Getting Started is Hard

One of the big challenges we have, especially in our teens and 20s, is finding a way to make ourselves do the things that we know are beneficial to us, but we don’t really want to do. Similarly, it’s a big challenge to find a way to stop doing something that we know is deleterious. We have to learn both things. How do we motivate action to do the things we want to do while hindering actions that don’t lead to the long-term outcomes that we want? For me, the answer is practice. Everyday do something that you don’t really want to do but you know is good for you. Intentionally stop yourself from doing a small thing that isn’t aligned with your long-term goals. This also becomes a great place to practice balance. If you find the courage to make the phone call you’ve been dreading, do something really nice for yourself. Practice starting difficult things. Then take the bubble bath.