Pressure Equals Force Over Area
Inspired by on Lenny's Podcast
A physics equation explains why spreading yourself across everything makes you ineffective - and why focusing on one thing makes you powerful.
Lulu Meservey brings physics to parenting strategy.
'If you decrease the surface area then with the same amount of force you can apply more pressure. This is a basic equation for physics, but it's also true of communications.'
Pressure = Force / Area
Trying to be everywhere, do everything, hit every target? You're spreading your force across a huge area. The pressure at any point is minimal.
Focus on one thing, one person, one moment? Same force, tiny area. Maximum impact.
'There's a continuum. The extreme is you're becoming the life partner of one person. The other end is you're appealing to everybody with a weaker message.'
In parenting: you can't be fully present everywhere. You can be fully present somewhere. Bedtime every night. Saturday mornings. The car ride to school.
Pick your area. Make it tiny. Apply all your force there. That's where connection happens.
PM Theme: Focus and prioritization
Parenting Theme: Quality time over quantity
“If you decrease the surface area than with the same amount of force you can apply more pressure. Pressure is the force divided by the surface area, this is a basic equation for physics, but it's also true of communications.”Lulu Cheng Meservey · 00:31:29
“There's a continuum between you can either hyper-target, so the extreme of the continuum is you are becoming the life partner of one person. The other end of the spectrum is you're appealing to everybody with a weaker message.”Lulu Cheng Meservey · 00:32:30
