The Easy or Hard Path?
The Art of Choosing Between Easy and Hard Paths: A Journey through the GMAT and Life
We are often presented with a clash of choices in our daily lives. Do we choose the easier, more comfortable path? Or do we opt for the one filled with challenges and growth opportunities? This balance, this tightrope walk, can often feel like a battle against an invisible force I've coined the "Gravity of Comfort."
Life as a Series of Choices:
Every day, like planets under the force of gravity, we're pulled by the Gravity of Comfort. This force silently guides us towards the ease of an escalator over the exertion of stairs, to the allure of a couch over a workout, or to the convenience of fast food over the effort of a home-cooked meal. But, like an astronaut who trains to resist gravity's pull, I've always sought to defy this gravitational tug. Running 30 ultra-marathons and the meditation retreat are testaments to this personal commitment.
The Comfortable Western Life:
Our modern Western world, full of amenities and luxuries, has amplified this Gravity of Comfort. I've never had to walk for miles to get water or hunt for food. Instead, I order anything I could ever want from Amazon. Such conveniences, if unchallenged, can soften and weaken the spirit. To fight against this, I've thrown myself into challenges, from marathons to deep meditation retreats in foreign lands. I use these to strengthen my mind's and body's resistance to the ever-present pull of comfort.
The GMAT Revelation:
As I recently prepped for the GMAT, I encountered a new battleground against this gravity. This exam, aimed at gauging one's business sense, often means recognizing when to move on from a question rather than getting bogged down. It's a test emphasizing discernment, echoing life's bigger lessons. It's a humbling realization.1 The idea of moving on from a challenge seemed counterintuitive to my nature.
Life and the GMAT are like a marathon, where the journey's strategy often outweighs individual battles. Strangely, I could easily grasp this for physical challenges yet found it difficult in an academic and business context.
Rethinking the "Hard Path" Philosophy:
This GMAT experience has been transformative. It has forced me to question whether my default 'hard path' approach is always best. I see the value of executive discernment, of understanding that not every challenge thrown my way needs to be an exercise of pure struggle. As an astronaut learns when to use or resist gravitational forces and marathon runners regulate their pace, we must cultivate a strategic mindset for our daily lives.
Concluding Thoughts:
The "Gravity of Comfort" is ever-present, tugging at us with its promises of ease. But as we navigate the marathon of life, it's crucial to employ strategy, endurance, and discernment. It's not about winning every small battle but ensuring overall success. So, consider the forces at play as you face your next choice. And remember that sometimes, the real victory is knowing when to resist and let go.
Also humbling is realizing how bad you are at basic math. The GMAT is a humble sandwich that makes sure you stay full.