Low-hanging fruit.

Image from clarknikdelpowell.com

We have Mother Nature to thank for the expression “low-hanging fruit.” A fruit-bearing tree often contains some branches low enough for animals and humans to reach without much effort. The fruit contained on these lower branches may be not be as ripe or attractive as the fruit on higher limbs, but it is usually more abundant and easier to harvest. From this we get the popular expression, which generally means selecting the easiest targets with the least amount of effort. The picker understands how low the quality of the fruit can be and picks it anyway. – WiseGeek

Image from boostsuite.com

It surprises me when people settle for low-hanging fruit, let alone what’s already fallen and lying on the ground. Most people have some sort of taste or discernment or purpose, but surprisingly they accede to significantly less than they might acquire with a little more time and effort. Perhaps they don’t believe there’s anything better than what’s already within reach. Or they realize there’s something much better, but don’t believe they deserve it. Or they’re simply disinterested in quality and it’s just an interchangeable commodity to them, whatever it is.

Not long ago I re-discovered that low-hanging, easy-to-reach rewards are always a disappointment. They’re not good enough for me anymore: I’m going to do without them. The better stuff requires effort and risk, but it’s far superior to what’s within easy grasp.