Resisting the path of least resistance
bythemethod | July 6, 2009
Path to nowhere
We always seek the path of least resistance to achieve our goals. However this tendency means that we seldom actually achieve our goals. It’s this search for the ultimate path of least resistance that makes us do nothing. You might also call this laziness I guess.
You see when we are faced with a problem to solve or something we want to get we tend to settle for the least amount of effort to get it. Then when we don’t get it we persuade ourselves that we did try but it just didn’t work.
In sports there are plenty of people who play sports who take the easiest path to prepare for the sport. They do the very least amount of exercise and attend the fewest number of practices and then wonder why they don’t win.
This has always been the problem with setting targets. You see when you set targets people automatically work towards the target and put the least amount of effort in to reach them. It’s not that setting targets is bad – it is necessary – but the target needs to be a guide and not a reward.
So how do you avoid this path of least resistance?
I suggest the first step is understanding that it exists. That the next time you set out to do something recognise that you will be tempted to take the easiest route and not necessarily the best or most rewarding route.
Personal development involves learning to seek out the best route and commiting yourself to achieving it. When you set your goals think hard if you will be pushing your limits, if not then set them a little higher.
