Rebranding emotional avoidance

A few strategies to help turn task avoidance into task initiation:

• Make it fun: Put on your favorite playlist or grab a great coffee.

• Shrink the task: Commit to doing it for just 5 minutes.

• Body Double: Hop on a quiet video call or sit next to someone who is also working.

• Future-Self Empathy: Think of the massive relief your "Future Self" will feel later when this is done. (This is one of my favorites, I think about Future Hailey all of the time… am I setting her up for success?)

Task initiation is hard. You aren't lazy or unmotivated. Your brain is just trying to protect you.