Optimization

1I consider myself a compulsive optimizer. I try to find the shortest path home from work. I try to multitask relentlessly. I try to write scripts at office to get my work done fast. I try to minimize the time I spend cooking, or try to cook multiple dishes, if the cooking time cannot be reduced. It is not my time alone that I'd try optimizing. I try to optimize my resource usage as well. I try to recycle paper, I try to use public transport, and much more.

While I do realize that minimizing the use of resources is indeed a commendable goal, minimizing the time "wasted" in doing day-to-day things is quite suspect. This point was driven home to me the other day. I was trying to impress upon my friend the need to optimize, when my friend very sincerely asked me what I planned to do with the time that I had saved? It is at that point that I reflected upon such relentless optimization of time. It turns out that the time saved by optimizing my tasks is not the end goal. Surprisingly, it is the thrill that I derived from having optimized that drives me to solve this complex optimization problem.

Since this optimization gives me immense satisfaction, I do not see why I should not continue doing this. However, things become hazy, when other people are involved in the equation. Especially if these other people do not believe in optimization, and moreover, want to do tasks their way. So, now I continue to optimize when there aren't any other people in the equation, and use my judgment, when other people become involved.