Smartcuts

Success isn’t just about hard work; it’s about working smart and finding ingenious ways to climb faster and higher.

1. Hack into the career ladder – don’t climb it the traditional way.

Most people believe career success comes from following a traditional, linear path. However, this approach can be slow and limiting. Instead, consider making lateral moves or unconventional choices to speed up your journey. This technique relies on lateral thinking: making unexpected connections and taking smarter approaches.

Lateral thinking often leads to “smartcuts.” Unlike shortcuts, smartcuts still maintain quality but allow you to accomplish your goals more efficiently. Successful individuals often find innovative ways to bypass traditional steps. They rely on unique strategies that save time while reaching the same or better outcomes.

For example, a third of U.S. presidents didn’t adhere to the conventional route of spending a long time in Congress before running for office. Leaders like Woodrow Wilson, who led a university, and Dwight Eisenhower, who had a military background, transitioned diagonally into the presidency. By leveraging their existing expertise, they avoided the slower political ladder.

Examples

• Woodrow Wilson shifted from academia to politics, bypassing traditional political offices.
• Dwight Eisenhower used his military leadership experience to win the presidency.
• Entrepreneurs often sidestep corporate ladders by launching their own ventures.

2. Learn from mentors to unlock your full potential.

Almost every successful person has had a mentor guiding them. A great mentor provides advice and practical knowledge that accelerates your journey. Mentors who genuinely care about their mentees and build organic relationships are particularly effective.

Informal mentoring relationships often yield better outcomes than structured programs. A study by psychologist Christina Underhill showed informal mentorship led to greater professional success, higher salaries, and increased self-esteem. The close personal connection helps mentors provide tailored guidance and support.

An example includes comedian Jimmy Fallon, who credits much of his success to Randi Siegel, his talent manager. Additionally, surgeons in a London hospital improved patient care by learning techniques from Ferrari’s Formula One pit team. This unusual mentorship led to outstanding results, including a 66% reduction in medical errors.

Examples

• Jimmy Fallon's rising career was supported by Randi Siegel's encouragement.
• Heart surgeons in London adopted efficiency techniques from Ferrari's pit crew.
• Informal mentorships outperform formal ones in terms of career growth and satisfaction.

3. Failure and negative feedback are tools for improvement.

Failure is inevitable, but how you respond is what truly matters. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as an opportunity to grow. Negative feedback, when approached constructively, provides specific clues on how to improve and avoid repeating mistakes.

Not all feedback is equal, though. Studies by Avraham Kluger and Angelo DeNisi found feedback focusing on personal traits (e.g., “Be more coordinated”) can be counterproductive. However, feedback targeting behaviors or methods offers actionable steps. For example, Second City improv school trains students to treat negative feedback as information, helping them strengthen their skills without emotional baggage.

When negative feedback is reframed as a learning tool, it fosters confidence and clarity. Second City performers improve because they face live audiences and weekly critiques, helping them view failure as a stepping stone.

Examples

• Second City improv students thrive on critiques to refine their craft.
• Avraham Kluger’s studies show targeted feedback boosts performance.
• Learning from failures fosters adaptability in competitive industries.

4. Leverage existing platforms to amplify your efforts.

Success often requires building upon existing resources rather than starting from scratch. Platforms, like cutting-edge technologies or foundational strategies, serve as springboards that simplify your path to achieving goals.

For instance, Finland re-engineered their education system in the 1990s. They built on the existing infrastructure by hiring highly-qualified teachers and focusing on mentorship-driven learning. The result was groundbreaking: Finnish students began outpacing global peers in educational performance.

By using existing tools intelligently, you can also innovate and address pain points. Whether it’s applying a basic tool like a computer or tweaking existing systems, recognizing the power of pre-established platforms allows for faster gains.

Examples

• Finland’s revamped education system improved learning by using modern teaching approaches.
• Computers leverage decades of advancements, saving users from reinvention.
• Platforms are refined and tailored to specific needs, maximizing efficiency.

5. Spot patterns and use trends to your advantage.

Understanding the underlying patterns of your industry gives you the ability to predict trends and seize opportunities as they arise. By staying informed and alert, you’re more likely to ride the next big wave.

Sonny Moore, better known as Skrillex, exemplifies this strategy. He identified early trends in “screamo” music and used social media to amplify his band FFTL’s success. Later, he foresaw the rise of EDM and rebranded himself as a producer, earning global acclaim.

Companies like Google think similarly. Gmail started as a side project for Google employees. By staying aware of growing demand for better email services, Google was poised to launch Gmail as needs shifted.

Examples

• Sonny Moore capitalized on emerging trends in both screamo and EDM music.
• Google leveraged employee-driven innovation to spot Gmail’s early potential.
• Reading industry shifts allows even novice entrepreneurs to catch waves.

6. Use superconnectors to spread your message.

Superconnectors — influential people or platforms — help share ideas and products across broad networks. Finding the right superconnectors speeds up the adoption of your product or service.

Aaron Patzer of Mint Software strategically built his following by sharing financial tips on a blog. He used platforms like Reddit and Digg, gaining millions of views. As people found value in his advice, Mint's customer base grew, eventually leading the company to great success.

Superconnectors provide credibility too. During Cuba’s revolution, Che Guevara's “Radio Rebel” became trusted because it offered relevant education to locals. Once trust was established, the platform bolstered revolutionary efforts.

Examples

• Aaron Patzer used social bookmarking to increase Mint's audience.
• Social platforms enable rapid word-of-mouth growth for small startups.
• Che Guevara built trust through education, amplifying his revolution’s message.

7. Momentum builds long-term success.

Early success can act as a powerful force — momentum — that pushes you toward greater achievements. It’s important to identify and build on this momentum when opportunity strikes.

Michelle Phan’s first big success came in 2009 when she made a video tutorial mimicking Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” look. The massive interest in her video allowed her to scale her reach. By following up immediately with more videos, she turned a viral moment into a sustainable career.

The key is recognizing when you have forward motion and finding ways to expand it into long-term progress.

Examples

• Michelle Phan built on the success of her viral makeup tutorial.
• Leveraging small achievements helps cultivate bigger wins down the line.
• Recognizing buzz moments amplifies future opportunities.

8. Simplification is the ultimate efficiency booster.

Complicated processes drain energy and resources. By simplifying methods, you can save time, align efforts, and increase productivity. Simplification applies to both business approaches and personal routines.

In the early 2000s, USB sticks replaced floppy disks by making data storage effortless. The simpler innovation not only enhanced performance but reshaped industries.

Steve Jobs used the same philosophy, wearing identical black turtlenecks daily to eliminate decisions about clothing. This routine freed mental energy for what mattered most.

Examples

• USB drives streamlined data storage and replaced outdated solutions.
• Steve Jobs’ minimal wardrobe freed his focus for creative work.
• Simplifying decision-making avoids mental fatigue and improves efficiency.

9. Dream 10x bigger for transformative outcomes.

Minor improvements only get you so far. Instead of aiming for small changes, pursue bold visions that could multiply your impact or results tenfold. This ambitious mindset challenges traditional thinking and spurs creativity.

Google[x] applies "10x Thinking" by tackling futuristic challenges rather than incremental updates. Similarly, Elon Musk developed SpaceX, creating a revolutionary private space tech company instead of bending existing systems.

Big dreams draw excitement and support, making even impossible-seeming goals achievable.

Examples

• Elon Musk's SpaceX redefined space travel with its ambitious vision.
• Google[x] encourages breakthrough solutions through 10x Thinking.
• Larger ideas often attract enthusiastic investors and collaborators.

Takeaways

1. Seek mentors and build informal relationships that encourage constant growth.
2. Use existing tools or platforms rather than creating everything from scratch.
3. Embrace failure as a stepping stone and learn from constructive negative feedback.