It always looks so easy to solve problems by taking the path of least resistance. What looks like the easy road turns out to be the hardest and most cruel.
Winston Churchill
1874 – 1965

In high school, math was one of my easier subjects; I just had a knack for math. But that got me in trouble with my algebra teacher. He wanted me to take a methodical approach to solving problems and show each step of the process. Being young and a bit stubborn, I saw no point in doing extra work. If I could skip steps and still get the correct answer, I was quick to do it.

I truly didn’t understand the value of the lesson he was trying to teach. I now realize that taking shortcuts often leads to more work.

Our brains are designed to seek out shortcuts, to do the least amount of work necessary to get the results we want. Overall, this tendency has benefited society. But on an individual basis, seeking shortcuts often backfires, ultimately leading to additional time and work to get the results we want.

One very common example is adopting a diet to lose weight quickly. Dieting can be counterproductive or even harmful, and the results don’t last. Attempting weight loss through dieting just delays the process of adopting lifestyle changes that can produce lasting results.

Another great example is pursuing fast wealth through opportunities like hot stock tips or new side hustles. Typically, these things work for a few early adopters — people who were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time — but don’t bring anywhere near the same level of gains to others. And far too often, these opportunities require spending money you may not earn back, putting you further behind.

We’d all love quick fixes to our problems in life, but usually, those attempts make matters worse. This is the paradox of shortcuts: the quicker we try to achieve any worthwhile goal, the longer it will take us. There’s simply no reliable shortcut to success.

Whatever your goal is — whether you’re trying to lose weight, wanting to build wealth, looking for your ideal partner, or hoping for more happiness in life — the slow, methodical route is the best, quickest and surest path.

The next time you’re considering a shortcut to achieve some worthwhile goal, pause and reflect on the paradox of shortcuts. Remember, what you see as the long way is often the shortest road to success.

Slow and steady wins the race.
Aesop
620 – 564 B.C.

Copyright © 2023 John Chancellor