On days when you want to do something but can't move, 'lowering the bar' is the right answer

There are things you want to do, but you can't get started at all.
Have you ever blamed yourself at times like that?

I recently had to proofread a piece I wrote, and there were over 100 places to fix.
At one point, the sheer number of them made it painful even to open my computer.
'There's so much, it's impossible...'
'I couldn't get to it again today.'
As the days went by, my self-loathing just grew.

However, one day I suddenly thought:
When you can't give it your all, try lowering the bar.

I was able to move by lowering the bar

First, I made it okay to just 'sit in front of the computer'.
Next, 'just opening the manuscript is a success'.
And then, I cheered myself on as much as I could for what I had done.

'Great job! You opened the computer!'
'Wow, you even opened the manuscript!?'
'No way, you've already started making corrections!?'
No one is watching.

That is exactly why I think it is important to praise yourself.
As I was able to make progress little by little this way, I suddenly realized something.
This 'lowering the bar' method might be useful in many different situations.
For example—

• On days when housework is tough, just fold one piece of laundry

• On days when you don't feel like reading a book, just look at the cover

• On days when it's hard to get up in the morning, just try opening the curtains

• On days when you can't write a note, just try writing three lines.

Thinking 'is that really enough?' is surprisingly just right.
Once I lowered the bar, my motivation started to pick up little by little.
Before I knew it, there were days when I had managed to move forward, even if just a little.

Summary

When there is something you want to do, but your feelings aren't keeping up.
At times like that, please be bold and lower the bar.
A small step will surely lead to a big leap forward.

Thank you for reading this far.
May your day be a wonderful one.