Sunday, February 05, 2012
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Beware the Path of Least Resistance

The Path of Least Resistance (PLR) is well-trodden and well-worn. Fewer than 5% of people ever achieve anything significant in their lives. Do you think they stayed in their comfort zone? No way, and neither should you!

I'm asking you to consider the phrase ‘if it ain’t broke, break it!’ The excellent Nigel Percy recently sent me something on PLR:

“It’s a natural thing; the path of least resistance. Rivers do it when they track from mountain to sea, cows do it when they traverse across a hillside rather than climbing boulders and blasting through hedges, roads follow the tracks that cows (and sheep and carts) took. Even the most powerful forces do it; lightening takes the fastest and easiest way to earth and waterfalls seek out the edge and just go for it!”

Humans do it too. We take the easy road, we take the path that requires the least amount of thought and effort. Of course, this is often the best way to go. You can get around obstacles, awkward people, blockages and barriers with easier paths. But you can see that breaking through can bring new learning and new skills.

Habits are formed by making grooves in the brain. All too often, such a deep groove is formed that it’s difficult to get out of. An example is asking for referrals. You ask in the same way every time because it’s the easiest way for you. Or in networking, you do the same thing every time because it’s worked in the past.

Breaking through PLR means unlearning some ways so you can build up others. You can tread new paths. There might even be easier paths than the one you’re currently travelling along, that can bring you to better destinations.

What to inventors do? Find a new or better PLR! They look at the way something is done and they think of better, more effective, faster and often simpler ways to do something. What do entrepreneurs do? They look for new, better and different ideas that solve problems and create different paths. It pays us all to be more entrepreneurial. It keeps you fresh, upskilled and ready for the challenge.

Here are some warning signs and things to look out for if you want to ‘up your game’:

  1. Habits and PLR’s that are old, weary and in need of a little re-appraisal
  2. Complacency, inertia, laziness and a fear of trying something new. That’s exactly the time to try something new.
  3. Doing the same as everyone else.
  4. Doing the same thing for years and expecting different or better results.
  5. Integrity issues where you allow people to get away with bad practice, lazy habits and sub-standard performance ‘because it’s easy.

    Rob's Quick Tips

Start breaking what ain’t broke and see if you can’t get bigger, better, stronger and faster as a result! Four key areas you could look at:

 

  1. Time management – look at your systems, processes, jobs, concentration, ability and focus on one task until completion.
  2. Referrals – what’s working and what isn’t? What phrases, scripts, methods and even referral sources have become tired and over-worked?
  3. Networking – look at your ‘safe events’. Every one you attend stops you looking at new and different events.
  4. Relationships – which people are you still around because it’s easy. Relationships are meant to be renewed, re-evaluated and discarded so you can make way for new ones or leverage existing ones.