leave the resistance at zero
defer the dread instead of denying it
I’m inclined to skip cardio. By the time I’m done lifting weights each morning, I’m feeling beat. Also, I’m anxious to get back to my desk and start the big editorial lift of the day, which can feel heavier than any dumbbell.
In that state, the idea of subjecting myself to a measly 10-minute Apple Fitness cycling routine sounds like pure torture. In fact, if I start thinking ahead to that little nugget of HIIT I’m supposed to do, my motivation to finish strength training wanes, too.
Rather than defeat myself before I’ve even started, I play a trick on myself. Instead of arguing with the little voice in my head, I agree with it: “You’re right. Let’s not kill ourselves. I’ll just leave the bike’s resistance at zero; as long as my legs are moving, it counts!” Easy enough, the voice thinks to itself with a nasty little chuckle.
However, by the time those legs are moving and the perky Apple instructor is shouting encouragement at me, I’ve recovered from my physical and mental fatigue. The idea of a little hard cycling no longer fills me with dread. As my resistance fades, the bike’s resistance goes up.
The mental jiu-jitsu here is deferring instead of denying. Sidestepping the internal debate, trusting future me will be in a different headspace. From experience, I know that I usually feel fine by the time I’m on the bike.
When you’ve got a writing appointment coming up—and writing should always be an appointment—you can’t help but imagine how miserable it’s going to feel to sit down and start based on your current state. Your imagination prods the anticipated discomfort like a tongue working a loose tooth. But experience tells you (if you take a moment to play the tape forward) that writing is perfectly pleasant once you get underway.
Rather than put off the dreaded writing session, remind yourself you don’t have to do anything but type. Stream-of-consciousness works, even if what you write has nothing to do with the project you’re working on. As long as your fingers are moving, it counts!
Then see what happens.
p.s. Poets and Writers featured agent-finding advice from me and several other agents in their July/August issue. If you’re looking for representation, start there.