Alright, so let’s talk about “raw start time.” What I mean by “raw start time” is not about when to start eating raw food or a TV program’s starting time, but the time when I actually started to do something in my daily life.
It all started a while back when I was scrolling through my phone and got sucked into all these life hack videos. And one of them is talking about some tips and tricks. You know, the usual stuff like “make your bed first thing in the morning” or “drink a glass of water when you wake up.” Those are all okay and I know I should do those, but honestly, it got me thinking, the real problem for me wasn’t knowing what to do. The real problem was actually starting to do anything.
So, I decided to try something. I picked up a pen and a notebook and started jotting down the exact time I began doing anything.
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Felt like crap.
- 8:15 AM: Actually got out of bed.
- 8:20 AM: Started brushing my teeth.
- 8:30 AM: Stared at the mirror, wondering where my life was going.
- 8:45 AM: Began making breakfast.
I did this for a few days. Writing down the time I started each task, no matter how small, or how lazy I was. It was pretty eye-opening. I realized I spent a lot of time just… thinking about doing things instead of actually starting them.
Then I did an experiment. I started pushing myself to begin things the moment I thought of them. Had to pee? Get up and go right then. Needed to send an email? Open the laptop and start typing right away.
It was rough at first. My brain was like, “Wait, what? We’re doing this now?” But after a while, it became a habit. I stopped overthinking and started doing it right away.
Here’s what I found out. Firstly, things took way less time than I thought they would. That email I’d been putting off? Took me five minutes to write. Secondly, I felt a lot more in control of my day. There’s something powerful about just starting something without hesitation.
This “raw start time” thing might sound dumb, but it’s been a game-changer for me. And this is what I did. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being honest with yourself about when you actually start doing things. And then, it’s about pushing yourself to start them a little sooner, and sooner.
So, if you’re like me and you find yourself stuck in the “thinking about it” phase a lot, maybe give this a try. Grab a notebook, note down your raw start times, and see what happens. You might surprise yourself!
That’s all I did. It’s not rocket science, but it worked for me. It’s just about being more mindful and taking that first step without overthinking it.
My Takeaway
Start something as soon as you think of it, or record the time you really start doing it. No matter how big or small it is. Just start it! Stop thinking about it, just begin! Hope this helps you too!
