Education Matters US

The Danger of the Easy
by Michael Cloud c 2006

In the last few weeks, you probably read an inspiring and moving pro-liberty essay. You know several friends and family members who would be receptive to it. It would have taken just moments to email forward it.

But you didn’t.

In the last few months, you probably went to a social event where a few people complained about Big Government. They sounded open to small government ideas. It would have taken you less than 3 minutes to find out how responsive they were to our ideas.

But you didn’t.

In the last few years, you received numerous letters from small government and tax-cutting organizations. They told you what they are doing to reduce taxes and roll back Big Government, how it will benefit you and those you love, and then asked you to help. It would have taken you just minutes to make an affordable donation to help with their work.

But you didn’t.

Why?

Because each thing was easy.

“What’s easy to do — is easy NOT to do,” wrote Jim Rohn.

It’s easy to email forward that persuasive small government essay. It’s easy NOT to forward it.

It’s easy to ask the people at the social event whether they’d like to hear some ideas on cutting Big Government down to size. It’s easy NOT to ask.

It’s easy to make an affordable donation to that deserving organization that asked you to help. It’s easy NOT to give them a hand.

But there’s more to Jim Rohn’s elegant insight.

What’s easy to begin — is easy NOT to begin.

It’s easy to begin reading your copy of “Economics In One Lesson” by Henry Hazlitt or “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat. It’s easy NOT to begin.

It’s easy to begin practicing communication tips and techniques from my “Persuasion Power Points” Column. It’s easy NOT to begin.

What’s easy to stop — is easy NOT to stop.

It’s easy to turn off the TV after your favorite program. It’s easy NOT to turn it off.

It’s easy to stop going to your favorite bar after work — and go home to your spouse and kids. It’s easy NOT to stop.

What can be done anytime — can be NOT done anytime. Can be left undone again and again and again.

“What’s easy to do — is easy NOT to do.”

It’s a tempting and seductive siren call. One that beckons us every day and week and month.

But there are ways over, under, around, and through the danger of the easy.

1. Do it now. Strike when the iron is hot. As soon as the “easy-to-do” thought occurs to you, do it. Don’t deliberate. Do it. Don’t put it off for another time. Do it. It’s easy. Do it now.

2. Do it first. Life is priorities. Do 2 easy things to advance liberty before you do hard stuff.

3. Do it daily. Put 2 easy things on your “To Do” list each day. Do them each day.

4. Log it daily. Write down your easy deeds each day. Every day. At the same time. So it will become a habit. Simply recording these “easy-to-do” things will help transform them into enjoyable and effective action habits.

That’s all it takes. Easy, isn’t it?

“What’s easy to do — is easy NOT to do,” wrote Jim Rohn.

Doing the easy is relentless and reliable. It is the effortless, enjoyable, and effective personal path to small government, much lower taxes, and freedom.