Do you ever stare at your to-do list like it’s some kind of unsolvable puzzle? You know exactly what needs to be done, but your brain just decides… “Nah, we’re good right here.” Whether it’s the laundry piling up, that email you’ve been dodging, or the passion project you swear you’ll get to eventually, it’s like your brain is stuck in quicksand.
What if I told you there’s a hack—a simple trick—that can break through that mental block and force you to take action? In this post, I’m going to share the exact method I use to get things done, even when my ADHD brain is pulling me in a million directions. The best part? It’s something you can use too, no matter how overwhelmed you feel.
The Struggle of Starting: A Mental Block
For those with ADHD, starting a task is often the hardest part. It’s like staring at a mountain of laundry and hoping it folds itself. But here’s the thing—once we start, we often fall into hyperfocus, where time seems to slip away unnoticed. The real challenge is overcoming that initial resistance.
That’s where entry points come in. An entry point is a simple action designed to reduce the mental resistance that holds you back from starting. By tricking your brain into taking that first step, you create a small dopamine burst. It’s like jumpstarting a car with a dead battery: that tiny spark gets everything running.
The Power of Small Actions
Think about it: ADHD brains tend to get stuck in “all or nothing” thinking. If the task seems too big, we either try to tackle it all at once (which feels overwhelming) or we avoid it entirely. The trick is to lower the bar so much that starting becomes inevitable.
Here’s an example: filming a YouTube video for hours is daunting. But if I break it down into simple steps—setting up the camera, getting the mic ready, filming one short section, taking a break—suddenly, it’s manageable. The initial setup is like a snowball rolling down a hill; it starts slow, but once it gains momentum, you can’t stop it.
Think back to when you dreaded responding to emails. Your inbox felt like a mountain you couldn’t possibly climb. But what if, instead of tackling the whole thing, you simply opened your inbox and read just one email? No pressure to reply—just read it. Often, that little action turns into replying to that email… and before you know it, you’ve cleared out your inbox.
Tiny Steps, Big Results
The key to making this trick work is keeping your entry point ridiculously small. It’s like telling yourself, “I’ll eat just one potato chip.” Of course, we know once we start, it’s hard to stop. By setting the bar so low, the idea of starting feels too easy to resist.
For example, if you need to write a report, start by opening your laptop. That’s it. You don’t need to write a word, just open the blank document. This works because it sidesteps that overwhelming feeling of needing to be perfect or to do everything at once. You’re not committed to the whole task—just getting your foot in the door.
This same method works when I’m writing scripts. I don’t think about the whole script right away. I start by writing one sentence, or even just a title or premise. Once that’s done, the rest flows much easier. It’s like dipping your toes into a cold pool. Once you test the waters, getting fully in doesn’t seem so bad.
2-Minute Trick: Let Momentum Take Over
Now, once you’ve picked your tiny step, tell yourself you’ll do it for just two minutes. This is short enough to trick your brain into thinking, “Sure, I can handle two minutes of this.” For instance, if you’re cleaning your room, just pick up one piece of laundry. Once the timer hits two minutes, you’re free to stop. But here’s the magic: once you start, momentum often kicks in.
This concept ties into something called the Zeigarnik effect, which is the idea that our brains don’t like unfinished tasks. Once we start, we feel the pull to continue. Even if you still feel stuck after those two minutes, don’t worry. Celebrate the fact that you took action. You’ve made progress—and progress is progress, no matter how small.
Celebrating Small Wins
Celebrating small wins is crucial. By rewarding yourself for just starting, you reinforce the behavior and set yourself up to do it again in the future. After opening that blank document, allow yourself a two-minute scroll through social media or a peek at a cat meme. It’s about creating a positive association with starting, not necessarily finishing.
Another way I keep myself on track is by placing visual reminders of my next entry point—sticky notes, for example. If it’s not on a sticky note, does it even exist? Sometimes, those little reminders are all it takes to get your brain into gear.
The 5-Minute Roll
Once I’ve completed that entry point, I’ll commit to five more minutes. You’d be amazed at how often those five minutes turn into thirty—or even sixty! Once you’re in the zone, it’s hard to stop.
The Challenge: Start Small, Keep It Going
Now, think of a task you’ve been avoiding. What’s the smallest possible step you can take to get started? I challenge you to create your own entry point and share it in the comments below. Whether it’s opening a document, writing one sentence, or folding just one shirt, get your foot in the door. Your future self will thank you.
By using entry points, you can break through the mental barriers that hold you back and create a powerful habit of starting. Don’t forget to hit that like button and subscribe if you found this helpful. I make new videos every week, and I’d love for you to be a part of this journey.