We all have that one task—the one that lives on every to-do list, carried forward day after day. You see it, sigh, and move on to something easier.
Let’s call that task The Monster.
The Monster might be starting the tax prep, having a tough conversation, organizing your files, or outlining a new service idea. It’s never huge on paper, but it grows heavier every time you avoid it.
Step 1: Shrink the Monster
The hardest part of any big or uncomfortable task is starting.
The longer you delay, the more your brain inflates the threat.
The fix is simple: commit to just five minutes.
Set a timer, start the task, and promise yourself you can quit when the timer ends.
Nine times out of ten, you won’t. Once you’re in motion, momentum takes over.
Step 2: Break It into Wins
We often coach clients to reframe big tasks into micro wins.
Instead of “Write the report,” start with “Open a blank doc” or “List three bullet points.”
Small progress signals safety to the brain—it tells your system, “This is doable.”
Step 3: Pair Effort with Environment
Hard tasks require a supportive setup.
Change your setting—light a candle, move to a new space, close Slack, put on focus music.
Your surroundings should whisper: you’re capable, not cornered.
Step 4: Rebrand the Work
Most people approach hard tasks like punishment.
Try seeing them as practice instead: each one is a rep in self-discipline and trust.
You’re not just finishing something—you’re proving to yourself that you can.
From the Coaches
Blaine and I both use the five-minute rule constantly.
When we feel that quiet resistance to starting, we say out loud, “Just five.”
Sometimes it’s bookkeeping. Sometimes it’s a difficult email. Always, it’s freedom on the other side.
The key isn’t perfection—it’s the first step. Once you begin, the weight lifts.
Call to Action
Pick your “monster task” today.
Set a timer for five minutes and start—just to start.
The hardest part isn’t the task; it’s the pause before you move.