In my previous post I outlined some methods for adding efficiency to one’s life. Now, this is a fine way to approach day-to-day processes, but constant adherence to this lifestyle often obscures the original intent of the efficiency. Here I will approach effectiveness and how it is possibly a deeper goal to strive towards.
What are we even talking about?
Why should any of this talk of efficiency and effectiveness matter to someone? Life goes on well enough without all of this extra effort. As with all things in life, balance is key and these topics seem nearly opposed to each other. Maybe the keystone goal to tackle is to discover and define who you want to be as opposed to what you want to do. Doing is both the engine of change while also secondary to one’s identity. Understanding where one wants to go will cause most of the other problems to melt away into small snags on the greater journey.
Thoughts vs. Feelings
Efficiency tends to clear the mind of unnecessary thought, but in the end the true aim seems to be a feeling of simplicity or contentment. Effectiveness is a better candidate for this role. One has various goals and obstacles throughout life and in the end there is a short time to do it all. While getting to work five minutes sooner due to optimizations may be somewhat pleasing, this feeling does not last. True contentment comes from completing tasks personally important and in general the way they are done will not be remembered. Focusing on progress feels better than focusing on process.
Just do the thing
For living life well efficiency is a wonderfully useful tool, but as its own goal it is perhaps a bit cumbersome. While most people will have different understandings of what it means to live effectively, it seems reasonable to say everyone wants to do something. If doing more is a general goal, then doing more well would certainly be desirable. However, doing only a few things well may end up dragging one down if progress in one’s accomplishments begins to lull. Just doing what you need to do without regarding how well it’s done can impact life positively enough to offset the inefficiencies.
Living life fully should be approached as a process as opposed to a goal; there are no final achievements within life itself, but instead there are events, failures, and accomplishments. Managing the ratio of personally valued moments and empty efforts is just as important as using one’s resources to their greatest.