Any short cuts or head starts in life?
- personal995
- Jul 15, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2024
“There are no shortcuts. If you're working on finding a shortcut—the easy way—you're not working hard enough on the fundamentals. You get away with it for a spell, but there is no substitute for the basics. And the first basic is good old-fashioned hard work.”
Coach John Wooden
1. Some Key Concepts
As Coach Wooden highlights above, in general there are no shortcuts, as we all have our own path of growth and it is a journey. However there are some concepts and learnings that if embraced early can assist:
Review the 'Compounding' section in Mental Models in Maths & Science. Many benefits in life, health, relationships, finances, knowledge and competence come from compounding.
Review Focus. In an age of instant everything, exceptional focus can provide an advantage.
Review Others. Most of us are quite poor at listening to and considering others, it can add many benefits to life when well honed.
Review Astuteness & Judgement. The ability to assess situations and make difficult decision is one of the most useful skills to use across all aspects of life.
2. Self > Others > All
'Do not take short cuts,' is one of the most powerful short cuts.
For the most part, we all follow a similar path through life (hence the design of The Path). In a broad sense it follows Self > Others > All.
As in, first you need to support your 'Self', before you can support 'Others,' before you can support 'All.'
If you try to skip ahead, eg. start a relationship whilst you are unhealthy, in financial debt and unsure of your direction in life, it is likely to put strain on the relationship.
But also note, there are always dichotomies and contradictions in life. Sometimes a solid relationship is built strong from working through tough times together, and one of the main lessons in life is that, in the end, real joy is often found in helping others. Which then takes the Self > Others > All model full circle eg. in the end by helping others you are actually helping yourself.
3. Balance
Stayed balanced to make less mistakes. A few examples:
If you are working hard aiming to achieve your Goals ensure to monitor your Energy Management to avoid burnout and going backwards.
If you are highly focused on your Income, ensure to keep an eye on your relationships with Others, to not let them go neglected. And also to spend time to Discover your uniqueness, so you have an eye on moving further towards what fulfils you.
If you are focused on Investing and building your wealth spend some time reading Library: Philosophy to ensure you are clear on your own ethics and Values, and don't wake up one day wealthy but lonely and purposeless.
If you are learning how to influence Others and build your Astuteness in influencing situations, spend some time on Compassion and Selflessness to ensure you are creating win-win scenarios and not becoming one sided or selfish.
4. Reading
If there is a super power that can provide 'short-cut like' results it is potentially reading. For a few reasons:
Reading helps to build Focus. In a world of instant everything and expected instant gratification, the ability to sit quietly and read is becoming rare and more valuable.
Reading helps to build Knowledge. Often the best answers to questions in your field, don't come from your field. If you read widely, you can potentially understand more than your direct experience provides.
Reading helps to understand Others. We all see the world through our own five sense, our experiences and perspectives. Reading can drop you into the lives, times and experiences of many.
Here are the links to our library collections to get you started:
Library: Maths & Physics
Library: Chemistry & Biology
Library: Philosophy
Library: Human Nature
Library: History
Library: Biography
Library: Strategy
Library: Decision Making
Library: Finance & Investing
Library: Fiction
"In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn't read all the time -- none, zero. You'd be amazed at how much Warren reads--and at how much I read."
Charles T Munger
5. Being Present / Mindfulness
If hard pressed to select one 'short-cut' it would be practicing presence / mindfulness.
The person in a high pressure situation who is practiced at Detachment, will usually have the best Judgement.
The person who can manage their Emotions, is usually going to be better at Investing.
The person who finds Peace & Joy within themselves, is usually going to have better relationships with their Self and Others.
We wish you all the best. Enjoy and take care.
The team at STRATEGY OF ONE
