#270: A little less nose grinding

I recently suggested that if at first you don’t succeed, try something easier, the way a river flows to the sea. A listener responded by saying that keeping your nose to the grind stone surely has a better track record of success than ‘struggle easier’.

I don’t think so.

What happens when you keep your nose to the grindstone? You also keep your head down. And when you keep your head down you risk not seeing the changes happening around you. You could be grinding away at what no longer matters.

I never said ‘don’t struggle’. I said ‘struggle easier’. Struggle is often necessary. What happens when a river does not reach the sea? At best a lake; at worst a stagnant pool.

To avoid stagnation, some struggle is necessary. But please question the degree and don’t assume that it must be a grind.

Personally, I find ‘struggle easier’ much more fun than ‘nose grinding’.


I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

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