48. Are Hacks Helpful?

I have a love-hate relationship with the idea of hacks - shortcuts or novel methods that help increase personal efficiency and effectiveness.

Making changes to optimize is aligned with my favorite theory of personal development: self-leadership. But hacks should be approached with caution. What works for some will be counterproductive for others.

Those that blindly adopt hacks will cycle through them like fad diets. It doesn’t last and it makes it harder to meet long-term goals.

The first step is to think about the rationale behind the new method. What new habit is the change setting into motion?

The second step is to think about the implications behind the new method. Does this change fit within your unique context of work and life?

Hacks are ideas, not universal truths. Take the time to figure out whether and how it might work.