Wow. Just wow. After a solid 8 hours of sleep last night, my mind feels like it’s been freshly scrubbed – crystal clear, sharp, and ready to go. I totally get now why people like Brian Johnson prioritize sleep above almost everything else. Nothing beats a clear mind for getting things done!
And speaking of getting things done, I had a bit of an epiphany after some networking yesterday. It hit me: most days aren’t packed with impossible tasks. They’re filled with things we want to do, or need to do, and the biggest hurdle isn’t the task itself… it’s just starting.
The Ridiculous Power of Just Starting
It sounds almost too simple, right? But think about it. This morning, before I even did my usual exercise routine, I managed to whip up an AI presentation outline in less than 30 minutes. Just because I had the idea and started. Imagine handling all your important tasks like that! It feels incredibly liberating and effective.
The key wasn’t some magic productivity spell; it was simply beginning the task.
The Procrastination Loop (and the Escape Hatch)
We all know the feeling. That big task looms, seeming overwhelming. Or maybe it’s just a medium task, but we feel lazy, unmotivated, stuck in procrastination mode. We know we should start, but we don’t.
Here’s the escape hatch I’ve realized is incredibly powerful: Break it down into the smallest possible step, something you can do in just 5 minutes.
Meet the “Take 5” Activation Method
Seriously, that’s it. No matter how huge or daunting the task feels, ask yourself: “What tiny piece of this can I do in the next 5 minutes?”
Take my networking goal from yesterday. The main event wasn’t until later, but the first step wasn’t “go network.” It was stuff I could do right then: spend 30 minutes reading my old networking notes, maybe chat with an AI to brainstorm some prep questions. Those are small, manageable actions. Those are the 5-minute (or maybe 30-minute, but still small) steps that get the ball rolling.
Everything starts small. You just need to find that first tiny domino and commit to pushing it over for 5 minutes.
Igniting Your Flow State 🔥
Here’s the magic: those first 5 minutes are like striking a match. They provide the activation energy. Once you overcome that initial inertia and just do something for 5 minutes, momentum starts building. Your focus sharpens. You get pulled into the task.
Suddenly, you’re not fighting to work; you’re in it. You’ve tricked yourself into a flow state. And once you’re there, you often don’t want to stop. You just keep going, and before you know it, that task you were dreading is well underway, or maybe even finished!
So, next time you feel stuck, don’t think about the whole mountain. Just find the first tiny pebble you can move in 5 minutes.