There’s an assumption that practical and radical are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Sometimes, the reverse is true. The most practical things can be the most radical.
Radical means outside the status quo; something not often done or considered; something beyond the social mores and institutions of the day. Practical means something that’s efficient at achieving your tangible, real-world goals.
Think about how many social norms and activities are horribly inefficient: K-12 education, college,formal attire, working in a giant office building instead of from a remote office, buying instead of renting, working for someone else instead of contracting out or starting your own firm, waiting to retire before you live where you want to, and on and on ad nauseum. None of these are bad in themselves, but considering the stated goals of those who engage in them, they’re almost always an unnecessarily costly and painful approach.
If you zoom out, get in touch with your real desires and goals, and consider the best way to achieve them, so many of the standard approaches turn out to be wholly impractical. Don’t worry about what’s considered radical by society; ask yourself what works best at getting what you want, and do it. It’s prudent and practical, even if others consider it radical.
If doing what works best for you is radical, wear it as a badge of honor.
August 26, 2013
