If You Can't Half-Ass It, Don't Even Think Of Full-Assing Anything
We’ve all heard the anecdotes on how simply going to the gym can sometimes be the catalyst to working out, or how writing one sentence could pave the way to a completed article (more on this later).
We’ve read the stories about people washing just one plate when they’re not in the mood for life duties, or dressing up when they don’t feel like going out. And in those instances, the end results were a clean sink or a fun night out.
It may be woo-woo, but I’m sold on this concept. Because I, too, utilise a similar way of tricking myself into work. While I do execute the ‘baby steps’ method described above, I also employ what I call the half-ass way, and that’s putting just 10 per cent effort into my chosen pursuit.
So instead of writing a beautiful sentence, I jumble it up. Or instead of doing a proper push-up, I sag my hips and only descend halfway. You know the term shitty first draft? Yeah, I have a shitty first push-up.
You may resist that idea, and I get it. I used to hate writing sentences that I knew wouldn’t make it to the final draft. But I would beckon you to see it from a different angle. Maybe all you need is to vent all the shitty words first, just so you can reach the ones you’ve been looking for. And maybe, the shitty first push-up activates your muscles just enough to do one with proper form.
It’s like a water cut, you know? Once the water’s back, you need to let the murky bits flow before you’re back to your normal water supply. And I do believe that this happens with every pursuit in life. Every pursuit. Every day.
This is why I have no qualms going out for a walk whenever I don’t feel like running. I know that I won’t feel accomplished with a walk, but I also readjust my expectations to be happy with at least trying. Weirdly enough, I always end up running in the end.
Think of the low-tier actions as an entry fee of sorts. You have to pay to get on the ride. And the ride, in this case, is being your most noble self.
The exact definition of noble differs from person to person—you could want to eat healthy that day, or have a tough conversation with your boss—but the path leading there is the same: do the easy version first before thinking about the hard stuff.
It’s the same for this article. Writing has felt like pulling teeth lately, and I do this for a living. But I told myself that I could at least try writing one sentence today. I’m happy to report that we’re 400 words in now, and I may very well publish this soon after. Who knew that one sentence could lead to this?
I mean… I guess I kinda knew, because I always end up running after going for a walk, and I always end up working out when I do that shitty first push-up.
I guess now the ball is in your court. It’s your turn to do your equivalent of the shitty first push-up. Because if you can’t half-ass it, don’t even think of full-assing anything.