You got an idea. You thought about it. Felt good and made a plan on how to execute it. Now, you are all set to work on the idea.
The moment you start working on the idea, you feel uncomfortable.
You self-doubt whether you can do it or not.
Your brain makes excuses about why it will not work.
And now you feel uncomfortable and stuck.
It happens many times: when you try to change something or start something new, the path is full of strange feelings and sensations. You can call this fear or a cringe feeling.
On the other hand, when it comes to doing things that you are used to doing on a daily basis, that feels effortless and smooth.
But why is it like that?
That’s because your nervous system loves familiarity, and something that is not familiar is a threat to your nervous system, and it is obvious: if you are used to a certain routine for years, then changing suddenly is uncomfortable because you are breaking a years-long identity.
But that doesn’t mean it is not possible to do something new. Change is hard and uncomfortable but not impossible.
You need to make the nervous system feel safe. To make your nervous system feel safe, you need to start so small that it feels effortless, and when you keep repeating these small actions again and again, you are proving to your nervous system that the change you are trying to adapt to is safe.
Assume you are trying to write a book.
You got an idea and made an outline, and now you are ready to start working on your manuscript.
If you directly set a target of writing 1000 words per day, you will feel overwhelmed.
Instead, start with writing 200 words per day and set a specific time in a day.
For example, in the morning after you make up, you will write 200 words, no matter if it is perfect or not.
Initially, it might seem strange, and it is valid because you are going into the unknown, but with time, these small actions will prove to the nervous system that it is safe to continue, and then it will become effortless. Next time when you want to start something new, don’t look for motivation and don’t force the change by putting in more effort. Instead, make your nervous system feel safe because you want to need to work with your nervous system, not against it.