Hey friends,
Using willpower and motivation to get things done might be a good strategy, but we can't always rely on them to get things done. Willpower is a finite resource, and when we have used it for some times, it can wear out. Motivation, on the other hand, is a feeling, and it comes and goes. Another strategy we can use to get things done is by designing our environment to encourage us to do the things we want to do.
Every action requires a certain amount of energy. The more energy required, the less likely it is to occur. Our brain is wired to conserve energy whenever possible. As humans, we tend to follow the path of least resistance. When choosing between options, we tend to choose the option that requires the least amount of work. If we look around us, most of the habits we have cultivated over time can be performed with almost no effort. These habits include scrolling on our phones, watching TV, etc.
To do the things we have rationally decided to do, we can redesign our environment so that the things we want to do, require less effort, and the things we don't want to do, require more effort. For example, if you want to read more books, place the book you want to read beside your bed or on your desk. So that the book is always in sight. If you don't want to get distracted when working, you can keep your phone in flight mode and place it in another room.
We need to live and work in environments that are filled with productive cues and devoid of unproductive ones. The idea is to create an environment where doing the right things is as easy as possible. So that in the days we have little or no willpower or motivation, we already have many things working in our favour to get things done.
Have a great week!
Daniel
My Favourite Things This Week
1 - Article - In this article by Seth Godin, he shared the difference between an amateur, a professional, and a hack. He highlighted the difference between them has little to do with skill and a lot to do with resolve and intent.
2 - YouTube - I had a lot of free time this week. So, I binged-watched YouTube videos. I found this video about learning how to drive a double-decker bus interesting. The video has two inspiring stories of people that learnt how to drive the double-decker bus. Watch the video here.
Quote of the Week
Your outcomes are a lagging measure of your habits. Your net worth is a lagging measure of your financial habits. Your weight is a lagging measure of your eating habits. Your knowledge is a lagging measure of your learning habits. Your clutter is a lagging measure of your cleaning habits. You get what you repeat.
From Atomic Habits By James Clear. Resurfaced with Readwise.