Escaping local optimum
Why it's one of the biggest challenges in life and how to do it
As I was revisiting calculus, I stumbled upon two old friends: the concepts of local optimum and global optimum. Back in the day, I only encountered them when working through derivative formulas in uni. But now, they’re taking on a whole new meaning in my life.
In calculus, local optimum is a peak or valley within a limited range—it’s good, but not the best, which is the global optimum. In life, a local optimum is a spot that feels comfortable or was once the best choice, but loses its shine as new opportunities arise.
We've all been there—stuck in a comfortable plateau. Even the UK economy is caught in this trap. The Foundations policy paper (arguably the most influencial policy analysis in a decade) argues that the country once led the world in housing, energy, and transport infrastructure. Now, it’s lagging behind, unsure how to break free from its stagnation.
And that’s the real challenge: escaping the local optimum. Whether in careers, personal growth, or daily routines, moving beyond this “safe zone” can be one of the toughest obstacles we face.
I faced the local optimum dilemma in my last job at the NHS. It offered great work-life balance and friendly colleagues, but lacked the stimulation I had at the Behavioural Insights Team. I thought about leaving (and tried) but wasn’t desperate enough. The job was “comfortable enough,” and the alternatives (other offers back then) seemed no better. That’s the trap of a local optimum—you’re not motivated to leave because things aren’t bad, just not great.
This is where the danger lies. The comfort of a local optimum can slowly deteriorate, becoming less bearable over time. And if we’re not careful, we might find ourselves unprepared to escape when it becomes intolerable. By then, the gap to the next peak can feel even wider and more daunting. It certainly took me a long time to walk away in pursuit of the global optimum.
But it shouldn’t be that hard if we can borrow some concepts from optimisation in maths. I’ve picked three of my favourite strategies and let’s see how we can apply them in life.
1. Random restarts: changing the starting point
In optimization, a “random restart” means starting fresh from a different point to find a better solution. Life can work the same way. Moving to a new city, for example, can shake things up—for me, job opportunities in London are drastically different from those in Singapore! Changing the environment gives us the chance to explore new paths, meet new people, and tackle different challenges. Sometimes, hitting “restart” is exactly what brings us closer to the "global optimum."
2. Perturbation: making small, strategic changes
In optimization, perturbation means making small tweaks to a solution to see if they lead to better outcomes. It shakes things up just enough to explore new possibilities. In life, it's about small, strategic changes that might lead to a breakthrough. For example, I like taking crash courses on Coursera and Udacity to dip my toes into new fields. Feeling unfulfilled at work? Take on a side project, join a workshop, or seek mentorship (I’ve recently found a coach to help me feel the stones to cross the river as a working new mom). Progress doesn’t always need a grand overhaul—sometimes, it’s the small tweaks that lead to big shifts.
3. Momentum: pushing through small setbacks
In optimization, momentum helps algorithms push through small obstacles, gradually building speed even when the immediate gains are small or non-existent to reach the global optimum. In life, it's much the same—it’s about persistence and steady effort, even when progress feels slow or nonexistent. In fact, I restarted my blog to build momentum in writing — and writing motivates me to learn, which fulfills my basic need for intellectual stimulation.
Escaping a local optimum isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible.
It’s about knowing when to restart, when to tweak, and when to keep pushing forward. After all, life’s greatest achievements often begin with the courage to leave comfort behind. Good luck with your next move!