Ch. 2: Doing Hard Things with Ease

The possibility of creating both inner & outer shifts

When people decide they want to be more “disciplined,” or procrastinate less, or get better at facing their resistance and the things they’re avoiding … they usually turn to one of a few things:

• Find a better system for managing tasks

• Create accountability or structure for more focus

• Get better organized

• Work harder

What you’ll notice is that these are all external changes. But without the necessary internal shifts, the external changes will usually fall short, because the thing that’s really getting in the way is pretty much always internal. Both shifts are needed — the external along with the internal.

We’ll talk about those internal blockers in the next chapter … for now, I’d like you simply to imagine the possibility of creating an inner sense of ease, no matter how difficult the task.

Imagine that you could thrive in a chaotic work environment, without letting it get you completely frazzled or drained.

Or that you could face your scariest tasks with a sense of openness, even wonder, maybe even play and joy.

Imagine that you took your task list for today and worked through it, one thing at a time, in a way that feels meditative and satisfying.

Or that you could have difficult conversations with an open heart, letting yourself listen and be vulnerable while standing in what’s true for you.

What would it be like to take on the hardest tasks with a sense of empowerment, curiosity, and calm?

This is the possibility that we’re exploring in this book.

This is the internal shift we’re creating, the Zen of Doing.

How We’ll Create This

In the next chapter, we’ll explore the inner blockers that make everything so difficult, overwhelming, draining, and stressful. We’ll see how these will doom any productivity system or tool that only focuses on the external.

We’ll look at how to shift these internal blockers and create powerful internal shifts.

We’ll also look at simple methods for creating focus, organization, and a calm way of working and living.

We’ll also share some simple mindset shifts that will make you feel more empowered.

And finally, we’ll talk about how to train ourselves in these internal shifts.

In each chapter, I’ll also give you an exercise to practice that will help you to actually create this in your life. I highly, highly recommend you take the exercises seriously, and actually practice them.

Today’s Exercise: Imagine Doing with Ease

This is a visualization exercise that I recommend you do every day. It should only take a minute or two, though you can do it for a bit longer if you like!

Here’s how to do it:

• Sit somewhere in stillness, in a place you can have some quiet for a minute or two.

• Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths to relax yourself.

• Visualize yourself working, but doing it with a sense of calm. Imagine that the actions you take are meditative and peaceful. Your workspace is clear and minimalist. You do each task with a sense of ease.

• Let this be a relaxing scene. Feel how ease feels to you as you visualize this scene.

• Close with a little prayer: “May I have ease today. May I act with a sense of calm.”

Note: Prayer is an act of asking for what we want. You’re not required to have any specific religious or spiritual beliefs, or to have any at all, in order to pray.

Also note that your scene will likely change over time. Let it be whatever you feel like visualizing that day.

Enjoy this practice!