My Top 3 Tips to Get Myself Moving
One of the reasons I coach in the space of getting things done, getting unstuck, and accountability is because, well…I need those things too.
Like, desperately.
The number of half-finished projects on my computer (and scattered around my house) is almost comical. And the number of ideas I want to do? Even bigger. (One day I’ll make a list so you can either roll your eyes at me or fist bump in solidarity.)
I’ve tried the “just buckle down and focus” method. I’ve tried self-coaching pep talks. Honestly? Exhausting —and rarely effective. My actual process usually looks like this:
Dive into endless research to find the perfect tool or approach.
Confuse myself thoroughly.
Eventually stumble on a tool that actually helps — or, more recently, find a coach who brings clarity.
That’s part of why I do this work now. I know what it feels like to be knee-deep in stuckness and searching for a way forward. And I’ve also seen — both for myself and the people I work with — how the right mix of accountability, support, and small wins can actually break the cycle.
One of my biggest hurdles? Simply getting started — finding that first spark of motivation.
There are countless resources out there promising to help. I’ve sampled (and optimistically bookmarked) more than I can count. But today I want to share three strategies that consistently work for me — and maybe they’ll help you, too.
1. Say It Out Loud (to someone else)
Don’t just keep your intentions in your head — tell someone else you’re doing it.
Use firm language (“I’m finishing that draft tonight”) instead of “I’ll try.” Saying it aloud to another person puts a stake in the ground, makes the task feel more real, and taps into our natural drive to stay consistent with what we’ve declared.
There’s science behind this: studies show that when we share goals out loud, we’re more likely to follow through. Speaking intentions strengthens them in our memory, and telling someone else adds accountability and weight. It’s a small shift, but it turns a thought into a commitment.
2. Try Body Doubling
Work alongside someone else, even if they’re focused on their own thing. You’ve probably heard the term body doubling — it’s popular in the ADHD community — but you don’t need ADHD for it to work.
This technique creates gentle accountability, reduces distractions, and helps build momentum. I try to do this in person when I can, but that’s not always possible. The good news? Body doubling works just as well virtually.
My favorite platform is Flown, and you’ll often find me in their 24/7 drop-in room. One fun feature: you can state your focus and intention in the chat, which basically combines this with Tip #1 (saying it out loud).
Empirical research on body doubling is still developing, but studies on social facilitation and accountability (including a German study from 2006) suggest why it works. And honestly? I’ve tried it, it works for me, so it’s become my truth.
3. Shrink the Task
Big projects feel overwhelming, so start with the smallest possible piece—something that takes 5–10 minutes. Outlining, naming a file or writing the first sentence is enough. Small wins build momentum and make the next step easier.
An alternative to this is just to give the task 10 minutes. You want to write a novel. OK, so start by telling yourself that you are going to write 10 minutes a day. Easy enough, right? Almost everyone can find 10 minutes to write. And 10 minutes is nothing. Easy peasy, right? But, once you sit down and start, you’ll find that your motivation catches up to you, and many times your 10 minutes will turn into an hour.
We all wrestle with procrastination — some of us just hide it better than others. These are the strategies I come back to when I’m staring at a blinking cursor or circling a project I can’t seem to start. They don’t magically make me focus or erase the challenge of starting, but they make it lighter, more doable and less lonely.
If you’ve been reading along thinking, “yep, me too,” you’re not 1500% alone. The truth is, most of us don’t need more willpower — we need better tools and a little support along the way. That’s exactly what coaching offers: someone in your corner to help you sort through the options, find what works for you, and keep moving forward when things feel heavy.
So if you’re curious about what that might look like, I’d love to talk. In the meantime, try one of these strategies and let me know how it goes — maybe we’ll even body double together one day.
