If you’ve spent any time in the self-improvement world, you’ve probably heard the mantra: “Do the hard thing.” It’s a phrase that’s echoed in boardrooms, gyms, and self-help books alike. But as someone who’s not only written the book on habits—literally—but also lived the transformation from burnout to balance, I can tell you: this approach is incomplete. Recently, I sat down with Paul Levitin, host of the Change Made Easy Podcast and we had a conservation you won’t want to miss.

“Why ‘Doing the Hard Thing’ Is Overrated: Paul Levitin’s EASIER Way to Change” isn’t just a catchy podcast episode title; it’s a much-needed reframe for anyone tired of white-knuckling their way through change.

The Real Secret: Sustainable Change Isn’t About Suffering

Let’s be clear: grit and resilience matter, but glorifying struggle for its own sake is a recipe for burnout. In my own journey (and in the Higher Self Habits Method™ I teach), I’ve seen that lasting transformation comes from aligning your habits with your values, your identity, and your actual life—not from muscling through misery. When I sat down with Paul Levitin, it was refreshing to hear another coach echo what I’ve seen with my clients: the path to real change is about making it easier, not harder.

Paul’s EASIER framework—enthusiasm, availability, straightforwardness, imperfection, exponential benefits, and repeatability—aligns closely with the principles I lay out in my book. We both agree: consistency beats intensity, and small, repeatable actions are the true game-changers. As I write in Higher Self Habits®, “Being like the tortoise is how you become your Higher Self. It’s slow and steady, letting the compounding power of habits take you there slowly at first, then more rapidly as momentum builds.”

Why “Doing the Hard Thing” Is Overrated

The all-or-nothing, perfectionist mindset is the Achilles heel of so many high achievers—especially women. We’re conditioned to believe that if it isn’t hard, it doesn’t count. But neuroscience, behavioral science, and lived experience all say otherwise.

Paul and I both challenge the myth that you have to suffer to succeed. Instead, we advocate for designing habits that fit your real life, embracing imperfection, and celebrating small wins. “Complexity is the killer of dreams,” Paul said on the podcast—a sentiment I echo in my own work. When you keep things simple, proactive, and aligned with your true priorities, you create the conditions for exponential growth.

Key Takeaways for Real Habit Change

Here’s what actually works—whether you’re following my Higher Self Habits Method™, Paul’s EASIER framework, or any evidence-based approach:

• Start with intention and identity. Who do you want to become? Let that vision guide your habits.
• Embrace the slow and steady strategy. Small, consistent actions compound into massive results.
• Ditch perfectionism. All-or-nothing thinking is the enemy of progress.
• Keep it simple and straightforward. Confused people do nothing; clarity is your best friend.
• Celebrate every win. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
• Design for sustainability. If you can’t see yourself doing it for years, it’s not the right habit.

Authority, Alignment, and Action

I’ve walked this path myself: from corporate burnout to entrepreneurship, from self-judgment to self-compassion, from chasing quick fixes to building a life of aligned, sustainable habits. My approach blends science, strategy, and soul—because true transformation requires all three. If you’re tired of the “grind harder” narrative and ready for a more holistic, human approach to change, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re a high-achiever, a recovering perfectionist, or simply someone who wants to live with more intention and joy, the message is clear: you don’t have to do the hardest thing. You have to do the right thing, consistently, with compassion and clarity.

Listen to Episode 192

Paul Levitin brings a wealth of insight and practical wisdom to the conversation, drawing from his own journey and the EASIER framework he’s developed to help people create lasting change. In this episode, Paul shares candid stories about overcoming self-doubt, reframing failure, and the real-life challenges of building new habits. His approach is refreshingly honest and actionable, offering listeners both inspiration and concrete steps to move forward. Don’t miss this engaging discussion—tune in now via Apple or Spotify to hear Paul’s unique perspective and discover strategies you can start using today to make your own habit change easier and more sustainable.

PS: This blog post was generated by AI. Want to learn how I do this in 5 minutes or less? I teach this and more in The Audio Authority Blueprint Podcast [Systems Only] program. Click here to learn more.