Accept the Friction

By: Roger Creasy

Doing deep, important work is often difficult. Things get in the way. Things go wrong. Your ideas don't work out the way you expected.

I call these things that slow your progress "friction".

The key to managing friction is to expect it right from the planning stage. Do your best to think through what might cause friction. But, know from the start that you likely will not anticipate every friction point.

When friction rubs against your plans, view it as a speed bump, not a roadblock. Stay on the course of your plan. Adjust for the friction if needed. But, keep moving forward.