Adding Unnecessary Steps - Why?
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The Shortest Route
For instance, you’re at point A and you want to get to point B (the goal), why not just walk from one point to the other (or run if you like) without stopping by point C or point D, since you don’t need to? It’s called the “law of straight lines” (by Newton). Mark Joyner (who runs simpleology) has a great way of explaining that.
Of course, we’re human, and we act on emotions and feelings (then, later, we try to convince ourselves we made the right choice), and sometimes we can take pretty weird/silly decisions. Like heading for C, when you really wanna get to B! But we all get distracted from our goals, key here is to focus real hard and act towards those goals. When you get distracted, simply keep your ultimate goal in mind, and if you don’t really “need” or “want” to do this “extra step”, well just don’t, you’ll get to your goals faster.
Or you could also delegate, if you can afford it, or find someone that would be willing to do this and that in exchange for something you know/can do that won’t distract you too much, win-win situation! Getting from one point to another is basic geometry really, same goes with almost every aspects of life.
When you drive your car and want to get to the store really fast, do you have to stop many times before you get to that store? Nah, of course you don’t, you wanna get there fast, so you take the shortest route! A straight line, from one point to another.
It “should” be easy
It’s basic geometry, still a lot of people don’t seem to be able to get it right, and tend to add steps between “where they are right now” and “where they wanna be“… why not take the shortest route? It’s ok to make mistakes, but what’s important is to learn from them. If you want to achieve your goals, why not skip those extra steps and get there faster? Sometimes life gets in the way, it’s normal, but keep in mind you have dreams and goals to achieve!
Real Life Story
One of my good friends i worked with before, studied human behaviors and psychology at some University here in Montreal (can’t remember which one). One of the things he had to do at some point was to find people to participate in a study. It wasn’t an easy task, but he managed… he had to find people that didn’t have much time left on this earth, people with incurable diseases, people with life expectancy of 5 years or less at the time of the interview. Interview them, and ask them what were their goals… you’d be surprised (or not) of the results! Most, if not all, of the people he interviewed mentioned that they gave up on their dreams and didn’t reach their goals… that’s something! Why? Because they added unnecessary steps that distracted them from reaching their goals. (that’s one of the points/observations of his study, among other data he collected).
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15 Responses to “Adding Unnecessary Steps - Why?”
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Jonathan,
Great post. I love what you said about always asking yourself if you truly want or need to take that extra step.
When I’m not sure if I should take the time to do something, I simply ask myself if doing that thing will ultimately (long-term, not short-term) take me TO or AWAY from my long-term destination.
If the answer is “away” then I don’t do it. It’s amazing how much time I save by doing that!
Hi Aaron, thanx for replying, it’s always nice to have you on here!
Totally, if you want reach your goals, stuff that takes you away from them and unnecessary.
By the way Aaron, i joined you “doing it differently” blog carnival, great idea! :)
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, don’t lost focus, one step at a time and you will reach your destination. Quite easily said I agree, however not too difficult to follow.
Another good post Jon.
Cheers mate.
Hey Robin, yep it’s not really hard to follow, yet many people seems to loose track of their goals because “life gets in the way”. You just have to stay focused.
Jonathan,
I appreciate your positive feedback on the blog carnival! I’m pretty excited about. I will look forward to featuring the post that you submitted, and to continuing to read through your other blog posts as well.
Thanks again!
Thank you very much Aaron! That would be my first blog carnival participation, looking foward to it :)
I’m always trying to simplify. Probably because I have a manufacturing background.
Every extra step you can eliminate gets the job done quicker and is one less thing that can break down or go wrong or that you have to monitor or expend resources on.
Totally, in manufacturing jobs (or any job really) making sure you do your tasks with the least possible amount of steps or actions is needed/required. Good example, still we often tend to add extra steps when we work from home or as freelancers or online entrepreneurs. (unnecessary steps).
Thanx for replying Shane, it’s always nice to read your replies! :)
I always try to find the simpliest way to follow since I hate complications.
Great post. i have just reviewed your blog for ourblogreview.com and was wondering whether youwould like to swap links with me as my blog is also money related. Thank you.
Rachel
http://turnonepoundintoonemillion.blogspot.com
Chase, Rachel, please make yourself at home and welcome to SWR ;)
Rachel, i added your blog to my blogroll, thanx a bunch for the exchange! (and i can’t wait to read your review on ourblogreview)
Take care
Good points, but i think for many the problem is not just getting from A to B, but simply knowing what B is, knowing what you want.
Wiz, good point you bring, it’s true that knowing what point B is helps a lot. Of course, we all have at least a couple of ideas and goals we wanna reach (well i hope so), and usually we know where we wanna go, or at least what would be cool.
[…] Jonathan over at SmartWealthyRich.com wrote a very useful article titled, “Adding Unnecessary Steps - Why?” It was a great for me because sometimes I tend to overwork! Instead of focusing on getting […]
Court, thanx for the linkage :)