In electrical systems or motors, peak performance is achieved by reducing interference. That is, to reduce friction.
In electricity, voltage and current align by peaks and valleys syncing together. Interference is a misalignment where they end up fighting each other.
However, we do not always want peak power immediately, so by intentional misalignment, you can create a “soft start” before ramping up to peak power. We intentionally introduce friction at the beginning.
Psychologically, we often say we want smooth-functioning non-interference and contentment as fulfillment or happiness. But this pushes us to desire non-interference (no friction) rather than peak performance (productive goals.) It fails to overcome the early “interference” for more significant later benefits.
This derives from a slippery reversal: reducing all friction is very efficient -perfectly aligned- but is entropic. This path lowers peaks and valleys to a flatline existence: no goal means no failure, but also there is no longer voltage or current.
A misunderstanding is at play: Our rational brains substitute more frictionless concepts during the initial misalignment, allowing us to reframe our goal as a symptom. Achieving the symptom is easier than curing the problem or achieving the goal.
“Contentment” and “efficiency” may come from optimizing performance, but first you must struggle (encounter friction on your path) toward a greater purpose.