You can tell someone what you want done, or how you want it done. Many were raised to do the former. Following rules was emphasized over whether or not the goal was achieved. In fact, there was an implicit belief that following the rules mattered more than whether it achieved anything or not. Following the rules was really meant to validate an institution or person.

But too many rules, procedures, methods, and processes don’t have a meaningful lifespan. The only way to navigate the world today is by focusing on the objective and crafting your path accordingly, on what actually works. If you’re trying to summit a mountain and the “official” path is blocked or impassable, you either turn around and quit or you blaze your own trail to the top. Few go on a hike with staying on the official trail as the first and foremost goal.

In 2019 I hiked Eightmile Mountain, which has no trail of any kind. I simply hiked where it was passable. It wasn’t my fondest hikes, and perhaps I could have picked a better approach, but in the end I reached the summit.

I also got photos like this.

I'll Be Brief: Entry #2
Eightmile Lake below