That Thing You're Dreading? It Won't Take As Long As You Think
I had this realization today while I was dragging myself to the gym. I really didn't want to go—I was in a flow with my work, sitting on my floor with my little desk setup, and the last thing I wanted to do was interrupt my groove. But I'd made a promise to myself this year to keep showing up, even when I didn't feel like it.
After my workout, something clicked. I'd been dreading this thing that literally took me one hour. One hour out of my entire week. And I don't even need to go for a full hour—30 or 45 minutes would be plenty.
Here's what blew my mind: if I work out four times a week for 45 minutes each time, that's only 3 hours total. There are 168 hours in a week, which means I'm spending just 1.8% of my time on something that dramatically improves my life. When I break it down to a single 30-minute workout, that's literally 0.3% of my week.
0.3 percent.
Yet I was building this whole drama around it in my head, making it seem like this massive time commitment that would derail my entire day.
Why We Stall on the Small Stuff
I started thinking about why we do this to ourselves. Why do we put off things that don't actually take much time? For me, it usually comes down to two things:
- I make it seem way bigger in my head than it actually is
- I'm not connecting the task to how it actually improves my life
I realized I do this with other things too. I keep putting off working on my speaking engagements, telling myself it's going to be exhausting. But really? Sitting down for a few hours a week to work on something I'm excited about? That's not exhausting—that's investing in my future.
Where Your Time Actually Goes
Let's get honest for a second. How many hours do you spend scrolling on your phone each week? Binge-watching shows? Procrastinating with random tasks that don't move the needle?
When I started tracking my time, I was shocked at how much time I was spending on things that didn't align with my goals. That "extra" time could have easily gone toward the things I claimed I didn't have time for.
How to Stop Stalling and Start Showing Up
Here's what's worked for me:
Get clear on your why. Working out isn't just about looking good—it's about feeling strong, energized, and confident. Connect your task to the bigger picture.
Break it down. Instead of "I need to work out every day," try "I'll do a 30-minute workout today." That's it.
Set a timer. Sometimes you just need structure. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and commit to starting. Often, once you start, momentum carries you forward.
Track your time. Spend one week tracking exactly where your time goes. You might be surprised how much "extra" time you have once you account for distractions.
Focus on progress, not perfection. Show up, even imperfectly. It's better than not showing up at all.
The Hardest Part Is Starting
Here's what I've learned: the hardest part is always starting. Once you take that first step, you build momentum. And momentum makes everything easier.
The things you're dreading? They're probably not as hard or time-consuming as you think. And the rewards—feeling stronger, being more productive, having peace of mind—are so worth that tiny investment of time.
So here's my challenge to you: Think about one thing you've been putting off. Break it down into actual time. Compare it to the 168 hours you have each week. Then just start.
You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you stop stalling and start showing up.
What if it all goes right? What if it's already going right?
