3 Simple Mindset “Tricks” To Take Consistent Action
If you’ve ever asked “How can I get myself to take consistent action long enough to get results?” then this article is for you!
At 5:00 a.m. this morning I started a new exercise routine. I’ve been exercising consistently for about 10 months now with no breaks. I’ve lost 45 lbs. and have been setting a lot of personal records on my walk times, pushup reps, etc. In fact, I’ve been thinking I’m pretty “hot stuff” — until this morning. Today I added exercises (pull-ups and cinderblock presses) which weren’t even an option several months ago, but now are just within reach (which forces me to improve).
However, today being the first day, I was sucking wind and, for a brief moment, I wanted to give up and go back to the routine I did previously.
Why?
Because that routine is “safe” and I know I can do it – I feel competent with that routine. (Truth be told, I actually feel a bit “studly” with that set.) But the number one thing that made me want to quit, even for a moment, was the feeling of “starting over from scratch!” That feeling of starting over at zero can get a bit depressing. But then I had a thought which I believe can change your entire perspective and direction just like it did mine.
Here it is.
“I’m not starting over from scratch, I’m just shifting gears!”
I’m just starting a new phase and I’m literally in the middle of “hitting the next level!” This isn’t starting over, this is REAL progress! I’m in the middle of making it happen! Every action I take is getting me one step closer to my goal!
And you know what? That’s true for taking action towards ANY goal, especially for adults!
We all have so much experience and have done so many things that we never want to start over. We know how hard starting over is. But, when you look at it from the perspective of just shifting gears and actively engaging in the process of performing at the next level, you realize you’re NEVER starting from scratch — you’re just shifting gears.
So that’s Mind Trick #1: Never start over from scratch, just shift gears in a new direction.
Still “Stuck?” Here are 2 more tricks that work for me.
Mind Trick #2: Baby Steps
Just keep breaking down the actions you need to take into smaller steps. Bite-sized pieces make anything easier. Then, set a TIME in your calendar / day-planner for WHEN you’ll take each ACTION.
Don’t move on to anything else until that action gets done.
The “mind trick” here is to keep breaking things down until your brain says, “Oh, I can do that now.”
You literally trick your mind into transitioning from “can’t-do” to “will-do” by breaking things down until the “can-do” switch flips in your head.
Mind Trick #3: The Path of Least Resistance
This is my favorite trick (even though it seems a bit of a mean trick to play on yourself). I like to pull this trick when there’s something on my to-do list that I’m obviously avoiding, no matter how far down I break the task into baby steps. This is for the things that seem to never get done, but you know deep down they MUST get done to keep moving forward.
When there is something on your immediate action list you’re avoiding, do all the OTHER tasks first, but don’t add any more items to the list.
SIDE NOTE: You really shouldn’t have more than 3-4 items on your immediate action list at any time. Having more just makes you feel overwhelmed.
Once you get down to one item left on the immediate action list, add one more action item to the list.
What do you add? Simple…
Add an action you see as “WORSE” than the last one already on the list.
You laugh?
I’m telling you from personal experience, putting down something you perceive as worse than the other action item will make your brain automatically seek the path of least resistance. You’ll automatically start taking the action you avoided previously so you can avoid this new action that seems worse instead.
It seems like a mean little trick to play, but it’ll get those tough actions done fast!
The bottom line with taking consistent action comes down to knowing the big picture of where you’re headed, breaking everything down into small, bite-sized actions you BELIEVE you can take, and organizing your work so the path of least resistance actually gets you where you want to go. Action is the key to getting results, but the right strategies make taking that action a whole lot easier!
Speaking of taking action and overcoming procrastination, check out my 5-Star Kindle book “How To Overcome Procrastination: The 5-Minute Roadblock Buster Solution” available on Amazon for just $2.99 http://amzn.com/B007XYA2EK
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20 Responses
Hi Jesse,
I really appreciate that… thank you buddy 
Jim
Mindset makes all the difference. Knowing you can and will and MUST find a way around or through whatever is stopping you. And sometimes it can be the silliest of things – like not knowing how to optimize a photo for a blog post or getting a header done. I think sometimes when we let the little things stop us, it’s then we have an excuse for not taking on the bigger things that really scare us – like what if I build a website and nobody comes or people trash my content or whatever. I’ve found that finally getting one hard thing done gives you so much confidence to keep going. Your help with teaching mind set “stuff” has certainly made all the difference for me. Love the drawings!!
Congratulations on losing 45 lbs. in 10 months Jim, it may not sound like much to anyone who has never attempted it, but I know it is quite an accomplishment.
I know also from personal experience trick #3 The Path of Least Resistance, works.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and wisdom.
That last tip is particularly brilliant Jim – but I’d expect no less from you! 
Suzanne,
AMEN! It’s like the little things become a “log jam” and then the big things just never get done… get ANY sticking point (large or small) out of the way and everything can start to flow again!
Thanks for the comment 
Jim
Hey Don,
Thank you! Yeah, #3 has been my little “psychological secret weapon” for a long time… thought today was a good day to share
Thank you for the kind words… I appreciate it!
Jim
Stephanie,
Thanks… I’m so glad you enjoyed it… please let us know if it helps you!
Jim
Thanks Jim for the suggestions. I’ve been starting a blog for at least a year and still haven’t made a post on it. I keep waiting so I can do everything without making a mistake, knowing it isn’t possible. I will set your suggestions to action and get started today.
Thanks Jim. Your mind tricks are great. It makes us victorious over the little sticky things that we don’r want to do. Mind over matter really works. Keep up your progress in all your endeavors.
Great post and congratulations on the fitness program. Exercise is the single best predictor of healthy aging – even more than diet. After being a certified wuss through childhood and college, I’ve been working out for most of my adult life, and I can tell you there’s a HUGE payoff. Recently I injured my arm in a fall (the things I was carrying fell on my arm). Because I was fit, the doc said, I would heal and recover range of motion fast – and she was right. I’m healing faster than many people half my age.
Your recommendation to “change direction” made me smile. I got a special trainer to recover from the injury. He has a knack of modifying exercises to make them harder, just when I get comfortable, instead of starting a whole new set of exercises. It works!
Jim, thanks for what you have shared. I especially appreciated mind trick 3. I will add that to my bag of tricks right away. Thanks again.
Thank you! It’s a little creepy how your message shows up, just as I was justifying another excuse to stop. You don’t now me from Adam, but you are in my head. Thanks?
Shannan
Congratulations on the weight loss! Anyone who’s never tried to lose weight has no idea just how difficult it is. EACH pound is a battle – and you’ve racked up 45? Awesome!
Thanks for a very motivating article. The words AND fun illustrations have served to inspire and motivate me. Thanks for that and, by all means, keep rocking and rolling.
Awesome tricks that anyone can use! This is such a great reminder that we can bust through just about any obstacle. And you’ve proven that it’s what we do day-to-day that makes a big difference (like 45 pounds+)! This one is worth printing out and putting on the refrigerator.
Though I have to say… I’ll never look at a stick shift the same way again.
Thank you very much everybody… great thoughts… and thanks for YOUR encouragement to ME!
That means a lot!!
More to come…
Jim
Great job on the weight loss Jim. I’ve lost 10kg and I know how much effort it takes.
The last tip was a great tip, I need to try that today.
Cheers
Ian McConnell
Western Australia
Hi Ian,
Excellent on your weight loss too!!! Well done!
Glad you enjoyed the tip
Thanks for your input!
Jim
So simple … so effective. Why go complicated when simple works? The baby step approach will take you from out the door to the corner of the street to … out the door for a 45 mins walk around the neighborhood! It just works.
Noel,
Amen! “Just put one foot in front of the other… and soon you’ll be walkin’ out the door”
Jim
Thanks, Jim, as always your insight information and message seems like you are speaking directly at me!!! Great mindset tricks to for us to use everyday of our lives.