We love easy wins. A completed task feels satisfying, and our brain rewards us with a dopamine hit, but when most of our time is spent on simple tasks that we could do blindfolded, those “wins” become a comfort trap. The danger of always choosing the path of least resistance is that it numbs us to the discomfort required for meaningful progress.

High‑impact work rarely feels comfortable at first. Writing the first pages of a book, sending the outreach that might be rejected, or publishing a rough idea can trigger resistance. Yet these actions compound in ways that answering another email never will. When we stay in the easy zone, we trick ourselves into feeling productive without actually building momentum.

The paradox of easy wins is that they give us a false sense of progress. A to‑do list filled with trivial tasks can deceive us into believing we’re moving the needle. But as the weeks pass, we realise the projects that matter have barely advanced. The antidote is to reverse your default: do the hard thing first. Instead of clearing ten quick items, devote your prime energy to one high‑leverage move. The discomfort soon fades, replaced by the satisfaction of real progress.

You don’t need to eliminate all simple tasks. They can serve as warm‑ups or palate cleansers between deep work. But they should never dominate your day. Ask yourself: “Is this action moving me closer to my long‑term goal?” If the answer is no, consider whether it belongs in your morning routine at all. Growth lives on the edge of discomfort. Seek it, and you’ll build resilience along the way.