Do what's inconvenient.

It's dawned on me that most worthwhile things are inconvenient. They require effort, a switch in routine, a putting yourself out there.

This is me swinging full force as a pendulum. I had a harsh realization: I've made many life decisions, big and small, based on their convenience. If it was easy, if it was nice — even if it wasn't what I really wanted — I'd be ok with it.

Convenience is not the same as flow. Sometimes life is easeful, almost like things are all piecing together in a beautiful way without you having to force anything. Let me be clear: that's not the convenience I'm talking about.

I'm speaking mostly to myself (and maybe to you if you resonate): small and big changes require effort that is uncomfortable and challenging. It may be convenient for me to continue in my career, even if it's making me unhappy. It's really inconvenient to have to look for new jobs or career paths — especially while juggling another one. It may be convenient to stay at home and read, even though you may really want to go out with friends. It's inconvenient to have to drive some distance to meet them, to do the planning, and all that stuff.

I've felt this most acutely with friends of mine who live in other cities. A friend of mine moved to Hawaii during the pandemic with an open invitation to visit. How many times have I gone in the past 5 or so years? Zero. Why? While I can collect a lot of reasons, let's just label it succinctly: it felt inconvenient. I'd have to plan. I'd have to find a time that works for my schedule. I'd have to take early morning meetings to keep working. I'd have to find a place to put my cars. I'd have to blah blah blah. But seriously: a bunch of minor inconveniences kept me from a week with friends in Hawaii with a free place to stay? That's nuts.

Going for what you really want is often inconvenient.

Of course there's a balance. We only have so much effort in us — and negotiating inconvenience can be draining. I get it. But for those of us who need to hear it: sometimes you gotta get off your butt and make moves. Even when it's a pain.

So here's my invitation: try something inconvenient today. Do something you want that may cause some annoyance in your daily flow. It's ok — it's just an exercise. Then ask yourself: was that bit of joy worth the extra hassle?

You may discover that, while our aversion to pain (inconvenience in this case) may feel like a big force, the joy on the other side may well exceed it.