A Simple Life Enables Complicated Work

A few months ago, I was on a walk with a good friend and mentor at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We caught up for a while, enjoying the brisk morning, before planting our feet near a fountain where I asked him what enabled him to do his work at such a high level. 

A field trip of cheerful children marched by, and he smiled at each one of them, then looked at the ground before replying, "The practices. For me, it's all about coming back to the simple practices."

I inquired further about his practices and he shared the importance of his morning meditation, returning to his breath throughout the day, visualizing what he intended for certain situations, fully being with whoever he was with, eating well, and listening to his body. 

The practices.

He's fond of saying, "We become who we practice being," which is a phrase I speak silently to myself more than any other. 

I'm at my best when I can remember it's the small and simple decisions I make minute-by-minute that add up to the person I am becoming.  

During this season of slowness there's been a chance to reflect on the practices which make up my life and time to understand which behaviors, mindsets and relational tendencies keep me most balanced and connected to each moment. 

One point of clarity came recently as I decided to tackle a large writing project - larger than anything I've taken on to date. I spent weeks considering all the challenges, working to tweak my systems and get my calendar just right. Next thing I knew, almost a month had passed and I had only written 1,000 words despite all of my important planning.

Because the challenge in front of me seemed complicated, I believed I would only make progress if my approach matched the perceived difficulty of the work to be done. 

How often do we assume our ability to do something challenging and complicated requires us to increase the complexity of our lives?

Truly, sometimes innovative solutions require a deep technical understanding of a subject matter or a refined skillset; yet, more often than we're aware, it is our belief the work is complicated which deals the heavy blows. We fear the size of a beast we've never actually laid eyes on. Steven Pressfield calls this early intimidation plaguing any artist, activist, entrepreneur or athlete who wants to do something consequential: The Resistance. 

Our belief something is complicated is the very reason it's complicated. 

I'm convinced it is a person who maintains a simple life, filled with simple practices, who is most capable of mounting an effective attack against The Resistance and an irrational fear of labyrinthine endeavors. 

The important truth we must internalize, if we are to grow in our ability to participate and contribute at higher levels, is this:

Our internal lives do not need to mirror the external circumstances we are experiencing. 

We can learn to be calm in spirit as we weather the storm.  

We can become aware of the temptation to meet complicated conditions with internal unrest, and we can learn not to lose ourselves.

We can remember simplicity shines a light on the answers hidden in the tall grass of complexity.

I’ve been able to make more progress on my writing project than I ever though possible by prioritizing morning meditation, journaling daily, afternoon walks, avoiding my email inbox at all costs and pausing throughout the day to be grateful.

What practices enable you to demystify the challenges in front of you?

If you find yourself constructing an internal Rube Goldberg machine to combat the intimidating action items on your list, consider instead which cornerstone practices enable you to have peace of mind, remain focused, and maintain clarity on what really matters.

We become who we practice being.