Today reminded me of something I have written about before: getting started is often half the battle.
This morning, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. I didn't stay up, but I
never felt like I got a full night's sleep. By the time I got up for the day, I
knew I needed to work on a project, but I kept putting it off.
The interesting thing was that I wasn't really
procrastinating in the traditional sense.
I wasn't scrolling social media for hours. I wasn't watching
television. In fact, I was productive.
I planned meals, ordered groceries, washed and conditioned
my hair, finished laundry, and worked through several things that needed my
attention.
That got me thinking.
If I was willing to think about groceries, recipes, and
everything else on my to-do list, why was I struggling to start the one project
I actually wanted to complete?
After some reflection, I realized the issue wasn't that I
didn't want to work.
It was that I didn't want to concentrate.
The project required focus, sustained attention, and mental
energy. After waking up so early, my brain was resisting that level of
concentration.
Once I realized that, the solution became obvious.
I didn't need more motivation.
I needed a reset.
One of my favorite productivity tools is what I call my
"10-minute trick." Most of the time, I set a timer for 10 minutes and
commit to working for just that amount of time. Once I get started, I almost
always keep going.
Today, I modified the trick.
Instead of setting a 10-minute work timer, I took a
10-minute nap.
When I got up, I felt more alert and ready to focus. I sat
down, started working, and completed my project.
By the end of the day, I had accomplished far more than I
expected.
What I learned is that sometimes the obstacle isn't laziness
or lack of discipline. Sometimes it's simply mental fatigue. The key is
figuring out what is actually stopping you so you can address the real problem.
For me, getting started is still one of the hardest parts of
any project. That's why I love simple tools that lower the barrier to entry.
Whether it's a 10-minute timer, a short walk, a quick break, or a power nap,
the goal is the same: create enough momentum to begin.
One tool that has helped me tremendously is using a simple
timer. Many days, I set a timer for just 10 minutes and commit to getting
started. More often than not, once I begin, I keep going long after the timer
goes off. If you're looking for a visual timer, this is one option you may want
to consider: https://amzn.to/4uc4XXJ
Once you begin, the work is often easier than you imagined.
After getting started, what I thought would be a difficult
day turned out to be a very productive one. I completed my project, ordered
groceries, washed and conditioned my hair, did laundry, and took care of
several other tasks that had been on my list.
One of the best parts about the day was how I felt
afterward. There is something incredibly satisfying about knowing you showed
up, did the work, and moved your goals forward even when you didn't feel like
getting started.
As an attorney and business owner, I know that if I want to
get paid, I have to complete work. Whether that's writing, consulting, creating
content, or going to court, I have to show up and do the work. But I've also
learned the importance of building assets that can continue working long after
the initial work is done.
Today reminded me of that lesson. While I was actively
working and moving my current projects forward, I also earned commissions from
work I had done previously. That's one of the reasons I believe so strongly in
building assets. Whether it's a blog, a digital product, an investment account,
or another income-producing asset, those things can continue producing results
while you're focused on your next project.
For me, that's the ultimate goal—not to avoid work, but to
create multiple streams of income and assets that work alongside me. Some
income comes from the work I do today. Other income comes from seeds I planted
weeks, months, or even years ago. There is something powerful about knowing
both are working together.
Both create momentum.
Both move you forward.
And sometimes all it takes is 10 minutes.
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