The World is Non-linear

In life, outputs are not (usually) proportional to inputs. From very young we are told “you get what you put into.” While this is true in that we need to put in effort for something to happen, it’s wrong in implying that what we get out must match such efforts in some way. And when we believe that, we are more prone to loose patience when we are not getting the outputs we are looking for. Sometimes, we could be walking on the early segments of an exponential curve (which feels linear but eventually takes off). Other times, it could be we are concentrating our efforts on endeavors that asymptote, where we get diminishing marginal returns or any similar phenomena.

This topic needs a deeper dive than what I can afford to write right now, but I thought the following heuristic valuable enough on itself to put out.

Knowing the world is non-linear, one should do the following:

• Look to concentrate your efforts where inputs lead to comparatively humongous outputs.
• And be patient because it might take some time before you see outputs skyrocket (especially for endeavors that compound).