Climbing to the top

Ever feel like you are never going to get to the top? I once went hiking with close friends to see some waterfalls in the North Carolina mountains and suggested a shortcut to get back to our car. Little did I know that the alternate route was shorter due to going nearly straight UP the mountain instead of the longer but easier trail. I shot this picture on the incredibly steep path.
Sometimes we make decisions in an effort to reach a goal quickly. It may be related to dealing with our finances, relationships, or emotions. Often, decisions made to save us some time or pain create more problems than we anticipated. Our desire to take shortcuts can lead us uphill to a destination that can be reached by a slower path. For example, taking a drink of alcohol will often blunt painful emotions; however, when the effects wear off we often return to the emotional pain and sometimes an addiction or hangover. Our “shortcuts” often keep us moving in circles and can also end in disaster, such as ruined relationships or serious health problems.
Working through our problems can give us strength and new skills which will equip us to handle new situations with confidence in the future. Learning to breathe deeply to calm ourselves can give us the clarity of mind to problem-solve, which can lead to better relationships, as opposed to screaming at someone to change their behavior, which will lead to emotional distance.
So, what shortcuts do you take to get to your goals? Any of those paths leading you to more problems? What is the slower route that you might need to take?