for the one who can't even open the document
Goal
Trick yourself past the resistance spike by lowering the bar to "I'm only starting".
Source principle
Tell yourself 'looks like I'm starting'. Starting often continues on its own once the bar is lowered to just beginning. : from The Now Habit by Neil Fiore.
The plan
- 📂0:00-0:01Open the doc without committing to do anything. Just open it.
- 🪑0:01-0:02Sit down. Don't start yet. Just sit.
- 🗣️0:02-0:03Say aloud: 'looks like I'm starting'. Not 'I'm going to work'. Just starting.
- ⏲️0:03-0:04Set a 5-min timer. Just 5. The bar is the floor.
- 🌬️0:04-0:05Breathe. Notice the resistance spike. It's data, not a wall.
- ✍️0:05-0:06Do only the opening gesture: title, first line, first problem. That's it.
- 🔁0:06-0:07Say again: 'looks like I'm starting'. Repeat as needed.
- ✅0:07-0:08Decide: continue or stop. Guilt-free either way. The trick worked either way.
- 🚶0:08-0:10If continuing: set a fresh 15-min timer. If stopping: close the doc guilt-free.
Reward
Permission to stop after 5 minutes if you want, no guilt either way.