The Bald Man Paradox

Imagine a man with a full head of hair.

If you pluck one hair, he’s obviously not bald. If you pluck another hair — still not bald. Pluck a hundred hairs… still not bald.

Yet, it’s clear that if you keep on plucking hairs at some point he will be bald. But it’s never obvious when the shift from “not bald” to “bald” actually happens.

This is The Bald Man Paradox from the 4th-century Greek philosopher, Eubulides.

Most things in life follow this rather strange and vague continuum of change.

It’s not obvious how many gestures it takes before a friendship or loving relationship is minted, yet there’s no question that after a certain amount of effort and reciprocity, those things become true.

It’s not obvious at what point you become a respected colleague, yet if you keep your word enough times this is how you will likely be seen in the minds of those who work with you.

Transformation almost never has a defining moment. Rather, it’s the result of several relatively subtle inputs over a long period of time.

Instead of wondering or worrying when you will change, focus on putting one foot in front of the other in the direction you want to go.

Every day, do your best to be the kind of person you want to be for yourself and for other people.

This shift from striving to be that person to simply being that person will take care of itself.