It’s Hard Work Trying to Do Things Easier

Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by Frank Roche

Progress isn’t made by early risers. It’s made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.
–Robert Heinlein

User Comments

Furley

Apr 21st, 2009

I’ve always felt that if you’re repeating yourself, you’re doing it wrong.
Ken Moir

Apr 21st, 2009

Reminds me of DIY advocate Bre Pettis’s “Cult of Done”

http://www.brepettis.com/blog/2009/3/3/the-cult-of-done-manifesto.html
Jenn Barnes / HR Wench

Apr 22nd, 2009

AND: Why is it that people who get up really early think they are better than everyone else?
Frank Roche

Apr 23rd, 2009

@Jenn LOL, it’s because we’re up early plotting against those still sleeping. It is funny, there is a certain Early Riser Arrogance.
Ed Nukic

Apr 30th, 2009

I have early riser arrogance syndrome! Or it’s a sleepy head jealousy? It could be that the former is induced by the latter!
Frank Roche

Apr 30th, 2009

@Ed….LOL…I have Early Riser Arrogance Syndrome. I’m going to be 50 this year and get up at 5:30 in the morning. I figure by the time I’m 75 I’ll be getting up at 3:30 in the morning and going to bed by 3 in the afternoon.
Ed Nukic

Apr 30th, 2009

That’s what my grandma is doing! But I agree that progress often depends on laziness. How else we would get escalators? I found out that once you hit 40 it doesn’t matter how long you want to sleep, but rather on how long your bladder will let you sleep!
Frank Roche

Apr 30th, 2009

@Ed That cracks me up…I’m certainly in that state…they have ads here about if you can’t sleep through the night because your bladder calls. I’m in the target market…and it certainly wakes me up in the morning (thank goodness!).
Ed Nukic

May 1st, 2009

Well it’s that or having another type of wake up call. Warm and wet! Around here people say that smart person would rather give up before the stupid one. I hope that is not true as the idiots would have the world for themselves then!
Frank Roche

May 1st, 2009

@Ed I like to think that persistence matters, otherwise it would be as you say. Interesting to hear sayings from different parts of the world — you’re in a very interesting and historical place. Thanks so much for your comments for sharing your ideas with KnowHR readers.
Ed Nukic

May 1st, 2009

Yeah being part of the history is nowhere near as fun as it seems. Remember interesting history makes for unhappy people, boring history makes for happy people. I love dealing with people, it isn’t really hard at all. All one has to do is to try thing from the other guys point of view. Even if that makes your stomach turns, it will help to understand how to deal with that person. Or not.