The Optimization Loop

The other day, I stood in line behind two road cyclists ordering coffee after their ride.
Their conversation revolved around cadence and pacing.
One talked about timing their ride to avoid stronger afternoon winds across the bridge.

I recognized their language. In my younger days, I pursued road cycling with zeal.
I tracked my distances, pace, and rhythm.
I derived satisfaction from shaving a few minutes off a climb or conserving energy over a longer ride.

Founders often gravitate toward this mindset because they operate under constant pressure.
They have limited time and resources.
Every decision affects the journey ahead.

This need to optimize every aspect of startup life can lead to a constant state of adjustment, adding more stress than ease.

Part of the creative process involves allowing room for openness, experimentation, and unexpected discovery.

Optimization begins as a useful tool.

We optimize schedules, routines, workflows, spending, meals, sleep, exercise, and recovery.
To improve efficiency and conserve energy.
To create more time and space.

We then fill the time.
And the space.
Then we optimize again.
The cycle continues.

Over time, we can get caught in this loop.

Zooming out to a wider lens, how well does an optimized life serve us?

Do we actually slow down, sit back, and savor the time and space that we had cleared?

Or are we just using it to find other things in life to optimize?

Because over time, optimization for its own sake can gradually take over.
Perpetual refinement reduces room for rest, organic recovery, recalibration, spontaneous wandering, discovery, and reflection.

Life brings forth situations that don’t always require optimization.

These days, I view optimization differently.
I pay more attention to the experience itself.
The landscape.
The drifting fog.
The bracing wind on the bridge.

So if you’re finding yourself in this loop, perhaps it’s time to step out and give yourself a break.
Have an unstructured weekend morning.
Go for a short road trip without using GPS.

Take off that Optimization hat for the day.

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