“Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.”

Jerzy Gregorek

This quote made me pause and reflect on the choices I make in my life. Do I make enough hard choices? Should I be making more hard choices?

Hard vs easy choices

I understand hard choices as being those things which are challenging to get motivated to do in the moment but pay off in the long run. They provide more satisfaction and wellbeing. For example: reading more books, learning how to cook, or getting up early to exercise in the mornings. 

Easy choices are those things which take little to no effort and are pleasurable in the short term but don’t help us much in the long run. They can even be detrimental to our happiness and health. For example, endless scrolling of social media, defaulting to junk food or binge-watching a TV series.

Hard choices are active and take work, whereas easy choices are often passive. They are easy because we don’t have to think much about them.

The choices you make compound over time. Some questions come to mind. What leads to a better life, easy choices or hard choices? Which choices are winning out? And where is it taking me? 

The hard choices stand out for me as more beneficial. But I know they can be tough to implement and stay motivated. It’s not as simple as it sounds… 

Visualise the future

I find it helpful to visualize and journal out different scenarios one, five or ten years out. This thinking can bring the consequences of those actions or inactions to life in the present and motivate me to get started.

Where will I be next year if I spend all my spare time on social media? Where will I be if I read one insightful non-fiction book a week? 

Where will I be in five years if I eat junk food most of the week? What about if I instead learnt how to cook delicious healthy meals? 

Who will I be in ten years if I stay up all night watching TV then sleep-in? Who will I be after ten years of getting up early and going for a run?

There will be profound differences my life outcomes over time by those choices. Consider the impacts on health, knowledge and wellbeing.

The easy choices are not necessarily bad. Sometimes they are what we most need when going through difficult times. But it’s essential to be mindful of what they are adding up to overtime and maintaining a balance aligned with our values and who we want to become.

Reflection

• What are some ‘hard choices’ I can make that will serve me better in the long run?
• What one choice can I commit to starting today?