Decisions, decisions.
We recently came to this conclusion: "if we can reduce the amount of decisions we make... we can increase our willpower." If we get our hands dirty and break down how we can actually and reasonably do this, we find the answer is a simple but often a misunderstood concept - routine. My favorite definition of routine is an activity "performed as part of a regular procedure rather than for a special reason."
You are probably thinking 'routines are boring and leave life unfulfilling.. shouldn't we be spontaneous!?' But honestly, on an average day, what in your life can truly be spontaneous? How often can you break certain schedules? (ie. what time you have to be at school or work) So why not go ahead and 'monotonize' the things that are indeed monotonous and force them into a routine or disciplined habit. Then, if done right, they no longer require thinking or large amounts of motivation to accomplish. Thus, we eliminate the need for decisions for these things altogether and open our mental energy or willpower to make the decisions we actually want to make and end up opening the door for more spontaneity.
Let's use our 'radically minimalist' founder as an example. Below is her list of things she decided to make routine or habitualize (you like that word eh!!?)
when I will wake up every day
when I will eat breakfast every day
when I will eat lunch
when I will eat cook/dinner
when I will walk my dog
when I will study
when I will go to bed each night
when I will clean the house each week
when I will prep and do my grocery shopping each week
when I will run my errands each week
Remember, there will always be exceptions, but a good routine should be something that can be followed a strong majority of the time. So, when you look at her list, you can easily notice there isn't anything too exciting on it and that's exactly the point. If she can make these monotonous (for the most part) decisions upfront, then during the day she's freed her to bug us all day with innovative ideas for our team.
When we can put a similar plan into practice, we find don't have to worry about the elementary things of life distracting us from the now. We don't have to think about when I will eat dinner because w already made that decision a long time ago. We don't have to think about if our dog is getting enough exercise because we know its established in our routine. We don't have to get in the habit of running to the store every day (a complete lack of efficiency) because we have a schedule for doing that.
Our minds are freed to positively engage with our colleagues, dedicating attention in meetings and interactions, enhancing forward-thinking and problem-solving, a pattern of innovative creativity. As that cliche saying goes, with practice and consistency, it can literally mean working smarter, not harder.