The Law of Wasted Efforts

I read in Sunday Magazine of Gujarat Samachar,  Jay Vasavada's article. He has mentioned 3 techniques of practical advantage.

The first one, “Pomodoro Technique”, I found useful for effective time management and focused execution of tasks. I feel this is useful for not just students but for all task performers. And even as managers, we perform some tasks.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a kitchen timer to break work into intervals, typically 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a university student.

Read this page, explore further and practice to your advantage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique?wprov=sfla1

Another concept he elucidated was ‘Law of Wasted Effort’. I looked for details and the finds make interesting reading.

While the Law of Wasted Efforts is not attributed to a specific individual, it draws from a long history of observations about effort, failure, and success. Its principles are reflected in the works of many thinkers and are deeply rooted in practical experience.

The Law of Wasted Efforts is a concept that highlights the inevitability of failure or inefficiency in the pursuit of success. It suggests that not all efforts will yield desired results, and some attempts may seem wasted. However, these "wasted" efforts are often essential steps in the learning process and eventual success. The key is to recognize and accept this reality, learn from failures, and persist despite setbacks.

Studies reveal that lions only succeed in a quarter of their hunting attempts — which means they fail in 75% of their attempts and succeed in only 25% of them. Despite this small percentage shared by most predators, they don’t despair in their pursuit and hunting attempts. Half of the eggs of fish are eaten and half of the baby bears die before puberty, even most of the world’s rain falls in oceans and most of the seeds of trees are eaten by birds. Scientists have found that animals, trees, and other forces of nature are more receptive to the law of “wasted efforts”.

Only humans think that the lack of success in a few attempts is failure but the truth is that we only fail when we “stop trying”. Success is not to have a life free of pitfalls and falls but success is to walk over our mistakes and go beyond every stage where our efforts were wasted, looking forward to the next stage.

Albert Einstein made a very strong remark when he said that "doing the same thing and expecting a different result is insanity." If we do want a different result then the only thing that we can do is to change the things that we've been doing thus far. Because that's the only shot we have at finding something different from what we have been finding all this while. Just because there is a flood doesn't mean farmers stop planting next year.

Thomas Alva Edison’s famous quote, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work,” reflects the essence of the Law of Wasted Efforts. His iterative approach to invention embodies the concept that "wasted" efforts are part of the path to success.

I looked for key learning from this concept of law of wasted efforts and could find that the concept teaches us:

1.      Inevitability of Failure:

-           Not every action or effort will lead to success. Some attempts will fail, and resources (time, energy, money) may feel wasted.

-           Example: A salesperson might make 100 calls and only close 10 deals. The 90 unsuccessful calls may seem wasted, but they are part of the process.

2.      Learning Through Failure:

-           "Wasted" efforts are not truly wasted if they provide valuable lessons or insights.

-           Example: Thomas Edison's numerous failed attempts to invent the light bulb were essential to his eventual success.

3.      Persistence and Resilience:

-           Success often requires repeated efforts and the ability to keep going despite setbacks.

-           Example: Athletes train for years, and many competitions may end in losses, but each failure contributes to their growth.

4.      Statistical Reality:

-           In many fields, success follows a statistical pattern. For instance, in sales, marketing, or creative endeavors, a small percentage of efforts often yield the majority of results.

-           Example: A writer might draft 10 stories, but only one becomes a bestseller.

5.      Avoiding Perfectionism:

-           The fear of wasting efforts can lead to overthinking or inaction. Accepting that some efforts will fail allows for experimentation and innovation.

-           Example: Entrepreneurs often launch multiple products before finding one that succeeds.

Awareness of the Law of Wasted Efforts is important as it helps us in following manner:

1.      Realistic Expectations: Understanding this law helps set realistic expectations and reduces frustration when efforts don’t immediately pay off.

2.      Encourages Action: Knowing that failure is part of the process can motivate people to take action without fear of wasting time or resources.

3.      Focus on Long-Term Goals: It shifts the focus from short-term failures to long-term progress and success.

4.      Builds Resilience: Awareness of this law helps individuals develop resilience and a growth mindset, enabling them to bounce back from setbacks.

5.      Optimizes Effort: By analyzing what works and what doesn’t, individuals can refine their strategies and allocate resources more effectively.

 Related Concepts:

1.      Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule):

a.      The idea that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts is closely related to the Law of Wasted Efforts. This principle was popularized by economist Vilfredo Pareto in the early 20th century.

b.      While not exactly the same, the Pareto Principle highlights the inefficiency inherent in many processes, which aligns with the idea that not all efforts yield results.

2.      Modern Self-Help and Business Literature:

a.      Authors like Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell, and James Clear have discussed similar ideas in their works. For example:

b.      Seth Godin’s concept of the "Dip" emphasizes that persistence through difficult phases (which may feel like wasted effort) is key to success.

c.      James Clear, in Atomic Habits, discusses how small, incremental efforts—even those that seem ineffective at first—compound over time to produce significant results.

3.      Statistical and Scientific Fields:

a.      In fields like statistics, machine learning, and experimental science, the concept of trial and error is fundamental. Many experiments or models fail before achieving meaningful results, reinforcing the idea that "wasted" efforts are part of the process.

In summary, the Law of Wasted Efforts teaches us that failure and inefficiency are natural parts of any journey toward success. By being aware of this law, we can approach challenges with greater resilience, learn from our mistakes, and ultimately achieve our goals.