'Shortcuts make long delays’ - your startup fix to start the week

Monday March 25, 2019 , 4 min Read

Earthlings would need to have their heads buried in the sand not to have heard of Middle Earth. The fantasy land dreamt up by JRR Tolkien, the “father of modern fantasy” and author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has enthralled millions of readers over decades. But only the most devout fan would know that March 25 is celebrated as Tolkien Reading Day.

Started by the Tolkien Society on March 25, 2003, the day marks the “Downfall of Sauron” and is celebrated with book readings, discussions, and enactments. Sample these: “Not all those who wander are lost”, “Shortcuts make long delays”, and “You can only come to the morning through the shadows”.

Interestingly, Tolkien, who believed that “all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”, may have been detailing an entrepreneur’s journey when he wrote: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Inspiration enough to get going this Monday morning? If you need more, we have a stream of startup stories that will get you going.

After all, in Tolkien’s words: “It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.”

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