Hi, yesterday we considered how repeated inputs
shape our attention. Suppose we recognize an
input that does not help us. So we decide to
spend less time scrolling and we decide to read
more carefully or we decide to pay more attention
to the people around us. So then why do we still
struggle to follow that decision? Well, sometimes
we often assume we lack willpower. We tell ourselves
to become more disciplined, more focused, and
more motivated. But sometimes one small obstacle
makes the better choice harder than it needs
to be. In computer programming, a bottleneck
is the part of the system that slows everything
else down. We can improve every other part, but
we will make little progress if we ignore that
one obstacle. But we also have bottlenecks in
our daily routines. I have a bookshelf full of
books I want to read. But until I put reading
books on my calendar, I likely will not get to
them. Sometimes changing habits just require
a change in a small detail. And there are two
ways we can improve our habits by noticing these
details. First, we can remove friction from something
we want to encourage. So we can place a book
where we usually leave our phone or put on our
calendar it's time to read books. Or we can prepare
tomorrow's lunch tonight. We can schedule a conversation
instead of hoping the right moment will appear.
And then second, we can add friction to something
that we want to do less often. So we can turn
off a notification. We can move an application
off the home screen. Or we can keep distractions
outside of the room where we want to concentrate.
Sure, we cannot remove every difficulty from
life. And some meaningful actions remain difficult
even under ideal conditions. Like caring for
someone or keeping a commitment. All those things
still require courage. But if we face the same
obstacles every day, maybe it's not so much about
courage as it is about removing the obstacle.
All of this reminds me of one of my favorite
children's stories from Frog and Toad. They could
not stop eating cookies. They wanted more willpower.
They did not have it. So they had to find a way
to hide the cookie jar. So we can arrange our
surroundings to support that person we want to
become rather than allowing them to pull us repeatedly
in another direction. So today, think of something
modest that you generally want to do more consistently.
And then ask, what small and reoccurring obstacle
makes this more difficult than it needs to be?
Could you change your surroundings rather than
relying entirely on willpower? Now, do not think
too big here. Simply remove one obstacle or prepare
one next step or place one helpful reminder where
you will see it. Consider a small change. Now,
it cannot guarantee that we will choose the meaningful
path, but it can make that path easier to follow.