“Hacking” isn’t a new word, but it’s arguably never been more popular. What started as a computer term has become a name for a shortcut to success.

Trendy health interventions are now called “biohacks,” and “growth hacking” is presented as a quick and easy business strategy. Such hacks are an easy sell to people who want instant gratification but don’t believe the hype.

The truth is, achieving anything worthwhile takes hard work, and people who push hacks often overlook the degree to which excellence requires perseverance and a focus on doing things well. …

As a professional services firm, prospective clients often ask members of our team to provide detailed proposals, estimates and supporting materials as part of their evaluation process. While there’s no guarantee we will get the work, fulfilling these requests takes time, energy and resources, something that most prospects value and appreciate.

However, over the past few years, I’ve noticed a rise in professional “ghosting.”

Ghosting has become part of the dating nomenclature. Apparently, it’s the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by abruptly — and without explanation — withdrawing from all communication with them. People with avoidant personality types seem to think this approach is faultless. …

In 1991, Michael Weisser, along with his wife Julie and three of their five children, moved from New York City to Lincoln, Nebraska for Weisser’s new position: Cantor and spiritual leader of South Street Temple.

As they were moving in and unpacking, the phone rang. When they answered, the caller said, “You’re going to be sorry you moved in, Jew boy” and then hung up.

A few days later, the Weissers received a package in the mail containing hateful and racist materials along with a business card from the Ku Klux Klan (a white supremacy hate group) that read “the KKK is watching you scum.” …

If you’re planning a career change this year, you’re in good company.

A 2018 study from California software and recruiting firm Jobvite found that more than 80 percent of American workers are currently looking for a new job. In many cases, job hunters face the same question: What is the best way to pursue that next career step?

Many candidates use digital platforms to look for opportunities. Chicago-based recruitment consultant SilkRoad recently reported that three-quarters of applicants turn to online job boards during a job search. …

Back in 2012, Dollar Shave Club launched a viral video that drew millions of views in just a few days. The video helped spark the company’s meteoric rise, and in 2016 the company sold for $1 billion.

That video cost just $4,500.

Many people have tried to imitate Dollar Shave Club’s success, but it’s easier said than done. Even Dollar was unable to repeat its success with subsequent campaigns. Nevertheless, video marketing continues to grow, and 64 percent of customers are more likely to buy a product after seeing viewing a video about it. …

Whether you’re talking to a colleague, a close friend, or even a perfect stranger, the conversation often is the same.

“How’s it going?” “Good! Just busy.”

This refrain is the default for so many people in our personal and professional circles.

However, busyness shouldn’t be viewed as a status symbol — it doesn’t make us happier, and it doesn’t make us more productive. It often means we are just misusing our time.

Years ago, in one of our quarterly offsite meetings, a leadership team member told our facilitator, “I just don’t have enough time.” The facilitator looked at her, then at all of us, and said, “As a leader, ‘not enough time’ is an excuse you all must take out of your vocabulary. If you are waiting for all this free time to come, it’s never going to happen. It’s about what you prioritize and how you use your time. …

These days, everyone seems to be looking for a shortcut or a “hack.”

Apparently, things like “growth hacking,” “social media hacking,” “biohacking” and so on are all the rage. It appears everyone wants to find that magical shortcut that will lead them to getting more output with less effort.

And, of course, hacking “experts” and gurus are on hand to help! The number of seminars, webinars and pitching services focused on the “hack economy” are unprecedented.

Recently, I came across a great post about useful hacks by Morgan Housel, a partner at Collaborative Fund. He wrote about attending a three-hour session with a social media consultant who walked attendees through a slew of social media-related “hacks.” However, although she talked about things like when to post and why to create hashtags, Housel notes that the trainer never actually talked about the most important component: creating good content to post. …

For most, it’s not willpower or desire that helps us reach our goals; it’s changing our habits and making little, seemingly minor decisions each day that contribute to the big, noticeable changes later on.

That said, willpower does play an essential role in establishing new habits and reaching important goals. Research has shown that a new habit takes at least 60 days to stick. So, pushing through, delaying gratification and resisting short-term temptations during this time frame requires willpower.

A few weeks back, I had the privilege of sitting down with James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits and a recognized authority on the topic of habits. Clear’s writing process actually started as a weekly habit. …