⏳ You Don’t Need More Time; You Need a Trigger

Day 23 of 30 — The Real Reason You’re Not Making Progress

Author

Selim Uysal
June 23, 2025

Hi friend

I’ve told myself this lie too many times:

“I just need more time to work on it.”

But that’s not true.

Not for me.

Probably not for you either.

You don’t need more time.

You need a trigger; something to start the work.

Because the hardest part isn’t the task.

It’s overcoming the invisible resistance between you and clicking “open.”

You know this if you’ve ever:

  • Had 2 free hours but still didn’t write that article

  • Let a small task sit for days when it would’ve taken 15 minutes

  • Felt “too tired” to start… until you got going and found energy

🧠 AI Can Be That Trigge

You don’t always need more motivation.

Sometimes you just need a nudge, and AI can provide that.

Here’s how I use AI tools like ChatGPT as frictionless triggers:

💬 Talk it out

Prompt: “I’m stuck on this idea. Ask me 3 questions to help me brainstorm it.”

✍️ Start messy

Prompt: “Draft a rough outline for a LinkedIn post based on this idea: [your topic].”

🔁 Repurpose with ease

Prompt: “Turn this short text into a Twitter thread, a quote card, and a blog intro.”

When the blank page is gone, so is the fear of starting.

💡 What Works Better Than Time?

✅ Create frictionless triggers

Open a doc. Hit record. Drop a one-word prompt into your inbox.

✅ Build a ritual

Same place. Same time. Same first step.

✅ Shrink the scope

Write 50 words. Sketch 1 idea. Start ugly.

When the bar is low and the path is clear, starting gets easy.

And once you start, momentum shows up.

✅ Prep the Environment

Leave your running shoes by the door the night before.

Open your writing doc before bed.

Keep your notebook on the pillow.

🧠 Why this works: According to BJ Fogg, author of Tiny Habits, behavior happens when motivation, ability, and a prompt converge.

You don’t always control motivation.

But you can control the prompt.

That’s why setting a physical trigger — like visible shoes — dramatically increases follow-through.

“Put the desired action where you’ll see it; make the habit hard to miss.”

— BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits

🎯 Today’s Reminder:

Don’t wait for time.

Create a trigger.

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💬 What’s a trigger you could set today to start your next important task?

Comment below or DM me “trigger”, and I’ll help you design one in 15 minutes.

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Onward,

Selim