Teamwork of businesspeople

Optimizing is the act or process of making something, anything, a task, system, or decision as fully perfect, functional, or effective/efficient as possible. 

As a kid if I saw leaves blocking the flow of rainwater in a gutter, I felt compelled to remove the obstruction so the water would flow smoothly, the system would function properly. I would (and still do!) get a terrific sense of satisfaction out of making things work better.

Optimizers are optimistic; they believe there is ALWAYS a better way, always an opportunity to improve even if only in incremental ways that can add up powerfully over time. Optimizers are also lifelong learners, ferociously committed to become the best they can be in order to collectively help create the best world possible. Wake up to the joy of optimizing and go to sleep every night knowing you’ve left the world a better place.

Closing Quotes:

“I have a weird obsession with optimizing things. I’m always trying to find ways to make something more efficient.” – Tobi Lutke, CEO Shopify

“Sub-optimization is when everyone is for himself. Optimization is when everyone is working together. Management’s job is to optimize the whole system.” – W. Edwards Deming, 1900-1993

“Optimizing your strength is not optional, it’s an obligation.” – J.R. Rim

P.S. – Satisfying v. Optimizing: In complex situations, occasionally, to optimize the overall goal one must be temporarily content with merely satisfying sub goals i.e. “Constrained optimization is the art of compromise between conflicting objectives. This is what design is all about.” – William A. Dembski, Signs of Intelligence: Understanding Intelligent Design 

As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier