You know that thing you’ve been avoiding? The one that sits at the back of your mind like an
uninvited guest who just won’t leave?
Whatever it is, you know it needs to get done. But the truth is… you don’t really want to do it.
I get it. Some things just don’t spark joy. They’re not fun. They’re not exciting.
And in the grand scheme of life, it’s easy to convince yourself they can wait. But here’s the thing—these tasks take up space. Not just physically, but mentally. They linger, weighing you down, making you feel stuck in a cycle of “I should” but “I don’t want to.”
So how do you push yourself when your heart isn’t in it? How do you find the energy to start, even when every part of you would rather do literally anything else?
1. Start With Kindness (Not Guilt): First things first—let’s drop
the guilt. Just because you haven’t tackled this yet doesn’t mean you’re lazy or failing. Life is busy and not everything can be priority #1.
Instead of beating yourself up, try a little self-compassion. Imagine you’re talking to a dear friend. You wouldn’t
scold them for procrastinating. You’d encourage them, gently remind them why this matters, and maybe even offer to help. So why not extend that same kindness to yourself?
2. Make It Smaller: When a task feels overwhelming, our instinct is often to avoid it completely. But what if you just took the smallest possible
step?
Instead of “decluttering the entire garage,” what if today’s goal was simply to open the garage door and pull out one box?
Instead of “starting a whole new exercise regimen,” what if you just put on your sneakers and stretched for five minutes?
The trick is to shrink the task down until it
feels so doable that it’s almost silly not to start.
3. Create a Tiny Ritual: Sometimes, we need a little ceremony to ease us into action. Light a candle before you start sorting papers. Play your favorite upbeat playlist before you tackle the basement. Make yourself a cup of tea before sitting down to
budget.
Creating a small ritual signals to your brain, Okay, we’re about to do this, and it can make starting feel just a bit more inviting.
4. Set a Timer, Not a Deadline: The thought of working on something for “as long as it takes” is daunting. But what about just 10 minutes? Grab a timer (or use the one on your phone) and tell yourself you’ll do something for just that long.
When the timer goes off, you can stop if you want—but more often than not, you’ll already be in the groove and want to keep going.
5. Pair It With Something You Enjoy: Sometimes, you just need a little incentive. If you’re decluttering, listen to your favorite podcast while you sort. If you’re exercising, choose a scenic route or a workout that feels like play rather than
punishment.
If you’re tackling email, sit by a window with a cozy drink. Giving yourself something pleasant alongside the task can make a world of difference.
6. Visualize the Result: Close your eyes for a moment and imagine it’s done. The clutter is gone. The first week of your new workout is behind you. The daunting task is crossed off your list.
How does that feel?
Probably lighter, freer, maybe even relieved. Hold on to that feeling. Because future you is counting on present you to take that first step.
7. Remember: You’re Stronger Than the Resistance: That voice in your head telling you to put it off? That’s just resistance talking. And you? You’re stronger than that.
You’ve done hard things before. You’ve pushed through discomfort. You’ve taken steps toward things that once felt impossible. And you can do this, too.
Take that first step, no matter how small. The hardest part is getting started. Once you’re in motion, you’ll realize—Hey, I can do this. And you
absolutely can.
