Easy Procrastination Tool

Every time you prepare to do a task, or sit down to read or write, just remind yourself:

"Accept the initial agitation." Here’s why this might help.

Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explains that when we go to start something, especially when it involves any sort of focus, "the brain circuits that turn on first are part of the stress system."

This means:

That restless, unsettled feeling at the start of a task—the unpleasant resistance we experience—is not a sign that something is wrong. It's simply the gateway that you must pass through to reach momentum or deeper concentration.

A common misconception, Huberman continues, “is that focus should come effortlessly, as if there's a shortcut straight into 'flow.”

"People imagine there’s a secret door marked ‘flow,’ and if they just find it, they'll step straight into deep focus. But nothing could be further from the truth."

The reality is:

There is an entry point, but you have to work through some discomfort before you reach clarity. That’s just how the process works.

So we can learn to accept and even expect the initial agitation or stress, every time we begin a focused task.

The agitation is the doorway to the whole process.

So if you ever feel restless or frustrated at the start of something meaningful—whether it’s reading, writing, or just being present—know that this is part of the process. Don’t let it stop you. Move through it, and focus will follow.

Trying saying to yourself every time “

"Here is the initial agitation again, just as I expected. That’s okay.”