Eliminate Unnecessary Steps to Success

serendipity can be engineered, that luck can be manufactured, convention can be defied

This idea rewired how I think about path to success. It showed me that most “rules” we follow are just habits that no one questioned long enough.

As an example: As an introvert, I used to think networking meant endless meetups and forced conversations. But a smarter way is to connect with connectors—people whose own networks multiply yours. One genuine relationship with such a person is worth a hundred shallow exchanges.

The same logic scales. Founders can spend years cold-calling or they can leverage existing networks—by partnering with companies that already have reach, or collaborating with rainmakers who open doors effortlessly. Speaking at conferences or volunteering for events that attract industry leaders is another way to place yourself where opportunities happen faster.

Smartcuts aren’t shortcuts. They aren't about avoiding work; they're about eliminating unnecessary steps.

# About the Book

Smartcuts by Shane Snow explores how innovators and high achievers accelerate success by rethinking conventional paths. Through stories from business, science, and entertainment, Snow shows how to climb the ladder sideways instead of slowly inching up. It’s a reminder that working smarter often starts by questioning why we’re working a certain way at all.

Buy the book: https://jjude.zlynks.me/smartcuts
Read my full review: Book Notes - Smartcuts

This is part of 100 Ideas That Shaped Me from Books I Read