Gold Rush

Here's the thing about the gold rush. The gold was always present. It was just finally discovered. Then the word spread, and then the panic.

The extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds still exist today—we just now call it FOMO. The emphasis lands on the rush, and it changes how we approach the work. Shortcuts become normal. Slop becomes the default. Speed becomes the point. Quality stops mattering.

But the rush always ends. Much like the lottery: someone will win some gold. Most go home right back where they started. Empty-handed.

Rushing without intention is a race to the bottom. The work is to choose the intention and then choose the rush.

(Of course, you could just sell shovels instead.)