Contrary to what most people believe, there are shortcuts in life. In fact, most people work too hard trying to achieve their goals because they don't seem to realize that it's not necessary to bend over backwards for every little thing. Of course, some of you out there already know this, and are smirking to yourselves as you read this article. That's okay, just humor me a little and think about this next problem.
Picture this: you are a 12 years old un-athletic boy stuck on one side of a solid brick wall that's twice as tall as you. There's a million dollars on the other side. To your left, there is a guard with a bat who's more than capable of knocking a hole in the wall, but since he does not know about the one million dollars, he will not knock down the wall for you. To your right, there's a really long aluminum pole. Those are the only things on your side of the wall. How do you get the 1 million dollars?
------ Think about it and answer to yourself ------
There are many difference solutions here. If you answered:
Knock down the wall yourself: Good news! You have great energy, but unfortunately, you work too hard for what you have. All that bashing and sweating is bound to give you a headache, and who knows how long it will take for you to get through the wall? You shouldn't give 110% of your energy to every small problem, or you'll wipe yourself out before the big problems even get to you.
Pole-vault over the wall: You need to think before you act . . . there's no mattress on the other side, and you'll go splat. (You're un-athletic, remember?) Though it's true that there is no success without action, there is no success either in action without thinking. Try reasoning things through before charging headfirst into something?
Tell the guard about the million dollars and offer to split with him 50-50: Aww, that's sweet that you don't mind sharing . . . too bad he does. What's stopping him from breaking down the wall and running off with the million dollars himself? Do not tell people every good thing that happens to you, especially not strangers. There's a reason behind the don't trust strangers rule.
Hop on the guard's shoulders: Clever, but I don't think the guard will appreciate a random child jumping on his shoulders for no particular reason. I know you won't.
Go home and forget about the million: Stop being a quitter or you'll never get anything done in life.
Sit and cry: I'm really not sure what to tell you . . .
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Now some of you out there were clever enough to think outside the box and decided to go around wall (no wall is infinitely long). Those of you who did, you already know how life works and don't need me to blab on and on about it. Good luck in all your endeavors in the future.
I hope you all had fun with this problem. Tune in next week (except for those of you who thought out of the box) for tips on how to get better grades without working so hard.
With love,
Mitsuy
