How To Be Wrong 98% of The Time And Still Be Right

The Moon Landing

The computer that directs the space shuttle to the moon does two things: inspect and adapt.

If the ship is a little off-course, it adjusts the trajectory and pushed onward. Inspect course. Adapt course.

Doesn't sound too crazy at first but it's remarkable when we realize that it's something like 98% of the journey the space shuttle is "off-course."

The Punchline

As we each walk through our days, optimizing our routines, squeezing just a little more out of daylight, looking for those hacks that will promise us disproportionately high results . . .

Keep in mind that it's not about looking like you're on course, it's about inspecting and adapting. 98% of the time, you'll be wrong, off the mark, and spending your energy re-calibrating.

That's the un-sexy part of what we do.

It's the "no pain, no gain" part.

But it's also the conscious recognition that it's normal to be 98% "off-course."

So it's not the course that's important, after all.

Being productive, then, is about inspecting progress and adapting to reality--not necessarily about pushing forward at full speed.

2 Minute Action

What things in your life might be signs that you're on the right trajectory?

If you're not sure, you may want to try asking yourself:

• What activities make you feel the most alive?
• What activities make you feel the most dead?
• What % of your time are you spending on each?

Asking yourself this will take 2 minutes and can make a profound impact on the work you seek and the life you live if done on a consistent basis.