My Simplest and Most Reliable Productivity Hack
Or: A Crash Course in Volition
Hi there,
Ever find yourself struggling to get started? You’re definitely not alone.
In consulting—and in life—the biggest blocker often isn’t lack of time, tools, or even clarity. It’s the blank slide. The empty doc. The untouched task board.
You scroll. You check Teams. You make another coffee.
So, what’s my simplest and most reliable productivity hack?
Just. Start. Doing.
Seriously—that’s it.
And honestly? I think this might be my superpower as a consultant.
Whenever I’m stuck, tired, unsure, or just not feeling it—I start anyway. Not because I’m inspired, but because I’ve learned this one thing:
Motion creates clarity. Action beats overthinking. Every single time.
Why Starting Feels So Hard
Let’s face it—starting can feel awful. Not because the task is hard, but because you’re staring at a blank page with zero momentum. That’s when your brain gets creative:
“I’m too tired.”
“This feels boring.”
“I’ll just check email one more time.”
“Maybe I’ll clean my desk first.”
“Surely I’ll feel more inspired tomorrow…”
Sound familiar?
Don’t fall for it. Inspiration is overrated.
Starting is what creates inspiration—not the other way around.
Motion Creates Motivation
We often assume we need motivation before we can act.
But in reality, it’s usually the other way around.
Taking even a tiny step creates momentum. It sparks progress. And that’s often all you need to get into flow.
There’s even a name for this: volition. It’s your will to act—the bridge between knowing and doing.
Volition, like a muscle, strengthens with use. Every time you start—even when you don’t feel like it—you’re training your mind to take action.
And once you start, something powerful happens: your subconscious joins in. Even after you walk away, your brain keeps working in the background—connecting dots, solving problems, and generating ideas.
So yes—motion doesn’t just create motivation. It activates your internal engine.
Just Start Doing
The trick? Start with something—anything—that moves you forward.
Open the file. Sketch an outline. Write the first sentence.
It doesn’t have to be good. It just has to exist.
A few examples from my day-to-day:
When preparing a public presentation, I outline the structure and reuse slides from older decks.
When starting documentation, I create a table of contents, section headings, and rough notes.
When working on an architecture model, I scan the source material, add known elements, and plan stakeholder interviews.
When planning a complex solution, I start by brainstorming with colleagues—even if we don’t yet know the answer.
And when you’re working on client tasks, try to do something billable. Even a rough draft counts as progress and provides value.
Don’t overthink it. Just move.
Tricks to Help You Start
Still stuck? Try one of these small nudges that work for me:
🤖 Ask AI for a rough draft or ideas: You’ll edit it anyway (just keep confidentiality in mind).
💬 Talk it through with a colleague: Saying things aloud often brings clarity.
🎧 Put on music or a podcast: Ambient sound lowers the barrier to starting.
🚶 Take a walk: I often get my best ideas while moving—but only if I’ve already started working on a task.
⏱️ Use the one-minute trick: Open a doc, set a timer, and type anything for 60 seconds.
📅 Block focus time: One or two hours, no distractions. Just deep work.
📝 Write a “throwaway” draft: Tell yourself it’s only for you. Remove the pressure to be perfect.
📄 Start from a template: Reuse a doc, deck, or whiteboard layout to give yourself a head start.
📦 Break it down: Start with the tiniest step—even “open the file” counts.
📍 Change your scenery: A different room, a café—anywhere that helps you reset.
🍪 Reward yourself: Give yourself permission to enjoy a small reward after a focused session—a coffee, a snack, or a 10-minute YouTube break. Even tiny rewards help train your brain to associate starting with something positive.
Final Thoughts
There’s no perfect way to start. But there is one terrible way: not starting at all.
So the next time you’re stuck, don’t wait for clarity or brilliance. They’re overrated anyway.
Do something small.
Make it real.
Let motion do its magic.
And remember—sometimes, even after trying, you realize the task is too big to tackle alone. That’s okay. What’s not okay is struggling in silence. If that happens, talk to your manager or client. Raise your hand early. That’s not weakness—it’s professionalism.
👉 What’s your go-to trick when you’re stuck? Hit reply—I’d love to hear it.
Until next time,
Eetu Niemi
IT Consulting Career Hub