What would be the EASIEST way to do this?

Have you ever tried to create the perfect habit… and ended up never getting started?

For a long time I wanted to add some strength training back into my life.

I know it’s important, I feel better when I do it, it feels good to feel stronger.

And yet for a long time I didn’t do it.

And then felt bad about not doing it.

And still didn’t do it.

When I stopped to work out what was getting in the way I realised it was my inner perfectionist getting very stressed about creating the perfect habit.

She sets a high bar, and was very keen that I got it absolutely right - no half measures!

Which left me going round in thought spirals, and feeling dispirited and slightly ridiculous - why on earth couldn’t I figure this out?

This could have gone on indefinitely, but one day I asked myself a better question… “What would be the easiest way to do this?”

The answer came straight away. Go to the Thursday morning strength class at the yoga studio I already go to.

So now I do. And I love it.

A brilliant instructor, a group of great women, a fabulous playlist (especially if you were a teenager in the late 80’s).

No more overthinking through options or choices.

No more needing to figure out and then hold myself to an impossible schedule.

I show up once a week and let someone else be in charge.

It’s heaven.

Of course, my inner perfectionist tells me it’s not enough - “It’s only once a week, what’s the point? Maybe it would be better if…” - and tries to take me into a thought spiral again.

But thank goodness another (wiser, kinder) part of me knows it’s a great move - much better than where I was, and probably all I need for now.

So, if your inner perfectionist is getting you stuck trying to work out the perfect solution, try asking yourself what the easiest option would be.

It won’t be perfect, and that’s absolutely fine. Perfect can (pretty much always) be an illusion that sets a bar too high to reach.

It will be a step forward, even a small one, and that’s absolutely fine too.

Maybe it will inspire more steps, and maybe it will be just enough on its own.

And if in doubt, add an eighties playlist :-)

Wishing you all a week of finding the easiest way to do things,