⫹⫺ Cold Start Problem
CMMN WLTH 114 - Cheat Codes for Creators, Makers & Doers
Restarting good practice is akin to restarting a cold engine.
Turn the key → it looks promising → things grind to a halt.
Last year I stopped the process of learning (and writing) and found myself struggling to start from cold.
However, in the first few weeks of the new year I devised a plan to get things going again.
It’s based on two simple ideas:
Make information easy to access
Commit to just starting (opening the book or pressing play). I can stop anytime but whatever happens I have to start.
Make Information Easy to Access
Information has never been more abundant.
Neither have dopamine fueled distractions.
Social media = easy dopamine
Reading a book = hard dopamine
In order to avoid easy dopamine I’ve removed the friction between the material and myself by keeping my:
Kindle handy or Kindle app on iPhone
Book and podcast list formatted and accessible.
Digital Reading
I would always much rather handle a physical book, and not put more money into Amazon, but the practicality of a Kindle is hard to beat.
I’ll often read a book on Kindle and if I love it buy the physical version for my shelf.
Referencing and note taking is simply easier on physical pages.
[Patiently waiting for someone to introduce a bundle price for physical, digital and audiobook.]
When the Kindle isn’t practical I use the app to read instead of scrolling mindlessly on social media.
Easier said that done, but avoiding being overwhelmed by choice helps.
Book & Podcast List
To overcome the temptation to procrastinate I’ve curated a book and a podcast list that I’ll continue to update it as I work my way through it ↓
I added a status bar so that you can follow along, a score out of 5 and a link to my platforms of choice, Thriftbooks / Spotify
📖 Bookmark them for easy access.
Commit to Just Starting
On New Year’s Day I participated in a polar plunge.
The Atlantic was a brisk 38*F that day but, as with most activities that take us out of our comfort zone, the thought was considerably worse than actually submersing myself in the water.
Therefore, the second commitment it to simply start; open the book or press play.
Even if I quit after 10 seconds, whatever I do I have to start.
One page is better than none.
The process above is focused on the learning commitment I made in week one but the same principles can be applied to fitness, writing a newsletter, or any practice that requires time and attention.
Let me know if the above resonates,
Thank you for the fantastic Book & Podcast Lists. The book by Rick Rubin is also at the top of our list. His quote, "Art isn’t in the tools, material, equipment you use. It’s in the way you see the world," is truly brilliant.