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14 Nov Your brain at 3 am: YES! Your brain at 9 am: …maybe later

Posted at 13:16h in Business, effort, Entrepreneurship, Productivity, Results, sales by

Ever find yourself feeling super excited and motivated about a project—until you sit down to actually do it? Many of my clients have full enthusiasm in the idea stage, only to have it fade once it’s time to actually get started.

Remember Newton’s First Law of Physics: An object at rest will remain at rest, unless acted upon by an external force. The “force” is that push we need to overcome the mental blocks that make it tough to get started on a project.

Here’s a look at some of the common blocks that keep us from getting started—and how to overcome them:

  1. “I don’t know how to do this!”
    Lack of clarity or experience can feel like trying to cook without a recipe. Limiting your focus to just the first step can make things easier. Let’s say you’re building a website—start with a content outline or check out a few tools. Each small action builds confidence and gets you moving.
  2. “What if this won’t pay off?”
    Investing effort without a guaranteed reward can feel risky (hello, entrepreneurial life). Shift your focus to the process rather than the outcome; commit to small wins along the way. This mindset can create that initial “force” to get going, reminding you that small steps have value, regardless of the end result.
  3. “Other tasks feel easier or more urgent.”
    It’s easy to choose simpler or more predictable tasks over ones that push us out of our comfort zone. Smaller tasks make us feel good (“Look how organized my desk is!”) but only temporarily. Don’t let “productive procrastination” get in the way of your real goals. Try time-blocking for high-impact tasks, then tackle the easy ones afterward as a reward. This way, you’re both moving the needle and getting that nice, organized desk.
  4. “Ugh, do I have to?”
    When facing resistance, remember it’s about starting, not finishing. If you can overcome that initial “Ugh” moment, you’re likely to keep going. Start with just 10 minutes on the clock—you’ll find it much easier to keep going once you’re in it.
  5. “I can’t make consistent progress.”
    Sometimes it feels like you’re finally making headway, only to be pulled away and then struggle to get back on track. Avoid this by leaving yourself “re-entry points” — quick notes or a to-do list before you step away. That way, you’re not starting from scratch and can jump back in with minimal friction.

Motivation doesn’t always come from willpower alone. By using these techniques, you’re giving yourself the initial “push” to get unstuck and keep the momentum going—even in small steps. You’ve got this!

Which methods of getting the ball rolling work best for you? I’ve created a quiz that can help you revitalize your mindset by providing insights into your unique strengths and areas for growth as the “CEO” of your business! It’s a fun way to reflect on your skills and discover opportunities for development. Click here to take the quiz and unlock your CEO potential today!

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