Multiplying By 0 – Fixing The Weakest Link

Looking back at 2020 I think one lesson I read this day last year still rings so true. 

Consider the difference between these two simple math problems: 

• 5 + 0 = 5 
• 5 x 0 = 0 

There is a huge difference between additive and multiplicative equations. Zero literally has no impact in an additive equation. Five plus zero is still five. However, it has absolute impact in multiplicative equations. Five times zero is zero. 

Why does this matter? Because in life some situations are multiplicative, and others are additive. We just need to realise which is which. And that can be all the difference between success and failure. 

Consider you are writing an application for a grant. The quality of the application obviously matters. A blank piece of paper is useless. But once you have completed the application correctly, a small mistake on the paper is not necessarily a sign that it is time to throw up your hands and admit defeat. It may just be an additive zero. The mistake won’t help the application but it won’t harm either. It is plus zero. 

What about the application deadline. If you spend hours drafting and redrafting an incredible application, but miss the deadline, then your work was in vain. The application deadline became a zero. It can be a perfect presentation but if it is too late it will be a multiplicative zero. 

Or: you can have everything working for you in life — a great education, an excellent resume, and an impressive background — but none of that matters if you can’t deal with other people. That is x 0. 

Or: your company might seem impressive — large offices, fancy systems, plenty of employees, and a great product or service — but it’ll still struggle to be profitable if your customer service is terrible. That again is x 0. 

It is true, 2020 has been a perplexing year for so many of us. Sickness, loss of income, lack of routine amongst so much else. But for most of us, thank God we are still here. Healthy, intact and well. 

Yes it was challenging. Of course it was. No set back ‘helped’ our year.

But was each hurdle x 0 or was it just + 0? 

So often in life, we may suffer a setback in a plan we have. We give up immediately and start something else. But surely, we ought to stop a moment and analyse the problem. It may just have been a +0. Not ideal of course, but not one that requires major correction. 

The key in life is often in determining which situations are additive, which are multiplicative, and acting accordingly.

Wishing one and all a Healthy Happy and Multiplicative 2021.