On one of our first dates ever, I thought it was a great plan to bring Grace on a hike that would end at a lakefront with the sun setting peacefully over it.
The only (or rather, one of many) problems with this plan was as follows.
Grace doesn’t particularly enjoy hiking
I had never walked this trail before so I had no idea where I was going
I am directionally challenged even in the best navigating conditions
In order to see the sunset, you have to go into the woods towards dusk. Once the sun actually sets, you have a short amount of time before it becomes dark out…in the woods…on a date with someone you hardly know…
Apparently the sun rises over this particular lake, which means it…sets on the complete opposite side of it…behind a bunch of tall trees
Needless to say, the date didn’t go according to plan and she suspiciously side-eyed me the whole time as this lost person kept bringing her deeper into the woods as it only got darker and darker.
We did make it out in time to enjoy a crepe dinner, which was one of the few options still open by the time we made it back into town.
Grace is a saint for giving me a chance after this stellar first impression.
But sometimes life can be funny in that way. You make what you suspect to be a wrong turn only to find out that this potential serial killer will actually one day become your husband.
But then on the other hand, you can confidently follow the steps provided via Google Maps to a hot new restaurant and arrive exactly on time…only to find out that it’s grossly overrated, expensive, and not even worth taking the left overs back in a doggy bag.
James Clear says, “You don’t need to worry about progressing slowly. You need to worry about climbing the wrong mountain.”
It’s cliché at this point to bemoan our generation for wanting everything instantly. Instant Messaging, Instant Noodles, Instant Pot…we want it and we want it, now!
But there’s wisdom in following the slower ways of past generations. An art to doing it the old fashioned way. Perhaps there’s a reason why vintage clothing, vinyl, and ‘minimal’ phones harking back to the old indestructible Nokia’s are starting to become in-vogue these days.
Slow progress towards our goals ensures that any progress is sustainable long-term and that if anything comes up in life that may require us to pivot, a change in direction won’t send our life careening out of control like a Ford Bronco. (cultural reference!)
It also allows us to be more thoughtful about our approach as we build up sweat equity. There’s a reason why it takes on average a person three decades to become a millionaire but 90% of generational wealth is lost by the third generation.
It’s been a tough year in some ways for me in 2024, but I’ve told myself to just put my head down and keep grinding forward. But after coming back from my recent trip overseas, the change in scenery and environment was a good shock to my system and a reminder for me to just take a seat and to look around. Sure, I was moving forward, but did I even know where I was moving towards?
Was it perhaps time for me to actually head back the way that I came from because I had taken a wrong turn at some point? A few steps back can feel devastating in the moment, sure…but is it any better sprinting forward in completely the wrong direction?
Recently someone sent me a file from 2017 and commented, “Oh man, this is so old but I think there’s still some good info in this document.”
It took me a moment to realize that 2017 was 7 years ago and I immediately had a quarter-life crisis on the spot as I realized that time is somehow moving so much faster than it did….well….7 years ago.
In just a flash it’ll be the year of our Lord, 2031 and then 2038…and so forth.
I would hate to find myself decades later celebrating as I slowly reach the summit only to realize, “shit, I climbed the wrong mountain.”
Have a good week ahead.
entertaining, thoughtful, and wise. bravo paul!