Why You Struggle to Take Action (And How to Fix It)
You have big dreams. You set goals. You plan. But when it’s time to take action, you hesitate. You overthink. Days pass, and nothing happens.
The truth is, your brain is wired to resist big changes. It perceives them as threats, triggering fear, procrastination, and self-doubt. This is why motivation fades, discipline feels hard, and success seems out of reach.
But what if I told you the secret to massive success isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about thinking smaller? Welcome to microcommitments.
The secret to breaking this cycle isn’t more motivation—it’s microcommitments.
What Are Microcommitments? (And Why They Work When Nothing Else Does)
A microcommitment is a minimal, almost effortless action that moves you toward a bigger goal. Unlike traditional goal-setting, which relies on motivation, microcommitments bypass resistance and hack your brain’s psychology.
🔹 They feel “too easy” to fail. (So you actually start.)
🔹 They create momentum. (Tiny actions compound into habits.)
🔹 They eliminate overthinking. (Your brain doesn’t have time to resist.)
🔹 They rewire your identity. (Small wins make you believe you’re a take-charge person.)
Example: Want to start working out? Don’t commit to an hour at the gym. Just put on your sneakers. That’s it. Sounds stupid, right? But once your shoes are on, you’ll probably take another step. That’s the power of microcommitments.
The Science Behind It
Your brain is wired to seek comfort and avoid effort. When faced with a big task, your mind sees it as a threat and activates the fight-or-flight response. This is why you procrastinate or feel exhausted just thinking about starting.
Microcommitments hack this system. By committing to an action so small it feels ridiculous to resist, you trick your brain into momentum mode. And once you start, finishing becomes easier.
Step-by-Step: How to Take Action & Stop Overthinking
Step 1: Shrink Your Commitment Until It’s “Too Easy to Fail”
👉 Instead of saying, “I’ll go to the gym for an hour,” say, “I’ll do one push-up.”
👉 Instead of “I’ll read 50 pages,” say, “I’ll read one sentence.”
👉 Instead of “I’ll write a book,” say, “I’ll write one sentence today.”
These microcommitments feel so effortless that your brain can’t justify skipping them. And once you begin, you often end up doing more.
Step 2: Attach New Habits to Existing Ones (Habit Stacking)
Instead of trying to build a habit from scratch, attach it to something you already do daily: ✔ After I brush my teeth, I’ll do one squat.
✔ Before I drink my morning coffee, I’ll write one sentence.
✔ While waiting for my food to heat up, I’ll take five deep breaths.
This method makes new habits automatic—without relying on willpower.
Step 3: Set “Pointless” Time Limits to Trick Your Brain
Want to stop procrastinating? Tell yourself: “I’ll do this for just 60 seconds.”
💡 Why it works: Your brain resists commitment, not action. A 60-second task feels like nothing—but once you start, you often keep going. It’s called the Zeigarnik Effect: your brain doesn’t like unfinished tasks.
✔ “I’ll study for just 2 minutes.” (Ends up studying for 30.)
✔ “I’ll write for 1 minute.” (Ends up writing a full page.)
Step 4: Use the “Two-Option” Rule to Remove Mental Blocks
Instead of saying, “I have to work out,” say: “I can either go for a 10-minute walk or do 5 squats.”
💡 Why it works: The brain hates feeling forced. Giving yourself two choices reduces resistance, making you more likely to take action.
Step 5: Make It Stupidly Easy to Start
Your environment dictates your actions more than you think. Set yourself up for success by removing friction:
✔ Lay out your workout clothes before bed.
✔ Keep a book on your pillow.
✔ Place a water bottle next to your laptop to drink more.
🔑 Rule of Thumb: If it takes more than 20 seconds to start, you won’t do it.
Step 6: Reward Micro-Wins (But NOT in the Usual Way)
Most people reward themselves after hitting big milestones. But studies show instant, small rewards are more effective at reinforcing habits.
✔ After writing one sentence, smile and say “Nice work!”
✔ After meditating for 30 seconds, fist bump yourself.
✔ After working for 10 minutes, take a victory stretch.
💡 Why it works: Your brain craves immediate feedback. If it feels good now, you’ll want to do it again tomorrow.
Final Thought: Progress is a System, Not a Feeling
Stop waiting for motivation. Action creates motivation, not the other way around.
If you’re tired of setting goals and never achieving them, stop thinking in terms of massive leaps. Instead, think in microscopic steps.
Because when you master microcommitments, success becomes inevitable.
Want to finally take control of your habits? Read my guide on [How to Build Discipline That Lasts]