Know when to stop. Hara hachi bu, which means “Eat until 80 percent full,” is a Japanese idea from the culinary world. This idea can be applied to the length of meetings and presentations, and also to the amount of content and the number of elements you use to express your message. The answer to the question “How much should I include?” can only be answered by you, as you are closest to the problem. But remember that self-restraint—the kind exercised in hara hachi bu—is difficult but often leads to greater clarity. Resist the urge to pile on more “just in case.
