Ever notice how over time, it has become easier and easier to pay for things?
Back in the day, you only had two options - cash or check.
Then, there were debit cards. You didn't even need to see the money leave your account.
Or credit cards. You didn't even need to have the money to begin with.
But, then it got easier...
You could link your card with your phone, and just wave your phone over the reader.
Not comfortable with that? Now you can just tap your card on the reader. Thus, saving the previous effort of sticking the card into the slot.
The result of all these advances? People spend more money.
The levels of friction have been reduced to a minimum. Though, I'm betting one day it will be like Back to the Future II where just scan our thumbprints to pay for things.
Each step to pay for something can be considered a level of friction. Paying with cash has the most levels of friction.
Because it requires:
1. planning to spend money
2. going to the bank to get it first
3. making sure you have it with you when you go to the store
4. seeing your hard-earned dollars actually leave your wallet
You get the idea.
We experience the same thing in our artistic endeavors. The more levels of friction there are to do what we want to do, the harder it will be to do it.
Let's say you're a writer.
What happens if every time you want to write, you have to...
1. clean off your desk
2. turn on your computer
3. find where the heck you put your files and notes
4. make sure no one is going to bother you for the next 60 minutes?
How exciting will it be to sit and write every time?
Now, compare that to having your designated writing nook. Computer ready to go, with the exact folder you need for your writing front and center. And, everyone in the house knows that when you're there, you're not to be disturbed.
Fewer levels of friction. Much easier to do.
If you're struggling to practice, try to find ways to lower the levels of friction. It could be as simple as creating a welcoming workspace. Or it could be as complicated as creating a new workspace altogether.
But with every level of friction taken away, the more likely you'll do the thing.
And that's worth experimenting with.
