I'll start on 1st of the month.
Hi,
This is Suvarna,
A psychologist from India,
Who's going to talk about more on this statement which we end up using mostly every year when the month of December is approaching.
So this is procrastination's best disguise.
It's that time of the year again,
Drawing towards an end with thoughts looming,
Mind trying hard to sweep things undone under the carpet.
Some people might look forward to the clean slate a new year offers,
While others may feel burdened by what they didn't accomplish.
I should have done more.
Have I wasted another year?
I didn't meet my goals.
Why didn't I start sooner?
Or,
I'll start fresh in January.
Sounds familiar?
These thoughts are all too common and can sometimes trap us in a cycle of procrastination or self-doubt.
Have you ever decided to wake up early only to snooze your alarm for just five more minutes,
Which somehow turns into an hour and sometimes half a day?
What's holding us back?
That's a term for it and it's called intention-action gap.
It's the psychological space between our good intentions and the actions required to make them happen for real.
Let me give another example.
An exhausting day after work,
You're on the couch,
Promising yourself you'll hit the gym after one more episode of your favourite show.
The episode ends and suddenly,
Your brain starts negotiating.
It's late now.
I already walked quite a lot.
I'll start tomorrow and work out harder to make up for it.
Spoiler alert!
Tomorrow comes and the cycle repeats.
That's how our brains often trick us into inaction.
The fear of discomfort,
Failure,
Or doubt in one's capabilities can keep us stuck in a loop of tomorrow.
This flashback,
Which is slightly humorous,
All too common scenario,
Highlights how our brains often trick us into inaction.
The fear of discomfort,
Failure,
Or even success can keep us stuck in a loop of someday.
But here's the truth.
Beginnings don't have to wait for a date on the calendar.
Bridging this gap doesn't require superhuman willpower.
It starts with small,
Deliberate actions that make the leap from simple intention to action feel manageable.
Starting small is a principle rooted in psychology.
The Kaizen method,
For instance,
Encourages taking tiny,
Manageable steps towards big goals.
Here are a few ways to begin.
You want to write a book?
Simply open a blank document and jot down one sentence.
Hoping to eat healthier?
Swap one snack for a fruit or a vegetable.
Trying to reconnect with a friend?
Then just simply send them a quick,
Hey,
Think of you,
Text.
It all counts as progress.
The idea is simple.
When the action feels achievable,
You are more likely to follow through.
And it all counts as progress.
Don't let the new month or new year dictate your start.
Many of us fall into the new year,
New me,
New month,
New beginnings trap,
Postponing action until January or date showing number one on the calendar.
But why wait?
If you have a goal,
A dream,
Or even a small change in mind,
Today is as good a day as any to begin.
Life doesn't operate on a strict timeline.
It's fluid and ever-changing.
So if you're struggling with where to begin,
A few strategies to start with could be number one,
Clear micro goal setting.
So instead of I'll read a book,
Try I'll read one page today.
Number two,
Celebrate efforts,
Not outcome.
Acknowledge the courage you took to take the regardless of the results.
Number three,
Finding accountability.
So share your plan with a friend or community.
Sometimes external support makes all the difference.
Recently,
I heard an interview of a YouTuber slash actor or author from India called Prajakta Kohli,
Where she said that she wanted to write a book and shared the decision with the world so that she would now make sure to complete it rather than procrastinating or making it secondary.
The idea is simple.
When the action feels achievable,
You're more likely to follow through and these small wins build momentum.
Now,
Breaking free of the right time with.
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment,
Embrace the idea that every moment is an opportunity to act.
Here's a thought,
What if the best time to start wasn't first of the month,
But right now,
Reframe the narrative to something more empowering.
Each day holds its potential for a fresh start.
These statements shift the focus from external factors to internal control,
Making the act of starting feel less daunting and more within reach.
And if you feel scared,
Or there is something that's holding you back,
Here's a simple exercise.
Close your eyes and recall the last time you started something new.
Maybe it was trying a new recipe,
Meeting someone for the first time,
Or starting a fitness routine.
How did it feel?
At first,
It might have been intimidating.
But over time,
As you moved past the initial discomfort,
It likely became easier and possibly even enjoyable.
What can we do is forget perfection,
Ignore the calendar,
And take one small step.
Remember,
It's never too late to start,
And it's never too early to hope.
So,
Whether you are 8 or 80,
Whether you're starting a new career,
Learning a new skill,
Or simply trying to embrace the day,
Let this be the moment you begin.
Before ending,
What's that one thing you'll start today?
