In the last blog, we saw that two factors are involved in our laziness and abstention from action: the burden of action initiation and the burden of routine preservation. We discussed the former. Let’s now consider the former.
Starting action used to seem like a difficult task, but now we know how easy it is. Continuing to act is equally easy and even easier. You only need two things: start small and don’t compromise. It is very tempting for us when we find ourselves starting a fruitful and somewhat enjoyable task to aim at big targets in the initial steps. We should resist that temptation, for starting is one action, and preserving what we started is another. If we want to preserve our actions, we got to have a small amount of them to continue doing. Think of the two abilities as two separate muscles.
Starting the action is a muscle that lifts the weight once and for all. But preserving the routine is a muscle that acts continuously. While the starting muscle is able to lift a heavy weight at once, the routine muscle cannot do with a heavy weight and must be given a relatively lightweight. What is crucial to notice here is that the weight of the two muscles should be identical. Because if we want to do an action, we want to both start doing it and continue doing it. The weight has to be the same, so we must go with the standards of the long workout and choose a lightweight. We have to compromise here, but not afterward. That’s our second rule.
Don’t compromise with your routine.
Do what you have to do even if you got only five minutes for it. Never cut your routine. Make that a big priority in your day. Finish your routine. Start small; don’t start with too long and difficult tasks or with many different tasks. Start small, and you will see how big you will get. The key here is never to stop acting. This is your self-discipline part. Train yourself to have uncompromising self-discipline. Of course, some days will be very unsuitable for your routine, sometimes you will just not feel like doing anything, and sometimes you will literally have no time. Don’t think too much. Just sit and do what you got to do, and believe me, you will get it done if you sit, no matter how difficult your day is.
Even if you got no time, go for a couple of minutes, and don’t let the day goes unchecked. With time, you will see the fruit of your effort and will see how your routine will be a natural part of you that you do every day with no interrupts in a very automatic manner. Just start small and never compromise.
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