Sahil Bloom, about whom I know little, writes really useful material from time to time. On May 31, 2023, his article in his weekly Curiosity Chronicles, “How to get out of a rut,” contained this doable suggestion, about which I’ve written before:

The last step to getting out of a rut: Move.

If you wait to act until you feel motivated, you may never start. Motivation is a natural byproduct of movement. When in doubt, just start moving.

Movement —> Momentum —> Motivation

To start the cycle, all you have to do is manufacture a tiny bit of movement. If you do that, you can sit back and let it take you for a ride.

My favorite method for manufacturing movement: Minimum Viable Progress. Minimum Viable Progress says to just do a tiny bit, as anything above zero compounds.

• If you’re trying to get back into your workout habit, don’t worry about going to the gym for two hours, just go for a 15-minute walk outside.
• If you’re trying to get back into your workflow, don’t worry about executing four-hour blocks of deep work, just focus on one task for 15 minutes.

Avoid the tendency to think that the movement has to be perfect or robust. As Atomic Habits author James Clear says, “Just because it’s not optimal, doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial.” [Bob’s note: we’re reading Atomic Habits – it’s excellent!]

Narrow your focus and start small—even tiny. Build from there. – Sahil Bloom, May 31, 2023

Narrow your focus and start small. When trying to get folks into the habit of Daily Time with God, I suggest 10 – 15 minutes to start. I’ve had people tell me, “Oh no. 15 minutes isn’t enough. I should do an hour!” My response is always, “Trust me. God would much rather you do 15 minutes than NOT do an hour.” Never underestimate The Power of Little Things (a blog from 2020 containing the 1/4-inch domino demonstration. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look).

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah 28.9 – 10, KJV)

Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? (Zechariah 4.10, MSG)

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” [Jesus] said. (Matt. 14.17, 18)