The nature of challenge is twofold:
first, one has to choose and then to execute.

As mentioned in other writings there are basically three
approaches to choosing a challenge:

1. what your need to do
2. what you'd like to do
3. what you love to do

The daily practice following the choice can be done according personal preference and/or experience. Some feel more comfortable with mechanical repetition, routine and result. But quantifiable results are outweighed by the quality of deepening cultivation which requires a very different kind of care, just as cultivating some seeds that you have planted into the soil. Consequences of both approaches are significantly different.

The 'V' Factor

Let's create an analogy:
imagine a 'V', just like the letter. From the base upwards the originally unified lines are drifting apart the higher you go.

The Mechanical Line

If you see those lines as different ways with different qualities you can imagine how you add more weight to one or the other with each practice session. At the beginning with the lines still close together you may still switch from one side to the other. But eventually you will settle on one side simply because you have lost sight of the alternative. Also, the switch to the opposite has become too intense and complicated.

So now let us assume that the left line of the 'V' represents a mechanical approach to practice, while the right one is more organic, dynamic. The more you involve yourself in the left side, the more you tend towards repetition, towards routine, towards a set time and duration, towards a believe that simply repeating will get you somewhere. It's a drill. You also accept this as the only way to do something. It feels safe to you and the manner to reach your main goal, which is a positive result.

The Organic Line

Now, if you feel inclined towards the right side you are up to qualitative change involving reviewing your efforts, experimenting according to results, thinking about improvements in the practice itself, diving deeper and deeper into the issue at hand.  Because of the dynamic quality you enjoy finding things out about the issue of your challenge but also about yourself.

You feel comfortable with change, actually request it from a cultivating process. You stay alert and interested. There is a thread of continuity and intensity in your practice, a fulfilling quality while you go. Your intentions are your seeds. You see something growing. Therefore you have many intermediate 'results' and surprises on the way. Its a cultivating approach. And the celebration at the end is a new beginning.

The 'V' Factor In Other Applications

This vector analogy can also be applied to other processes, like relationships, your work or decisions you make in life. The most important element is the growing discrepancy of the two lines until it feels that a fruitful communication or a switch to the other side is impossible. Thus becoming more aware of your life with all its decisions is crucial. And if you don't want to stay at a place of insecurity you will have to make decisions. Which is not a bad thing and actually freeing.