In chemistry, the amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction is called activation energy. Sometimes the amount of required energy is really high, and sometimes it’s really low. There are ways to lower activation energy and help a reaction start faster. For example, most reactions in the body require energy to begin, so the body uses enzymes to kick-start them. Enzymes are a catalyst, a compound that lowers the amount of activation energy needed to start a reaction. This allows the reaction to happen faster and under conditions that it wouldn’t usually occur.

We can use this idea of activation energy and catalysts to support our everyday lives. For example, want to start a new exercise routine at 5am? Think about what you can do to make getting up and starting that new habit easier. You could lay your workout clothes out the night before and fill a bottle of water to drink. This way, you can get up, get dressed, and be ready to begin your routine. You could purchase a coffee maker and set it to start brewing that first cup of the morning before your alarm goes off. This way, you can have your first cup of coffee before your workout with Jane Fonda. These are all catalysts because they lower the amount of energy you need to do the thing you want to do at 5am.

Lowering the activation energy (i.e., making it easier to start something) increases your motivation to do the thing. If your clothes are already laid out and a bottle of water is waiting for you, it’s harder to rationalize your way out of working out. You’ve already put some work into the habit. If you wake up to a freshly-brewed cup of coffee, you have that glorious smell to pull you from sleep and help you wake up before you do the thing. No need to wait for the coffee to brew and miss your opportunity to exercise. It’s ready for you when you wake up.

I do many things to lower the activation energy in my life.

1. I purchased a memory foam seat for my bike. My butt is older than it used to be and less tolerant of the more rigid seat on my bike. I purchased a memory foam cover to make my riding softer and easier on my gluteus maximus. I ride my bike more now because my butt hurts less. I no longer put energy into that uncomfortable situation and quit avoiding riding my bike.
2. At the end of each day, I think about what I need to accomplish the next day and make a plan. I list my to-dos on paper and block off time in my calendar to do that work. I also take a few minutes the next morning to ensure the plan will still work. We all live busy lives, and sometimes things can change overnight. Since I have a plan and a focus for the day, I know where to start and what to do.
3. I eat my frog first thing in the morning whenever possible. This way, I don’t spend energy dreading that thing during the day because I’ve already done it.
4. I set a time limit on some of the tasks I do. For example, I really dislike cleaning my house. So, I set a timer for 30 minutes or an hour. I do as much as I can in that time. When the timer is up, I finish my task and am done for the day. It makes it easier because I know I am only cleaning for a set amount of time rather than trying to speed through a to-do list. Often, I find that I can complete more in that hour than if I focused on crossing off items on a list. Plus, I feel terrific looking at my clean kitchen.

How can you lower the activation energy in your life? How can you do that thing you’ve been talking about? How can you support yourself in making your life what you want it to be? There is no right or wrong way to do it. Experiment with different ideas and do what works for you.

I wish you good luck with your experiment. May your life be full of catalysts.