The Curse of the Worst Acceptable Solution

In life we are constantly faced with challenges and opportunities that demand our attention. So often, we are given the chance to solve a problem or scratch an itch permanently with a single superior solution – and yet, we instead choose to limp along with subpar solutions.

What causes us to succumb to the worst acceptable solution? In this article I examine one particular instance where I constantly chose less idea solutions due to laziness, and the tendency to implement the least difficult, acceptable solution – which, very generally speaking, is also the worst.

Why 3% of Harvard MBAs Make Ten Times as Much as the Other 97% Combined

The Harvard MBA program is extremely competitive, and Students who make it past the application process are typically standouts, and already fairly successful by most traditional definitions – they have an undergraduate degree, typically three to five years of work experience and were considered suitable for acceptance into the Harvard Business School.

The average Harvard MBA graduate starts at $115K with a $20K signing bonus.  Nonetheless, some graduates of the Harvard MBA program end up being MUCH more successful than the other in the long run.  What is their secret?

Leveraging Expertise – On The Shoulders Of Giants

“We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours.”
John of Salisbury

Today, anyone can buy an MP3 player, download some podcasts and transform their headphones into a mobile classroom.  We can access discussions, explanations – and my favorite, solutions from the best minds of today and yesterday.

Rather than going through the process of trial and error ourselves, we can benefit from other people who have already made the mistakes and distilled those lessons into concise explanations.

Famous Failures – Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln and J.K. Rowling

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
– Michael Jordan

A collection of inspirational videos showcasing the failures of Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln, JK Rowling and others, and how they bounced back to become the successes they are today. A wonderful collection of stories tied together with a common theme of personal achievement.

How to Effectively Read 12,853 Articles, Forum Topics & Blog Posts a Week

That’s right, 12,853 Articles, Forum Topics & Blog Posts.  At least approximately – that’s what I processed last week.  And I do it all in less than 1 hour a day (mostly =) ).  Rather than just blindly reading everything I come across though, I follow a process to make my time reading online as efficient as possible.

Read on as I discuss the issue and the process I have come up with to make my reading quick, and make the time spent efficient.

Positive Talk Creates Positive Action – How to Stop Talking Like a Loser

Every day we make many tiny decisions that affect our lives.  One of the decisions we make almost unconsciously is the way we talk to ourselves, and the way our words affect our attitude and our action.  I caught myself doing it yesterday when I considered going to the gym and then thought “I don’t want to do it.” Right away I decided that was it – no more loser talk, time to go work out!