Here is a (likely unpopular) statement for you to ponder:  I think we need more inconvenience in our lives.  That’s right; I’m advocating that we need to make some stuff harder for us.  Or more specifically, we need to practice doing the difficult thing, rather than always taking the easy way out.  The areas in which we have the most convenience are the places where we need the most growth.

Think about it—we don’t learn or grow when it’s summertime and the livin’ is easy.  Doing the right thing is usually inconvenient.  But we must look to the payoff down the road rather than visit the house of instant gratification that lives on easy street.

This holds true for taking care of your physical health (exercising and eating right rather than inactivity and junk food), mental discipline (challenging reading and puzzles rather than TV and surfing the net), and interpersonal relationships (helping others and being real rather than superficial texting and posturing on social media).

I read an article from Forbes magazine that stated only 20% of obese Americans are poor; it’s not cheap food that makes us unhealthy, it’s convenience.  It went on to say that 80% of low income people cook at home five nights a week.  By contrast, middle income people are the most overweight and eat fast food more frequently than any other group.

Something that baffles me is the prevalence in recent years of reminder calls, such as for doctor’s appointments.  It didn’t used to be that way; you were expected to be responsible enough to write it in your calendar, and you were held accountable for that time slot.

Along the lines of “I can’t be bothered” is the fact that we can’t even manage to open milk cartons the right way.  Apparently that’s too difficult for most Americans, so now we have a plastic spout built into the side of the carton?  Really, how lazy can you get?

As a result of this mindset, we don’t know how to do many practical things, like read maps (just rely on Google), fix stuff (easier to just throw away and replace), do math (use a calculator), or spell. (Autocorrect to the rescue!  Or not, based on the variety of websites for hilarious autocorrect mishaps.)

Much of this penchant for convenience falls under the umbrella of First World Problems.  They didn’t use almond milk in your latte?  You have to wait in line?  Your dishwasher left spots on your drinking glasses?  How about you have some cheese with that whine.  Let me dial whine-one-one and call you a waahmbulance.

The good news is that we can change.  I’ve been reading a lot about habits lately, and the consensus is that creating a positive routine is much like building a muscle.  Every time you decide in favor of a healthy choice, you strengthen that pathway in your brain.  It’s CrossFit for your mind!

You can find some interesting ways to give yourself a kick start.  Announce an intention for a lifestyle change to your family so they can give you a hard time if you’re not working toward your goal.  Or, write a check to an organization that you hate, and give it to a friend.  Instruct them that if you don’t hit your target within your timeframe then they are to mail it in.  That should get you motivated! 

You could make a fun game out of your life improvement goals.  With a bit of creativity you can resist the inertia of convenience, transform yourself for the better, and serve as an inspiration to those around you.