Leave Yourself a Momentum Matchstick

For over a year, I’ve ended my workday by:

1. Clearing my desk
2. Writing a small TODO item on a bright 3x5 index card
3. Placing this card on my keyboard so I can’t miss it.

Why?

To overcome the resistance of getting the workday started.

Steven Kotler says most people waste 2-10 minutes “dithering” between tasks. They seem to be gathering up the willpower to jump in and get the next thing done.

I used to be that way when I showed up at my office.

I’d plunk down, open my laptop, and immediately waste 5-10 minutes scrolling through Twitter before deciding what to work on first and getting to it.

But now, I leave myself an index card; a momentum matchstick.

I sit down, see the TODO I can knock out in 1 minute, and jump right in.

Why The Matchstick Metaphor?

A matchstick is a single strike that can ignite a fire.

Momentum and flow work the same way.

Attention drives focus.

Focus drives flow.

Just finishing one task can lead to the next, and then the next.

I love stretching a good metaphor. Let’s go nuts here.

1. You strike a momentum matchstick.
2. To generate a fire of flow.
3. To burn through your TODO list.

You may groan, but you will remember this (you’re welcome). And enjoy an AI visual:

Personal Results

Lately, I’ve found myself immediately dropping into a 1-2 hour session, knocking out 5-20 things off my TODO list.

I encourage you to give it a try.

• Leave yourself the smallest possible action.
• Start it as soon as you see it.
• Finish and repeat.

Don’t forget to leave yourself another card for the next day.