: Subtraction as a Path to Standards

At Argent Alpha, our goal is simple: to help men over 50 become harder to kill. How? Not by adding more to our lives, but by creating standards. We focus on five key areas: mindset, sleep, nutrition, fitness, and hydration. But before we start adding anything new, we focus on taking things away.

Think of it as a detox for your entire life. What’s cluttering your mind? What’s draining your energy? What habits, routines, or even relationships are weighing you down? To become truly resilient, to become the best version of yourself, you have to start by eliminating what isn’t working.

Break It Down: What to Subtract

• Mindset: What’s distracting you? Delete one app that eats up your time. Stop watching the nightly news that fills your mind with negativity. Set limits on social media and, here’s the hard part—honor them. Protect your mindset first.

• Sleep: Are you sabotaging your rest? Cut out the late-night snacking that disrupts your recovery. Find the window—6, 8, or even 10 hours before bed—and stop caffeine intake. Stop hitting the snooze button in the morning. Each hit is a broken promise to yourself.

• Nutrition: Stop buying bagged snacks that lead to mindless eating. Stop ordering out when you know you should be eating at home. Eliminate sodas and candy. Begin with subtraction, and watch your body respond to what’s no longer there.

• Fitness: Remove distractions during workouts. Stop using your phone, stop skipping workouts, and stop repeating the same exercises. Choose growth over comfort.

• Hydration: Stop drinking anything that isn’t water. Sodas, juices, sugary drinks—cut them out. Keep it simple.

By focusing on what we can remove, we create space for standards to flourish. The path to becoming harder to kill isn’t about piling on more; it’s about stripping down to what really matters. Pick one area, identify one thing to delete, and track your progress. Write it down. Measuring drives improvement, and sharing your progress supercharges results. That’s Pearson's Law in action.

Challenge: Identify One Thing to Delete

Now, it’s your turn. Think about your life—what’s one area you want to improve? Pick just one thing that’s holding you back. Start small. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture. It just has to be something you know isn’t serving you.

Choose that one thing and commit to eliminating it today. Track your progress. Keep it simple—a pen and paper, a notebook, or a spreadsheet. Don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on what you’re not doing, and create space for what you should be doing.

Reiterating the Benefits of Subtraction

Mastering the art of strategic subtraction doesn’t just clear the clutter—it sets the stage for a life of purpose, clarity, and resilience.

Why does subtraction work?

• Free up mental and physical energy: By eliminating distractions, you reclaim valuable time and focus.

• Create room for intentional growth: Removing what’s not serving you allows space for new, positive habits.

• Develop discipline and resilience: Saying “no” builds mental toughness and strengthens your commitment to your goals.

By mastering subtraction, you lay a solid foundation for lasting, meaningful change.

The Big Picture: Why This Matters

This isn’t about cutting out snacks or deleting an app. It’s about taking control—one small, deliberate decision at a time. It’s about deciding what stays and what goes. Every choice to eliminate something that doesn’t serve you is a choice to prioritize what truly matters.

When you choose to eliminate what doesn’t serve you, you’re making space for growth, clarity, and the things that genuinely contribute to your health, happiness, and longevity. You’re becoming harder to kill—not by adding more, but by shedding what’s unnecessary.

So, start today. Pick one thing to delete. Track your progress. Share it if you’re ready to commit publicly. And when you’ve succeeded, pick another, and another. Keep going until you’ve cleared the path to becoming the best version of yourself.

Invitation: Join the Movement

Don't wait for the perfect moment—it starts now. Decide what you will eliminate today. Share your commitment with a friend, within the Argent Alpha community, or on social media. Every step you take can inspire someone else. Let’s make subtraction the new standard for intentional living—together, one step at a time.

Most DIY projects end in frustration. That’s one reason to join Argent Alpha. We have the framework, methods, best practices and community to help you not only reach your goals but sustain your results. Take the next step today.