You’ve heard it before, right? There are no shortcuts to success in life. So why then do some people achieve it so much faster than others? The reality is, life is full of shortcuts—smart, strategic maneuvers that can accelerate your journey to success. These aren’t about cutting corners or avoiding hard work but about leveraging knowledge, resources, and opportunities more effectively. In this article, we explore 10 effective shortcuts in life that can help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently. Whether you’re looking to optimize your time, make better decisions, or build a supportive network, these tips are designed to streamline your path to success.
1. Play the Most Favorable Game
In life, the “game” you choose to play often has more influence on your success than how good you are at it. Just as in a game of chess, where your strategy matters, the environment or industry in which you operate is crucial. Consider this: if you were to purchase a bottle of water at an airport, you’d pay exorbitant prices compared to buying the same bottle at a grocery store. Why? Because the context of the purchase changes the price you pay. It’s the same with your time, energy, and resources. Where you invest these resources can have a massive impact on your success.
For example, let’s take the career path of an engineer. In a country or city where engineers are in high demand, you’ll likely thrive and find ample opportunities. But if you decide to pursue engineering in an area where the demand for such skills is low or even shrinking, your expertise won’t hold as much value. The same principle applies to industries—if you’re skilled in a field that’s slowly fading or being replaced by technology, no amount of hard work will make you successful in the long run.
It’s far smarter to position yourself in a field where the demand aligns with your strengths. Industries like tech, renewable energy, or digital marketing might not be the most glamorous, but they are thriving and have immense potential for growth. These are the “favorable games” where your odds of success are much higher. By entering a field where your skills are in demand and the growth potential is enormous, success becomes much easier to attain. This principle is about aligning your talents and passions with markets that are growing, rather than fighting an uphill battle in dying or stagnant industries.
2. Play by the Book
In every field, there are well-established rules and strategies that have been honed and refined over time. These principles aren’t new—they’ve been tested by countless individuals before you. The key to success is recognizing these time-tested strategies and applying them. Think of it like cooking: while the gadgets and tools might change, the basic rules for preparing a meal—balancing flavors, cooking times, and techniques—remain largely the same.
The same is true for any field you enter. Whether it’s business, sports, or the arts, the foundational principles of success remain relatively unchanged. For instance, in business, the importance of building relationships, understanding customer needs, and maintaining a solid financial strategy has been true for decades, if not centuries. These principles are like recipes passed down through generations of professionals. While the tools and methods may evolve—think of the internet, mobile phones, and AI—these are just advancements in how we implement the same basic principles.
This is why it’s often more effective to follow the paths that others have already trodden rather than trying to create something entirely new. The world is full of successful blueprints, and while innovation is important, it is equally valuable to learn from the hard work of others. Instead of searching for a magical, secret formula, focus on mastering the established processes that lead to success in your chosen field. When you play by the book—understanding and leveraging these foundational principles—you significantly reduce the chances of failure, and your path to success becomes clearer and more direct.
3. Play It Safe
While many people associate success with risk-taking, the reality is that most successful individuals take calculated risks rather than diving headfirst into uncertainty. The shortcut to success is not about taking wild chances, but rather about minimizing unnecessary risks. Successful people know that it’s far more important to protect their resources—be it time, money, or energy—than to gamble them away on unpredictable outcomes.
Think of risk-taking as something you only engage in after careful consideration. A true risk is uncertain, often involving a hope that something will turn out favorably, even though you have little control over the outcome. This is where the common misunderstanding lies. Many people confuse taking a risk with making a calculated prediction. The difference is important: while a risk is based on hope, a calculated prediction relies on data, analysis, and understanding of the situation at hand. In short, a calculated risk is one where the odds are favorable because you’ve done your homework.
The real shortcut here is freeing up mental space and energy by avoiding the “dumb risks” that keep you awake at night. It’s about making decisions based on facts, not emotions or impulsivity. For example, while some might rush into a risky business venture without fully understanding the market or their competition, successful people prefer to take their time to analyze and plan. They might invest in safe, low-risk assets or choose to work within industries they understand, gradually building their wealth. When you take a more conservative approach—focusing on data and careful decision-making—you eliminate the stress and uncertainty that often accompany risky ventures, allowing you to work smarter, not harder.
4. Keep It Really, Really Simple
The most effective strategies often have one thing in common: they are simple. In the pursuit of success, many individuals fall into the trap of overcomplicating things. They believe that success requires convoluted plans, complex systems, or cutting-edge technologies. But in reality, simplicity is often the most powerful shortcut to achieving your goals.
The beauty of simplicity is that it reduces the number of variables you need to consider, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Take successful entrepreneurs, for example. Many of them didn’t build their fortunes by creating complex, multifaceted businesses. Instead, they focused on a core idea or product that provided consistent value. Think of the food truck industry. It’s a simple business model: a food truck serves affordable and delicious meals to a specific target audience, often in a strategic location. The concept is straightforward, but the execution requires hard work, attention to detail, and understanding customer needs. The simplicity of the business model allows the owner to focus on what’s important—delivering great food, managing operations efficiently, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
This simplicity is evident across various successful businesses, whether it’s a local car wash or a service-based startup. The key is providing consistent value in an easy-to-understand format. Complexity only becomes a barrier to progress. The simpler your model, the easier it is to manage, scale, and maintain. When you’re not bogged down by complicated structures or intricate plans, you can remain agile and adapt quickly to market changes. In life, simplicity isn’t about doing less—it’s about focusing on what works and avoiding unnecessary distractions that dilute your efforts.
5. Find the Like-Minded People
Success is rarely a solo endeavor. Surrounding yourself with individuals who share your goals, values, and passions is one of the most effective shortcuts to personal and professional growth. The power of community cannot be overstated. A like-minded group provides motivation, inspiration, and a network of support that accelerates your progress.
When you’re on a journey to achieve a significant goal, it can often feel isolating. But by building a network of people who understand and resonate with your aspirations, you create a space where ideas, resources, and encouragement flow freely. A group of people working toward the same or similar objectives can accomplish far more than a single individual. They push each other, hold each other accountable, and celebrate wins together. This collective effort accelerates learning, minimizes mistakes, and increases the likelihood of success.
For instance, a group of entrepreneurs working on similar projects can exchange business strategies, troubleshoot problems together, and collaborate on new ventures. Each person brings unique knowledge, skills, and perspectives to the table, making the group’s success a shared goal. A network also provides access to valuable resources—such as advice, funding, or partnerships—that you might not have on your own. As you work with others who share your vision, you can learn faster, grow more, and achieve your goals with greater speed.
Even if you can’t find like-minded people in your immediate circle, you have the power to build such a community. Whether through online platforms, networking events, or industry-specific groups, creating a network of people who align with your values is a shortcut to accelerating your personal and professional journey. Together, you’ll not only move faster but also create an environment that fosters innovation, learning, and long-term success.
6. Mentor Match
One of the most powerful ways to shortcut your journey to success is by finding the right mentor. A mentor is more than just a teacher—they are a guide, a source of wisdom, and a source of accountability. However, finding a mentor who truly aligns with your goals and values can make a huge difference in how quickly and effectively you achieve your objectives. The key to success lies in the concept of a “mentor match.”
A mentor match isn’t just about finding someone who’s successful in your field. It’s about finding someone who has a career trajectory that resonates with your aspirations, someone whose experiences and values align with your own. This match doesn’t have to be a famous figure or an industry leader—often, the best mentors are those who have walked a similar path and can offer practical advice based on their own journey. They understand the challenges you’re facing and have insights that can help you navigate those challenges.
Think of mentorship as a partnership rather than a one-way learning street. A mentor who resonates with your values will provide advice that aligns with your principles, helping you stay true to your vision while pushing you to grow. They won’t just tell you what to do—they will guide you through decision-making processes, share their experiences, and hold you accountable for your goals. The relationship between a mentor and mentee is a two-way street, where both parties learn and grow together.
It’s important to approach mentorship with introspection. Reflect on your values, goals, and preferred working style to ensure that the mentor you choose is someone who will genuinely help you progress. A good mentor is not someone who imposes their way of thinking on you; instead, they help you find your own path. They are supportive, but also challenge you when necessary, pushing you beyond your comfort zone.
The shortcut here is leveraging the experience and wisdom of someone who has already achieved what you’re striving for. With the right mentor, you can avoid common pitfalls, make smarter decisions, and accelerate your path to success. Mentorship provides a roadmap for navigating the obstacles you’ll encounter, offering you a much faster route to achieving your personal and professional goals.
7. Fast-Track Learning
In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to learn quickly and efficiently is essential. Whether you’re trying to acquire a new skill, stay ahead in your career, or build a business, traditional learning methods often take too long. That’s where fast-track learning comes into play. Fast-track learning is about strategically acquiring just the right amount of knowledge you need to execute your goals. Instead of spending years mastering every aspect of a subject, you focus on the essential components that will deliver the most impact in the shortest amount of time.
The first step in fast-track learning is identifying the core components of the skill or subject you want to master. For example, if you want to run digital ads for your business, you don’t need a full degree in digital marketing. Instead, focus on the specific knowledge you need: understanding your target audience, mastering ad platforms like Facebook or Google, and crafting compelling ad copy. This targeted approach ensures that you’re learning only the most relevant material, which reduces unnecessary complexity and accelerates your understanding.
The second step is putting your knowledge into practice immediately. Most of the time, we get bogged down by overthinking and endless studying. But real progress happens when you start applying what you’ve learned. As you put your new skills into practice, you gain immediate feedback, allowing you to refine your understanding and make necessary adjustments. This learning-by-doing method helps you retain knowledge better and faster than reading about it or watching videos passively.
By concentrating on the essentials and learning as you go, you can speed up your development and minimize wasted time. Fast-track learning enables you to dive directly into action, making your journey toward mastery not only faster but also more efficient. This approach isn’t about taking shortcuts in the traditional sense—it’s about focusing on the critical aspects and getting the job done effectively without wasting time on non-essential knowledge.
8. Decision Matrix
Making decisions is a mental task that can drain your energy, especially when you’re faced with multiple options. A decision matrix is a powerful tool that helps you streamline this process by assessing your options in a structured and objective way. It’s a simple yet effective method for making tough choices with clarity and confidence, removing much of the emotional and cognitive strain associated with decision-making.
At its core, a decision matrix involves listing your options and evaluating them based on specific criteria that are important to you. For example, if you’re trying to choose between different job offers, your criteria might include salary, growth potential, company culture, work-life balance, and location. Each option is then scored based on how well it meets each criterion. Afterward, you total the scores to identify which option aligns best with your priorities.
This method allows you to assess all factors in a rational, systematic way, ensuring that you’re making a decision that truly serves your long-term goals. Rather than relying on gut feelings or getting swayed by external pressure, the decision matrix provides a clear, data-driven approach. It also minimizes the risk of decision fatigue, as you’re not constantly revisiting the same choices over and over again. By automating parts of the decision-making process through a matrix, you free up mental energy for more creative and strategic thinking.
The real shortcut here is reducing the time and mental effort you spend on making decisions. The clearer you are about your criteria and the more objective your decision-making process, the faster you’ll reach conclusions and move forward. Whether you’re choosing between business strategies, investments, or even day-to-day decisions, the decision matrix is an effective tool for speeding up your decision-making without compromising quality or accuracy.
9. Feedback Loop
Feedback is an invaluable tool for growth and improvement. The most successful individuals and companies are those that seek and act on feedback as quickly as possible. A feedback loop involves getting input on your performance or progress and using it to make immediate improvements. The faster you can iterate based on feedback, the faster you can improve and reach your goals.
The key to an effective feedback loop is ensuring that the feedback you receive is timely and actionable. For instance, if you’re running a business, you might release a new product or service to a small group of customers and then ask for their opinions. Their feedback might reveal areas where the product can be improved, enabling you to make changes before the full launch. In personal development, you might ask a mentor or a colleague to critique your work, providing you with insights that help you refine your skills.
The power of a feedback loop is that it allows you to test your ideas and strategies in real-time. Instead of spending months or even years developing something only to find out it’s not working, you can quickly identify problems and correct them before they escalate. The faster you can gather and apply feedback, the quicker you can refine your processes, products, or ideas.
Incorporating a feedback loop into your routine ensures you’re not stagnating. By constantly testing, refining, and improving, you accelerate your learning and growth. This is a shortcut to success because it dramatically reduces the time it takes to identify what works and what doesn’t. You become more agile, adaptable, and effective in everything you do, constantly fine-tuning your approach until you reach your desired outcome.
10. Priority Sorting
In a world full of distractions and endless tasks, learning to prioritize effectively is one of the greatest shortcuts to success. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we use those hours makes all the difference. Priority sorting is the process of identifying the most important tasks—the ones that provide the highest return on investment—and focusing on them while eliminating less impactful activities.
Imagine you only had two hours a day to work on your most important goals. All of a sudden, you would be forced to look at your tasks with a sharper lens. Which activities would truly move the needle forward? You’d likely eliminate non-essential tasks and focus solely on what yields the best results. The reality is, most of us fill our days with busywork—tasks that make us feel productive but don’t actually contribute to our long-term success.
Priority sorting allows you to cut through the noise and focus on high-impact tasks. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing the right things. Successful people understand this concept and use it to their advantage. By focusing only on the most important activities, they are able to accomplish more in less time. For instance, an entrepreneur might spend the majority of their time on customer acquisition and product development—two tasks that directly contribute to the business’s success—while delegating or ignoring less critical tasks like managing administrative work.
When you learn to prioritize, you stop wasting time on trivial activities and start investing your energy in what truly matters. This doesn’t just improve productivity—it enhances your decision-making, as you focus on long-term goals rather than short-term distractions. By mastering priority sorting, you can achieve more with less effort and accelerate your path to success. It’s one of the simplest yet most powerful shortcuts in life.
Conclusion
Success doesn’t have to be a long, arduous journey filled with unnecessary hurdles. By applying these 10 effective shortcuts in life, you can achieve your goals more swiftly and efficiently. From playing the most favorable game to leveraging the power of a supportive network, these strategies are about working smarter, not harder. Remember, it’s not about avoiding effort but about directing your efforts where they will have the most impact. By integrating these shortcuts into your life, you’ll find yourself progressing faster, with more confidence and clarity. So take these tips to heart, implement them, and watch as your journey to success becomes smoother and more rewarding. See you next time, and take care!