Fast & Slow

A general “law of least effort” applies to cognitive as well as physical exertion. The law asserts that if there are several ways of achieving the same goal, people will eventually gravitate to the least demanding course of action.

– Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow.

That's right, friend, you're not lazy, it's literally a law.

I recently revisited Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow, reflecting on his point that “in the economy of action, effort is a cost”. In other words, effort — either cognitive or physical — is the expenditure for getting what we want.

Effort, like any cost, can feel like a burden if the demand is high, leading to feeling overloaded and weighted down. On the flipside nothing good comes without a cost, so where does that leave us?

Speaking as someone who has to turn down the radio when I pull into a parking garage, I understand the need to limit resources in one area of life in order to focus on another.

What I would like to know is, when it comes to personal capital like time and energy, where are you spending the bulk of yours, and is it paying off? Are you in control of how that time and energy is spent, or are you responding to what's happening around you? Who's in control?

As your coach, it's my job to help you help you manage your performance across those important areas of everyday life. This includes career, family, personal interests, and even hobbies. All require effort, would you agree? This means all come at a cost, so let me help you decide what that cost is for you, and how want to allocate those funds.

Ready to get started? Please excuse me for just a second, I need to turn down the radio.

Cornflower Blue

The sky today was cornflower blue. Set against mountains that were recently peppered with snow, and with the sun doing its part to keep everything bright, it made for a beautiful day.

When Geoff and I lived in Hong Kong, far from the snow-capped mountains I look out at now, I was a frequent and regular client at a nearby nail salon. For a brief stretch of time, I would ask Geoff what color I should get before heading out for my manicure, playing along as he blurted out colors that when I string them together now sound more like I'm describing a bruise than listing choices of nail lacquer.

Black, yellow, purple, blue. In retrospect, whether these were dares or actual suggestions is anyone's guess. But I said yes to them all, for better or for worse, because it felt fun and I knew better than to overthink nail polish.

These days I rarely bother getting manicures, having lost the patience required to sit still for that long without the use of my hands. But I'm reminded of that stretch of time when I outsourced my decisions on nail color, and how it was fun inviting Geoff into a decision that had little consequence or bearing for either of us, especially him, but nonetheless felt like a real decision. 

Let's think about that for a minute. How does adding or including stakeholders impact the stakes? 

As you consider your next personal or professional decision — moving house, retirement, enrolling in classes, stepping up in title or finishing that passion project — who are your stakeholders and how are you choosing to involve them? Are they sounding boards, advice givers or silent bystanders?

What is a time when you went outside of your comfort zone to involve someone in the decision or the decision-making process? Did it help or hinder your outcome?

As your coach, I may not be a direct stakeholder in your decision, but I am invested in your success. My role is to help you identify the people impacting your decisions as well as those impacted by your decisions, all so you can make better decisions and move forward in the direction you want. 

Walking Audrey today I thought about the last time I sought Geoff's input on nail polish, which I remember vividly because it turned out to be the same week he proposed marriage. It was a hot and humid August night in Hong Kong, and my nails were painted blue. Cornflower blue, in fact, just like the sky today. It was fun and once again I said yes, for better and for worse.