4 ms·

Yeah, it's definitely activation energy. Once I've actually started working on something, I can do anything, but damn, starting is tough.

• winter_blue 6y ago
  Wow, I can relate to this so much. What are some techniques anyone here has found to help push oneself to get started on things?
  • drewolbrich 6y ago
    Start working on something small and easy that's related to the thing you're actually trying to accomplish, and that'll help swap the broader context into your head that you need to work on the larger problem. Break the larger problem down into tiny little pieces that are easy to accomplish. Put them in a list. Pick off the easy items first each time you're trying to get started.
  • nicbou 6y ago
    If the first step is too big or the end goal is too far, I cut the first step into smaller steps, and try to find a tempting intermediary goal. Right now, I'm restoring an old motorcycle, and it's not going well. A bolt broke and I need to extract it from the engine I just reassembled. My end goal now isn't to ride a shiny vintage bike, it's just to get it running. The first step isn't to extract the broken bolt, it's to open the engine again, a ten minute job. Start small, set reasonable goals, and be careful about premature optimisation.
• billpollock 6y ago
  Start with a high level outline. Organize. See what that looks like and let me know if you have any questions.
• selestify 6y ago
  That’s really interesting, I’m the opposite where starting on things is easy but pulling through to the end and actually making a finished product is tough. I wonder if there’s a word for that.