The Problem With Taking Shortcuts

People ask me these questions a lot: How can I grow my audience faster? Is there a shortcut to getting my page on the first page of Google? Can we get this XXX [insert: article, blog post, brochure, social media strategy, email newsletter, video, etc.] done sooner? How can I take a shortcut to achieve my goal?

Every day I see Facebook ads that promise faster and better results in less time, often with less resources. Ads that promise exceptional results, like growing your email list exponentially in a very short time frame or building a 6-figure business in 12 months from scratch. Whether it’s a promising way to grow your business, lose weight, or find the partner of your dreams — if you are taking a shortcut to reach your goal, you most likely end up being disappointed, even if you happen to achieve your aim.

Shortcuts deny us the opportunity to experience the journey.

Shortcuts may get us to the finish line (if you are lucky), but when we get there we will realize that we never really arrive. The work won’t be done. You will still need to make more income, you will still need to maintain that weight, and you will still need to nurture that relationship with the love of your life.

Shortcuts may get us to a goal faster, but we will arrive out of breath and on wobbly legs. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial in the long run to go on a journey that will give you strength, an enhanced experience, and joy?

By being focused on taking a shortcut and arriving at your destination faster, you not only risk expending all your energy but you also might miss other, more promising, opportunities.

Taking a shortcut successfully is not necessarily a win.

In my experience, whenever I got something accomplished faster or by taking a shortcut, it usually lacked in substance and quality, which as a consequence would curb the expected outcome. Taking a shortcut often means compromising on other things to attain your goal.

Before you decide to take a shortcut, I would encourage you to think about what you are really after. Is it meeting the man or woman of your dreams in three months, or rather being in a fulfilling relationship long-term? Is it losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks, or rather changing your lifestyle so that you never have to diet again? Is it getting to 10,000 followers within a month, or building an engaged and loyal audience of like-minded people that will continue to support you and buy from you down the road?

I help social entrepreneurs and organizations in the social mission sector inspire audiences, create movements, and ignite change.

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