Make tomorrow easier

We all have a tendency to choose the path of least resistance, especially when we don’t have a clear idea of what we should be working on.

But the short-term, easy path is not always the best long-term strategy. Sometimes the wiser choice is to endure a more difficult or arduous path in the present, as it can ultimately result in a better outcome down the line.

Whatever seems easy in the moment makes the future harder and whatever seems hard in the moment makes the future easier.

Shane Parrish

By deliberately choosing the harder, more challenging options today, you can set yourself up for greater productivity, progress, and fulfilment in your academic work tomorrow. But how can you practically apply this principle of choosing the harder path to your own academic workflow and habits?

Here are some suggestions:

• Tackle your most difficult tasks first each day and don’t get distracted by easier, more pleasant work.
• Schedule regular deep work sessions to make progress on your most important, challenging projects.
• Break down big, daunting goals into smaller, actionable steps that you can chip away at consistently.
• Prioritize learning and skill development, even when it’s uncomfortable, over simply meeting deadlines.
• Be proactive about addressing problems, conflicts, or issues as soon as they arise, rather than procrastinating.

If you’re faced with a choice between doing the hard thing or the easy thing, ask “What will make tomorrow easier?”