#2 Open Shortest Path First

#2 Open Shortest Path First

To start with, probably the least applied, the easiest to overlook and least likely to be thought of approach to life is going for the goal in the most direct way possible. Direct to the extreme, where path is so short, so illogical and so counter-intuitive no-one will even attempt it.

The origin of this concept doesn't seem to be well described, at least not in such a precise way in any of the ancient philosophy writings. Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is actually a name of a routing protocol passing data in computer networks in the most optimal way.

In Call of Duty search and destroy the most common and expected play is meeting the opponent mid map, direct contact, fight it out. Very unlikely, the most dangerous way of play is to rush plant (that starts a timer to end the round and brings all players to one spot) risking enemy fire and then thinking how to survive this later adapting to evolving situation. The chances of this actually working are pretty low, but when it does work it is 10x more impressive than carrying out the normal boring 2min game.

In work environment Open Shortest Path First tactic works amazingly well when used in applying for new jobs. Many times job offers posted would have a large list of requirements like higher education or x years of experience. The normal approach would be to collect all of them and apply only then. People would be surprised how many times the employee market is so drained that companies would hire way below their requirements if you show up motivated.

When progressing in career, there are typically standard paths that are followed were you get promoted sequentially into higher positions. Trying to skip levels is typically frowned upon and very unlikely to be done. At some point in my career I knew exactly who I want to become and I really didn't like the idea of gradually getting there role by role, as I knew my desired position requires completely different skill-set and I would waste years of life doing irrelevant things. I applied directly from my lower position for desired job. 100% of people I talked with about this including family and friends thought I am insane doing this, saying I can't just do it like that (this is a really good indicator you are really trying to open shortest path first). I got the job, I needed to adapt fast, and learn a lot of things, but it was worth it. Now I have all these years of additional experience on my dream job.

In school, knowing how much I dislike one of the subjects and I will absolutely not need the grade for anything going forward, I would calculate that my avg grade was a sufficient pass even if the last large exam was a F and I stopped going to classes when I reached 51% min required attendance. That was my shortest path of getting out of this forever.

Taken to extremes (don't try this at home), American comedian Louis CK tells a story on how once he dropped off a rental car directly at the airport front door and called rental company from the plane that if they want it back their car is there.

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