In chemistry, there’s the idea of an activation cost. This is the threshold of energy you need to surpass to start a chemical reaction. Dynamite, for example, contains a lot of energy. But unless a spark or lit fuse pays the activation cost it won’t explode. Life also has activation costs. There are many pursuits […]
You’re Lazier Than You Think
Most people vastly overestimate their willpower. After four years of detailed feedback from readers on habit changes, I can come to no other conclusion. If willpower were cash, most people empty their wallets on the first day. Keeping this in mind, when I set the first 30 Day Trials for the group of students enrolled […]
Don’t Swim in the Shallow Waters
I used to work as a lifeguard at a swimming pool. One day, a small kid, maybe five or six years old, ran off straight into the deep end without a life jacket. He didn’t know how to swim, so one of the lifeguards had to dive in and scoop him up. No harm was […]
Goal Addiction
Last week, I wrote an article entitled, “Life Balance is Overrated”. In the article, I argued that short-term obsessions are more productive than trying to maintain balance. Accomplishing something important requires a complete focus, splitting your energies between several different areas at once wastes your time and finishes little. Although I got plenty of positive […]