Reduce the Friction!

So, I read the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Atomic Habits by James Clear. I read it all, and it was great!

But if you asked me what I learned from that book, I could only tell you one thing!  Pathetic, right?  Only one thing out of a 300 page book??

Now, let me be clear (pardon the pun…) 

THAT. ONE. THING. has been HUGE for me!  

Here it is:

MAKE IT EASY!

In Chapter 12, of Atomic Habits, Clear teaches the concept of reducing friction.  When you want to create a good habit, you have to prime your environment so you can take the path of least resistance. You need to make it as easy as possible to do what you want to do.

I’ll give you a personal example.  

I want to write music every day. 

For me, that looks like sitting in the chair in my studio with a space heater at my feet, in front of my electronic keyboard, which is hooked up to my laptop, which is equipped with the composition software, which is hooked up to two monitors… Oh yes, and I have my reading glasses handy, and a blanket and a pencil and paper, just in case…

You get the idea.  There are parts and pieces, and if any one thing is not ready for me so I can just plop myself in my seat and start writing, it causes friction, and that makes it harder, and that makes it less enjoyable.  

And bottom line…

I’m less likely to do it!

I’ve learned to keep my writing area set up all the time.  When I know it’s ready and open for me, I’m naturally drawn there. 

There is nothing stopping me from starting!  No friction! Whoo hoo!

So, take a moment to think about YOUR creative work.  How can you reduce friction so it’s easier for you to GET TO IT?  

Email me back and tell me one way you are going to

REDUCE THE FRICTION

and

MAKE IT EASY!

Always love!

Andrea