How to Trick Yourself Into Doing Things You Hate

For many people, inertia, laziness, fear, procrastination, self-doubt, endless debating and analyzing, second-guessing, “planning,” and self-sabotage are the default. But for those with an action bias, taking a step forward is the thing that happens automatically, to the extent that it takes effort not to act.

Deliberately schedule the times you will spend planning, researching, etc., and times when you will be taking concrete, results-creating action. For example, block out 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for writing but reserve the afternoon for planning, studying, or contemplating.

taking action is such a good idea and so easy to do, then why don’t we do it more often?

There are many answers to this question, but most of it comes down to anxiety. We feel like we don’t yet know enough to act, we’re afraid of the outcome, or we’re worried there’s a risk we haven’t prepared for. We feel we don’t have enough authority or clarity or ability to act.

Do something small now, see where it lands you

task is in many ways an easier one: Just do something. Take a step, even a small one, in the right direction, right now. That’s all.

takes effort not to act.

There are many answers to this question, but most of it comes down to anxiety. We feel like we don’t yet know enough to act, we’re afraid of the outcome, or we’re worried there’s a risk we haven’t prepared for. We feel we don’t have enough authority or clarity or ability to act.

something small now, see where it lands you, and go from there. This is the essence of a bias for action. We no longer see action as some final outcome of a process, but rather the necessary first step of every process. When in doubt, do.

Instead of asking yourself about all the many reasons you can’t or shouldn’t act, focus instead on asking: What thing can I do right now? Counter-intuitively, this is often the lowest pressure, least anxiety-provoking state to be in.

You can act right now, even though you’re not 100 percent clear on the plan, you’re not feeling ready, and you’re not super excited about it. You can act, even if your plan is still fuzzy and your confidence a little shaky. In fact, you can always act, no matter what.

In your own life right now, think of the task you are procrastinating and try to identify the nature of the anxiety behind it. Take note of the excuses you make for why you can’t act—they’ll give you a clue about your current mindset. Once you’ve identified this underlying fear, start considering some easy ways to begin shifting toward a bias for action instead.