How to Rewire Your Brain to Do Difficult Things Daily (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

Let’s be honest—doing hard things doesn’t come naturally. Whether it's studying for exams, finishing university assignments, tackling house chores, or even grocery shopping, your brain prefers comfort over effort. It's wired to avoid discomfort.

But with the right strategies, you can retrain your brain to stop avoiding and start taking consistent action—even when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s how I personally rewire my brain to get difficult things done every day.

1. Use a Tiny To-Do Notebook to Stay Focused

Whether it's a day packed with work deadlines, university assignments, exam prep, house chores like cleaning or grocery shopping, or simply managing everyday responsibilities, I rely on a small notebook to create a short, focused to-do list that helps me stay organized and on track.

• I keep it simple by listing just 3 to 5 specific tasks, focusing on what’s most important or time-sensitive first.

• As I complete each task, I cross it off.

• This small action provides a sense of achievement that builds momentum.

Writing tasks down makes them feel more manageable, and crossing them off helps reinforce productivity with a sense of progress.

2. Beat Procrastination with the 3-2-1 Trick

One of the hardest parts of any task is simply getting started. That’s why I use the 3-2-1 method.

When I’m procrastinating, I count down—3, 2, 1—and immediately begin. Whether it’s opening a textbook, starting the laundry, or writing an essay, this simple trick helps me bypass the mental resistance and move straight into action.

It sounds basic, but it’s incredibly effective for overcoming hesitation and building momentum.

3. Apply the Pomodoro Technique: Just 20 Minutes

When motivation is low, I turn to the Pomodoro technique. I set a timer for 20 minutes and commit to working on the task for that short amount of time.

It’s easier to start something when it feels temporary. Interestingly, by the time the timer ends, I’m usually engaged and continue working beyond the initial 20 minutes.

This technique works well for:

• Studying for exams

• Writing university assignments

• Cleaning the house

• Any task you’re avoiding

It helps trick the brain into starting, which is often the hardest step.

4. Use Rewards to Stay Motivated on Low-Energy Days

On days when I’m feeling particularly lazy or unmotivated, I use a reward system to encourage action.

For Example:

• Finish studying or a big assignment? I treat myself to a homemade dessert or a trip to the bakery.

• Complete my list of chores? I allow myself some downtime or a relaxing activity.

The key is to reward the effort, not just the outcome. This builds a positive association between hard work and personal satisfaction, which helps your brain embrace the discomfort of difficult tasks over time.

5. Stack Habits Into Your Daily Routine

To stay consistent, I integrate these techniques into my existing routines.

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• After breakfast, I review my to-do list in the notebook.

• Before starting any big task, I use the 3-2-1 countdown.

• I use Pomodoro timers throughout the day to stay focused.

• I reward myself when the task list is complete.

When these actions become habits, the resistance to doing hard things decreases significantly.

Final Thoughts: Starting Is Hard, Finishing Feels Easy

Rewiring your brain to do difficult things doesn’t require massive motivation. It requires small systems that help you start.

With tools like:

• A simple to-do list notebook

• The 3-2-1 method

• The 20-minute Pomodoro technique

• Strategic rewards

• Habit stacking

You can train your brain to associate effort with reward, and gradually build the discipline to take on hard tasks daily. Most of the time, it’s not the task that’s hard—it’s just getting started. Use these strategies to make starting easier, and the rest will follow naturally.