Sometimes the Most Obvious Answer IS the Answer
Every week there seems to be some new pill, exercise, bio hack, etc. that claims to give us a shortcut to what we want. I’ve known people who have jumped on each and every new trend seeking the answer to their problem. Inevitably they never find what they are searching for.
This meme accurately describes who I used to be. For several years I had an increased focus and effort towards losing body fat in an attempt to achieve the physical appearance I had wanted for most of my life. There were other key factors included in this effort such as exercise, weight training, and sleep/recovery. I had done a much better job of dialing those in and the missing piece was the food and drink choices I made on the weekends.
I laugh at the meme because I see myself in the place of Wayne (from the movie Wayne’s World). I spent my week focused and conscious of what I was eating, but when the weekend rolled around I would let go of all that and indulge in the very foods I had spent the week avoiding. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a staunch advocate for enjoying life, including foods. In fact, almost every Friday evening I still like to eat pizza and watch a movie, sometimes while enjoying a can of Coca Cola (I can’t think of the last time I had a Pepsi). I also like chocolate, gummy candies, and Doritos, particularly on the weekends. The humor is that the solution to my problem, losing fat, was so blatantly obvious that it was easy to overlook it; stop throwing away all the progress from the week by going crazy on the weekend. Something interesting I’ve learned is that this is also true for so many people seeking solutions to their problems.
While you’re off searching for the thing that will make the 5% improvement, why not consider the thing that offers a 30% improvement? Just because the obvious thing looks boring or too simple doesn’t mean it won’t work. Do you find yourself looking for the new thing while avoiding the sure thing? Consider what your goal is, and ask yourself if there is a simple solution that seems too obvious. You might be surprised at what you find.
Until next time, live long and prosper my friend.
-Nate
“With all things being equal, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one.”
-William of Ockham