I won’t pretend this post isn’t a ruse to test features of this new blog, but the method I detail below has served me well.

An intimidating task can create anxiety and force you to procrastinate. The key to overcoming those notions is to break down your task into more manageable parts. A very specific hack that I found handy is to mentally break down your task into two parts.

In step one, you only prepare the paraphernalia required to conduct the task without any bother about how or when you are going to accomplish the actual task. For example, if you want to start a challenging online course, make sure you prepare everything required including opening your browser to the exact tab and closing all distractions. If you have to go to the gym, prepare your gym bag, shoes and anything else you might need well in advance.

Now once step one is completed, you can wait until you feel ready to get started with step two, which is the actual task itself. Having lowered the “activation energy”, I usually find less mental resistance taking on something that initially seemed daunting.