I guess the "art" lies in quickly identifying where you can take the shortcut and where you shouldn't. The best way to see this is to look at a competitive environment where most people are just as qualified at achieving the result whether by the book or by cutting the occasional corner. You'll notice that what sets apart the best is that they seem to know exactly when to use each method. It's like a rally, some corners you can cut, some you can't. Knowing which is which will save you precious seconds.
I've seen people trying to do it exclusively by the book at all times and everything felt like a school bus in an F1 race. Yes they eventually finished but always guaranteed to be too late to be useful.
Far more rarely I've seen people trying to go the shortcut route exclusively. This has far worse results, like an F1 car trying to take kids to school. It might get there fast but sooner or later it will hit a wall. Evolution weeds out these cases a lot faster.
Comments
I guess the "art" lies in quickly identifying where you can take the shortcut and where you shouldn't. The best way to see this is to look at a competitive environment where most people are just as qualified at achieving the result whether by the book or by cutting the occasional corner. You'll notice that what sets apart the best is that they seem to know exactly when to use each method. It's like a rally, some corners you can cut, some you can't. Knowing which is which will save you precious seconds.
I've seen people trying to do it exclusively by the book at all times and everything felt like a school bus in an F1 race. Yes they eventually finished but always guaranteed to be too late to be useful.
Far more rarely I've seen people trying to go the shortcut route exclusively. This has far worse results, like an F1 car trying to take kids to school. It might get there fast but sooner or later it will hit a wall. Evolution weeds out these cases a lot faster.