No one wants to take the long way to anywhere.  If I can get to the same destination faster, then I want to do that.  I did a Facebook post that read: “The thing about shortcuts is that one is never enough”.  ~Kimberly Guy

It is so true.  One shortcut will always lead to another, not to mention the paths of distraction every shortcut brings.  What may appear to be quick and easy is never very quick and anything but easy.  Process is inevitable.  Process is best defined as; “a series of steps to reach a particular end”.   Sometimes a goal can seem very far away so reaching for a quick fix is a natural reaction.  However, the quick fix is never the best answer.  Immediate satisfaction only last for a quick moment.  As quickly as it is felt, it disappears.  It is one thing to reach a goal and it is another to retain, what you gained.  Process provides character building traits that prepares one for the direction in which he or she is moving.  Without the process, the tools to remain on the level attained, one will fall rapidly.

In all the effort one uses to get to a particular status, it is easy to forget the getting isn’t the same as remaining on that level or holding the status.  What good is it to reach a goal that you are unable to maintain?  Think about it, you can take a shortcut to lose weight but how long can you keep the weight off?  You can reach your goal of purchasing a home, but what’s the plan to keep the home and take care of it properly.  What if you use connections to get a job?  Great once in the door, how well can you perform, how hard are you willing to work to retain the position?

The thing is that there will be work or process either way; the key is whether or not the process is preparation or desperation.  Preparation works more effectively than desperation 99.9% of the time.  Preparation is a learning stage and time whereas desperation is not.  Preparation is positive movement toward a goal (even when it doesn’t feel positive).  It provides confidence, exposure and information about things, people, places and ideas that one wouldn’t ordinarily experience.  Desperation is usually about cover-up, embarrassment, attempting to hold on or retain things gained and last minute efforts to do handle things one was not prepared or equipped to maintain.  Process is foresight and desperation is hindsight.  Process is respected, desperation is noted and considered a necessary evil at times.

NOT EVERYTHING can be foreseen, however going through the process of whatever you think about engaging is always the best option.

Have you ever noticed that the most successful people, the ones you admire, all have multiple stories of failures, trials and error?  The wisdom that we gleam, the things we learn from them are priceless lessons that cost whatever their process cost.

Don’t look or take shortcuts.  Everything fast isn’t good and everything good requires time and work.