That moment when you're sitting there, not sure what to do or where to start, your mind bouncing between several different tasks while accomplishing none of them. Sound familiar?
Whether you're wrestling with a significant decision or simply trying to kick-start your brain on a Monday morning, that sensation of being stuck - mentally spinning your wheels - can be incredibly frustrating.
Start small, start anywhere
The solution might be simpler than you think. Just begin. Pick something, anything, and start. If you've got three essays due, pick the shortest one. If your room's a mess, fold one item of clothing. If you're struggling with revision, open one textbook and read one paragraph. Deciding to start somewhere is often an underrated motivator.
The science behind starting
This isn't just practical advice - there's actual science behind it. Chemistry students might be familiar with a concept called 'activation energy' - the initial push needed to get a chemical reaction going. Our brains work in a surprisingly similar way. While we often think we need to feel motivated before we act, research shows it typically works the other way around. Action comes first, then motivation follows.
Breaking through the mental fog
Picture this: you're at your desk, three equally important assignments staring back at you. The pressure to choose the 'perfect' starting point has you checking social media instead, caught in that loop of indecision. But something interesting happens when you finally pick one task - any task - and start. The mental fog begins to lift. You find your rhythm. One thing leads to another and the momentum builds. If you've ever had the thought, "Once I get started, I actually enjoy doing this" - that's activation energy doing its thing!
Wisdom from psychology
Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, once wrote to someone asking him how to live: "If you always do the next thing that needs to be done, you will go most safely and sure-footedly along the path." He wasn't suggesting we always know exactly what to do next. Instead, he understood that meaningful progress comes from taking action, from simply putting "one foot in front of the other."
So how can we put this wisdom into practice? Here are some simple but effective techniques.
Practical steps to get moving
- The 10-minute rule
Start with just ten minutes of focused work. No social media, no phone - just ten minutes. Often, you'll find yourself naturally wanting to continue once you've started. If not, take a short break and try another ten minutes. The key is making the initial commitment small enough that your mind doesn't push back. - Physical environment reset
Clear your immediate workspace of distractions. Put your phone where you can't see or hear it, close unnecessary browser tabs, and gather only the materials you need for your chosen task. Sometimes, simply organising your space can trigger the mental shift needed to begin. - The 'One Thing' method
Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, choose one concrete step. If it's an essay, start by writing just the introduction. If it's revision, focus on understanding just one concept. Break down bigger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. - Body-mind connection
Use physical movement strategically. Take a five-minute walk, do some stretches, or simply change your location. Moving your body can help shift your mental state. Even walking to a different study space can signal to your brain that it's time to focus. - Time-block technique
Instead of waiting for motivation, schedule specific blocks for different tasks. For example, 9-11am for essay writing, take a short break, then 11:30-1pm for revision. Having this structure removes the need for constant decision-making about what to do next. - Progress tracking
Keep a simple log of what you accomplish, even if it's small. Writing down "wrote two paragraphs" or "reviewed chapter 3" provides visible proof of progress and builds momentum. The key is acknowledging every step forward, no matter how small.
This principle works for both big and small decisions. Whether you're figuring out your career path or just trying to start that essay, the mechanism stays the same. That initial resistance - like standing at the edge of a cold pool - isn't a sign to wait for perfect conditions. It's just the natural friction that comes before progress.
Finding your way forward
To someone else who felt they'd made a mess of their life, Jung wrote: "There is no pit you cannot climb out of provided you make the right effort at the right place." The key? Do "the next thing with diligence and devotion," focusing on "the littlest, and the hardest things."
This isn't about rushing into things blindly or ignoring the need for proper planning when it matters. It's about recognising that movement - any movement - often brings the clarity we mistakenly think must come first.
Your Next Step
The next time you're stuck, whether it's with life's big questions or just deciding which assignment to tackle first, pick something and begin. Don't wait around for motivation to strike. Don't wait until you're completely sure. Choose a direction, take that first small step, and let momentum do its thing.
What’s one small task you can start right now? Try it and see what happens.
