Something is better than nothing
Productivity ⏱️ | Making progress 📈 | #Motivation #Motion #Progress
TL;DR
Emphasise "something is better than nothing" as a powerful motivator to initiate action.
Overcome the fear of starting something new by acknowledging any progress, no matter how small.
Break tasks into manageable steps to create momentum and avoid regrets of inactivity.
Seed
We all have those days when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply unmotivated. It's easy to get caught up in our thoughts and doubts, and let the day slip away without accomplishing anything.
That's where you have to remember that "something is better than nothing". You may also have heard about this as "one is better than zero". This simple Seed can be a powerful motivator to get us moving and take action towards our goals.
When you're feeling stuck in a rut, try to remember that even accomplishing one tiny thing today will be better than doing nothing at all. It could be as simple as sending an email, doing a load of laundry, or taking a short walk. The important thing is to break the cycle of inactivity and take that first step towards progress.
Another benefit of this approach is that it can help you overcome the fear of starting something new. Starting a project can be scary. You might worry that you won’t achieve your desired results. But don’t let this fear hold you back. Remember that even a small amount of progress is better than no progress at all. By taking that first step, you're already on your way to achieving your goals.
Breaking tasks down into smaller steps can also help to make them more manageable and less daunting. This approach can help you to track your progress and make it easier to get started on the first task. Remember, even one easy first step today is better than none.
Finally, we're more likely to regret the things we haven't done than the things we have. By taking action, even in small ways, we're creating a sense of momentum that can help to carry us forward.
So, whatever it is that you have to do today, remember that something is better than nothing. Take that first step, no matter how small, and keep moving forward. You might be surprised at how much progress you can make.
Example
I’ll let you discover this 2 minutes example in Jessicas Gimeno’s Ted Talk, How to get stuff done when you are depressed.
Depression is probably one of the most difficult states in life regarding getting things done. And that’s where this Seed is most valuable I think.
And of course, if you are curious about or interested in the topic of depression, I recommend watching the entire video.
Bonus
I like to recommend one book about getting started, the famous “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
If you don’t have time to read an entire book, you can find summaries on YouTube in many languages.
And on top of this, I highly recommend James Clear’s “3-2-1 Thursday newsletter”. “Weekly wisdom you can read in 5 minutes, for free.”