I know all the excuses well. If they had a punch card that got a hole punch each time I used them, there'd be no card left:

• I'm not feelin' it today.

• If I start with a bad attitude, I might lose interest in the whole thing.

• If I do an awful job NOW, it'll only be harder to come back to later.

• I'll feel way more into it tomorrow.

Rationalizing excuses are just fear masquerading as wisdom.

They often require as much of an emotional hammer as logical finesse as an antidote to their deception.

Action Can Generate Motivation

Five minutes into a run you didn't want to go on, or three sentences into a draft you didn't want to start, you'll meet a secret truth of the universe hidden in plain sight: desire often follows instead of precedes action.

It's Easier to Actually Start Than Just Imagine Starting

Imagination takes energy! And it takes more mental energy to imagine your whole wardrobe, imagine your whole weekend, imagine what you should pack from your whole wardrobe to prepare for the weekend than to just get a suitcase out and start putting some clothes in it.

You Only Have To Put-Your-Face-In-It!

Ask yourself, do you really feel like reading that novel right now? The story's vague after abandoning the book 2 weeks ago, it's kind of a big, "meh." But, what happens if you just opened the book and read ONE PAGE? Brain circuits don't wake up til you bring your senses to it. So put your face in the problem and watch how much easier it becomes.

Consequences Build More Skill Than Fears

The musician who plays off notes when they're tired finds their tune much quicker than the perfect practioner who only plucks pleasant notes on peachy afternoons. The consequences of making mistakes will actually make you grow. But the consequence of avoiding fear is permanently stunted growth.