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I just recently saw that story in a book. What was it... Oh yes, it was in "Situated" by Angela Duckworth (of "Grit" fame). That's the gist of the book. Frog and Toad changed their situation rather than the downstream thoughts or behaviors (through willpower). Make it harder to do (friction up) what you don't want to do and make it easier (friction down) to do what you want to do.

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You should pick up a collection of Frog and Toad stories. I read them because I have little kids, but they are genuinely great little with stories. The stories are simple, but it is amazing how well developed the two characters are, and how they play off each other in different situations.

Arnold Lobel is also just very funny. Grasshopper on the Road made me laugh out loud the first time I read it my kids. The opening story about beetles that love morning ("The Club") feels so timely.

Life is a bit easier when we see the conditions that lead to the undesirable outcomes, and so much harder when we aspire to perfect ourselves and use moral strength to over come our weaknesses. Like my mom always said of parenting, "Make it easy to be good." - works for self-management as well, and is much more relaxing and happy than constantly trying to grind or improve.

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