Hi there! As we welcome the arrival of March and the spring festivities that come with it, I would like to take a moment to examine the human tendency to seek shortcuts. However, before delving into this topic, let us take a moment to appreciate the blooming flowers and warming sunshine that awaits us. But first ...

Weekly Inventory Check:

While shortcuts may be a pertinent topic, it is important to recognize that personal development cannot be achieved through a quick fix. As we do each month, it is advisable to set goals and devise plans for March to ensure our energy is directed towards our intended pursuits. If you have not yet adopted the practice of journaling or recording your ideas, it is still possible to create a mental plan for the month ahead. Taking a moment to reflect can help you identify what truly energizes you and focus on it.

Shortcuts, why are we drawn towards them?

I have a great fondness for the FIFA video game (although I cannot say the same for the governing body). The latest installment, FIFA 23, offers a special tournament feature exclusively for PS5 users where they can compete for in-game credits. Although I seldom utilize these credits, I participate in these matches to engage in intense competition with skilled players from various parts of the globe. My team of choice is Tottenham Hotspurs, who I support wholeheartedly. While they may not be a five-star team, I am content with my decision. However, when competing in tournaments, I am frequently matched against one team, PSG. The reason for this phenomenon is that PSG possesses all the top players in the game. The term "meta" is often employed in gaming to denote the most effective strategy. In this instance, people have discovered that using PSG and employing identical tactics and techniques provides them with the best chance of victory. Consequently, when competing in tournaments, I find myself facing opponents who play identically to one another, albeit with superior execution as I advance further in the competition. This monotony becomes tiresome after a while. This trend is observable across the gaming industry, with players exploiting the best possible strategy to win and spamming it into oblivion. I believe the underlying reason for this is that they do not wish to relish the various gaming options available; their sole focus is on winning.

I wish to generalize the concept of shortcuts by stating that they are an intrinsic part of our lives. For instance, we often rely on mental shortcuts to automate our daily tasks or in extreme cases, parents may resort to bribing school officials to secure their children's admission to prestigious schools without the kids putting in the requisite effort. This tendency is due to our innate preference for finding solutions that demand minimal cognitive effort. Consider the scenario of choosing between drinking water from a river that flows beside you versus one that flows over the mountain; the latter option would require more effort. Hence, shortcuts are practical in certain circumstances. However, the problem arises when individuals exploit this trait to gain immediate benefits without considering its long-term consequences. For example, driving recklessly to save a few minutes or using the same password for every website to avoid the hassle of remembering multiple passwords.

It is crucial to acknowledge that shortcuts are a human trait, and we must optimize our surroundings to take this aspect into account. Nonetheless, we must also cultivate mindfulness to recognize that some tasks cannot be accomplished through shortcuts. They necessitate persistent effort and time, such as adhering to safety protocols, building relationships, and studying. Therefore, we should not believe that time is running out; instead, we must appreciate that time is abundant and work at a comfortable pace.

Do you agree or disagree? Shoot me an email. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Want More?

Aditi Mehra has highlighted the use of shortcuts in the education scandal mentioned earlier. It is worth noting that shortcuts are not just limited to individuals but can also be employed by companies and brands to enhance consumer experience.

On the other hand, Graham Chastney argues that we should not denounce shortcuts but rather evolve our processes to incorporate this human element. By recognizing the natural human inclination towards taking shortcuts, we can optimize our systems to accommodate this feature while also being mindful of its limitations. This approach can facilitate the achievement of our goals without compromising on long-term results.

Read of the Week

The book "Age-Proof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip" emphasizes the importance of time and patience in achieving good health and financial stability, suggesting that shortcuts are not feasible options in these areas. It provides practical guidance to help individuals avoid common pitfalls, such as fad diets and get-rich-quick schemes, and plan for their long-term goals. By prioritizing diligent efforts over short-term gains, individuals can achieve success in these crucial areas.

Thoughts to Leave you With

Although I use shortcuts myself, I believe that excess of anything is harmful. Even excessive shortcuts can be detrimental. Personally, I am tired of constantly seeing PSG logos in my tournament lobby. However, what is clear is that time is not an adversary, and investing some of it now can lead to a better future. Saving time for later begs the question of when and how it will be utilized.