Swing Easy: The Power of Doing Less to Achieve More

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Golfers know it. Musicians know it. And anyone who’s ever overprepared for a conversation knows it: Tension gets in the way of flow.

When golfers try to control every variable, they often tighten up and slice the shot. But when they swing easily, trusting their preparation and instincts, the ball flies straighter and farther.

In a world that glorifies the hustle and bustle, the idea of doing less to achieve more feels almost rebellious. We’re conditioned to believe that success is a direct result of relentless effort, set plans, and constant striving. But what if our obsession with control is the very thing holding us back?

The Trap of Overplanning

From childhood, we’re taught to study hard, work harder, and plan everything. While structure has its place, rigidity can become a trap. When we cling too tightly to how we think things should go, we leave little room for spontaneity, creativity, or adaptation. We become so focused on executing the plan that we miss the opportunities unfolding around us.

Flow Happens When We Loosen Our Grip

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described flow as the optimal state of consciousness, where we feel and perform our best. Flow doesn’t happen when we’re tense or overthinking. It emerges when we’re immersed, relaxed, and responsive. Ironically, the harder we try to force flow, the more elusive it becomes.

Flow occurs when challenge and skill are in perfect balance—not when we’re overwhelmed or bored. It’s not about grinding harder; it’s about aligning tasks with our strengths in a relaxed, focused state (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

It’s all about mindset. Letting go of the script and our mental blueprint of how things must go is often the first step toward finding flow. It’s not about abandoning goals; it’s about loosening our grip on the outcome and trusting the swing.

The Science of Doing Less

Doing less isn’t a sign of laziness; it’s a deliberate and effective strategy. Neuroscience shows that when we rest, our default mode network activates, allowing the brain to make connections, solve problems, and generate creative insights (Fox et al., 2015). In other words, downtime isn’t wasted time; it’s where breakthroughs happen.

A 2021 study from the University of Virginia found that people consistently overlook subtraction as a problem-solving strategy. Instead of removing tasks, we tend to add more, even when subtraction would be more effective (Adams et al., 2021).

Real-Life Examples of Swinging Easy

Steve Jobs was known to take long walks and minimalize his decision-making. Winston Churchill took daily naps during wartime. Albert Einstein played the violin for inspiration and relaxation. These high performers understood that strategic rest and simplicity fuel innovation.

Personally, I’ve found that the best conversations, ideas, and breakthroughs happen when I stop trying to control every detail. Whether it’s a coaching session or a creative brainstorm, the magic often lies in the moments I didn’t plan.

How to Practice Swinging Easy

Here are a few ways to loosen your grip and invite more flow into your life:

• Audit Your Expectations: Are you holding onto a rigid idea of how something should go? Try replacing “should” with “could.”
• Schedule Space: Leave room in your calendar for unstructured time. Creativity thrives in the gaps.
• Practice Subtraction: Each week, remove one task, meeting, or commitment. See what clarity emerges.
• Trust Your Preparation: Like a golfer stepping up to the tee, trust that you’ve done the work. Now let it unfold.
• Embrace Imperfection: Flow isn’t perfect, it’s alive. Let go of the need to get it “right” and focus on being present.

Creativity Essential Reads

Why People Stop Bringing Their Ideas to Work

Art as a Hallmark of Human Consciousness

Swinging easy doesn’t mean slacking off. It means showing up with purpose, flexibility, and trust. When we stop trying to force progress and start allowing it, we often find that life flows more smoothly, and success follows naturally.