Buzz
Fans of productivity expert Tim Ferriss may recognize his transformative question, 'How would this appear if it were simple?'
As highlighted in his book Tribe of Mentors:
'How would this look if it were easy?' is a powerful and subtly impactful question. It’s common to believe that tasks must be difficult, and that without pushing yourself to the limit, you’re not putting in enough effort. This mindset often leads us to choose the most challenging routes, adding unnecessary complexity.
What if we approach tasks with a focus on simplicity rather than struggle? Often, we achieve remarkable outcomes effortlessly rather than through stress. At times, the solution lies in reimagining the problem entirely.
At Money.com, Nina Semczuk shares how she integrated this mindset into her routine and introduced her own twist: 'How can I make this enjoyable?'
Semczuk transformed the mundane task of an oil change and tire rotation into an activity she eagerly anticipated. Here's how she did it:
To simplify my car maintenance errand, I chose the most flexible day, even though it was a Saturday—a day I typically avoid for chores.
To add an element of fun, I thought about my favorite weekend activities. I love starting my weekends early and spending time outdoors. How could I incorporate that into this necessary task? I discovered a Mavis service station near one of my preferred bike trails in a nearby town. I then reached out to a friend I hadn’t seen in nearly a year and planned a biking outing. Suddenly, the tedious errand had a purpose: reconnecting with a friend and enjoying my favorite trail.
Many of us already apply this approach in our daily lives—listening to podcasts while washing dishes or watching a movie while folding a mountain of laundry. However, some tasks are tougher to make enjoyable (like passport photo renewals—my only idea is wearing my favorite shirt, which might lose its charm after seeing how awful the photos turn out).
Additionally, when juggling errands with kids, you need to find ways to make the activity enjoyable for everyone involved.
What stands out is how Semczuk envisions her ideal weekend—starting early and spending time outdoors—and then structures her car maintenance around those priorities.
The real key might lie in how you organize your chores around the lifestyle you aspire to, rather than focusing solely on what you do during them (let’s face it, most of the time it’s just listening to podcasts).
After all, you’ll never reach the end of your to-do list and think, 'Now I can finally enjoy weekends outdoors with the people I love.'
Therefore, it makes sense to prioritize what truly matters and arrange your tasks and chores to align with those priorities.
While doing so, consider whether there’s a way to inject a bit of enjoyment into those tasks.
For more insights on mental health and online therapy, explore content from G/O Media’s partner
Mytour does not contribute to the creation of these articles but may earn a commission from purchases made through its content:
