Here’s something I do most people don’t:
Whenever there is an escalator and normal stairs next to it, I take the stairs. I know it seems like a small thing, but it’s actually kind of a big deal.
People on the escalator:
- Lose time.
- Choose to wait when they could choose to do something.
- Lose momentum.
- Lose energy.
- Hope for the world to magically carry them to where they want to go.
People taking the stairs:
- Know every minute counts.
- Take the obstacle head on and do what they can to overcome it.
- Build more momentum by bolting right through the next section of their journey.
- Keep their metabolism in good shape.
- Are aware that even if they do their best, they might not get what they want — so their best effort is the least they can do.
There’s this cheesy saying that there’s no elevator to success, but it’s true. Well, there’s also no escalator. Every time I take the stairs, I remember that.
If anything, I think life is a bit like being on an escalator that goes down, trying to run up.
Casey Neistat captured it well:
If you only make one conscious decision to improve your life today, make it this:
When you face your next uphill battle, which one is it going to be?
The escalator? Or the stairs?