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Has this ever happened to you — you have a long to-do list, big plans and dreams, but when it comes down to it, you just can’t seem to get started. You keep putting things off until tomorrow. Before you know it, days and weeks have slipped by without making any real progress.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with procrastination and have trouble getting motivated. But the good news is, there’s a simple mindset shift that can make all the difference.
Stop Trying to “Get Motivated”
Most productivity advice focuses on hyping you up — “just get pumped and excited about all the things you want to do!” But honestly, it’s not very effective, at least not long-term. Forcing motivation is mentally draining and unrealistic to maintain daily.
The key is to stop trying to “get motivated” to take action. Instead, focus on making it stupidly easy to simply start.
For example, if you want to start a new workout routine, don’t wait until you “feel motivated.” Just tell yourself you’ll work out for 5 minutes per day. Or if you procrastinate on work projects, don’t wait for motivation or inspiration to write. Decide you’ll work on it for just 15 minutes each morning.
