A New Question
When faced with something that feels hard or overwhelming, I’ve long been a fan of asking the question: “What would this look like if it were easy?”
By switching the focus from the thing being hard to the possibility that it could be made easy, we’re turning confirmation bias into our friend. When we specifically are looking for something to be easy, we usually see how that can be made true. It also can help unlock creativity in breaking down something into smaller pieces, and help find solutions that may not have been obvious when we were looking at it from a place of overwhelm.
But lately, I’ve found a new question that’s creating some interesting results.
Instead of asking “What would this look like if it were easy?”, I’m asking myself: “What would this look like if it were fun?”
It’s been a game changer in opening up new ideas for how to approach something that feels daunting.
Here are a few examples:
When I’m thinking about how to make an exercise routine easy, I pre-plan so I don’t need to make a decision about what workout to do when I’m tired. I lay out my clothes and equipment in advance, set a timer so that I remember to stop what I’m doing in time to get my workout in, or make plans to meet up with a friend and accountability partner.
When I’m looking at it through the lens of fun, I’m saving the bing-worthy content for just while I’m on the stationary bike or treadmill. I’m exploring a new trail, or adding in a new modality.
When I’m thinking about my email inbox with a lens of “easy”, I batch emails together to reduce context switching, start with the ones I can read and file before moving on to more involved messages, or invite someone to hop into a conversation rather than try to craft a perfect message.
When I’m using the lens of “fun”, I start with the people I’m most excited about interacting with, taking a moment to think about why I light up at the thought of connecting with them. I’m taking my laptop outside where I can enjoy a little sun and a pretty view. I’m playing music that puts me in a happy mood.
The next time you’re facing something that feels hard or overwhelming, I encourage you to explore both of these questions.
What would it look like if it were easy?
What would it look like if it were fun?
June 25, 2026
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
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