I think everyone would agree that we often “take the easy way out.” We “take the path of least resistance.” It’s human nature, isn’t it? I mean, what sense does it make to look for ways to make things more difficult for ourselves? Actually, in a flip-flop sort of way, it makes lots of sense. In his book “The Happiness Advantage,” Shawn Achor tells us why. He tells how he wanted to read more and watch TV less. Sounds like a good idea for all of us.

Every night when he got home from work, he’d flop into his favorite chair, grab the remote, and watch TV. It was the easiest thing to do; the path of least resistance.

So, he took the batteries out of the remote and put them in a drawer in another room. He put the book he wanted to read on the table next to his favorite chair. All of a sudden, reading the book was the easy way out, the path of least resistance!

Interesting, isn’t it, that we can achieve a goal simply by making it easier to achieve?

Here are some other ways this could work. I like to talk about my “calcium deficiency.” Every night, I need a dose of calcium, preferably chocolate/peanut swirl with some Hershey’s syrup. After all, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right? And nuts, a handful of nuts… they’re full of protein or something healthy, right? But I need to stop. I had to buy a new belt a couple months ago and I’ve already had to adjust one hole over. I attribute that to a lack of snow for skiing and maybe, just maybe, calcium overdose.

So, I’m going to put the calcium in the freezer in the basement and keep a bowl of fruit on the counter in the kitchen handy to where I sit a lot. I think that will be healthier. My calcium deficiency is self-diagnosed, but I did feel better when I tended to it. I’ll talk myself into believing I have a potassium deficiency and have a banana for my evening snack. See, the easier way out becomes the better idea so I’m more likely to do it.

In a more serious vein, suppose you’re struggling in a relationship. Everything seems to turn into a major issue. The path of least resistance is avoiding the other person and talking to each other as little as possible. It’s the exact opposite of the relationship you want. And important things aren’t being handled, leading to even more problems. Both people are very uncomfortable with this. So how might you flip that and make re-connecting the path of least resistance? (This assumes both people want to fix things….)

A possibility is coming up with a written list of issues that need attention and prioritize them. Add other issues and re-prioritize as needed. Agree to set aside a specific time and a specific amount of time to deal with such issues. Maybe every Wednesday evening right after Jeopardy. You pledge that that’s the special time to deal with difficult issues. You congratulate yourselves for taking such a constructive set.

Once this system becomes a habit, people can actually look forward to this problem-solving time because it becomes a habit and it is productive.

I’m so happy about this idea that I think I’ll reward myself with a dose of calcium! Nah… guess not… it’s all the way downstairs. I’ll just have a banana instead.