Why We Struggle With “The Efficiency Mindset”
To consider a concrete example, think of a task like studying for an exam There is something you want: to pass the exam and learn the material. There are actions you can take to get what you want: studying. Some actions are more efficient than others: some methods of studying result in more learning than others. If you use more efficient methods to save time studying for the exam, you can put that time toward other activities you enjoy. The efficiency mindset applies broadly because these assumptions apply to many things. But it’s also important to note where they break down.A common criticism of the efficiency mindset is rooted in an overly-narrow interpretation of assumption #1, the things you want. Consider speed reading a novel. This is “efficient” in the sense that you’re getting through the book in less time. But is that really what you want? Much of the value in reading a novel comes from enjoying the plot, dwelling in the world of the characters, or pondering the book’s deeper meanings. When efficiency often fails, it is usually because we’ve adopted an overly restrictive, incomplete, or inaccurate view of what’s valuable about the activity.While this is a wrinkle in applying the efficiency mindset, it’s not a compelling argument against it. If you incorporate all the things you value, appropriately weighted, then the efficiency mindset still works. It’s essential to include things like “enjoyment” and other…
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