Friction

A loved one went on vacation
with me last week.
There was free wi-fi available
with some effort
everywhere we went.

Instead of using this free wi-fi,
he told his manager
that if they wanted him
to check into work daily,
he needed the costly cruise ship package.

This wasn’t about convenience.
This was about creating friction,
about putting a value on his time.

Yesterday, I was called about a business gig.
I’m still focused on writing.
I am available at any time.
Did I tell the prospective client that?
Nope.
Because if I did,
they would assume that my time is free
and waste it with endless questions and meetings.

The inputs to what you’re doing
may be free
but your time isn’t.
It is scarce and valuable.
Adding friction can often weed out
the frivolous requests.