When starting a new habit, routine, or project, it is essential to think about future maintenance costs. This means not only considering the initial effort or costs but also what is needed to sustain it in the long term. Just like a ship that requires regular maintenance to function well, habits and projects also need ongoing attention. For example, setting up a complex system to manage your tasks might seem useful at first. However, over time, maintenance tasks can accumulate, leaving you with less time for actual work.
It is important to realize that maintenance costs can add up. A small maintenance task might not seem like much, but having multiple such tasks can consume a significant amount of time and energy. This can lead to a situation where you spend more time maintaining your system than achieving your goals. Therefore, it is wise to choose simplicity and flexibility when establishing new habits or projects. Start small and only add complexity if truly necessary. This way, you keep maintenance costs manageable and can focus on what truly matters.
Related:
- Our go-to approach for problem-solving is to incorporate something new, rather than eliminate something existing
- Take the time before doing something you can’t undo
- Messy work environments have no effect on either creativity or executive functions
- Start with as little as possible and add complexity as you go
