Why is starting so hard?

In this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores the psychology behind procrastination, motivation, and momentum—using an unlikely trio: a bowl of oatmeal, Isaac Newton, and Nike.

What begins as a simple household mistake becomes a powerful metaphor for human behavior. When we delay action, tasks don’t stay neutral—they harden. Just like oatmeal left in the sink, the longer we wait, the more resistant things become.

Drawing on Newton’s First Law of Motion, this episode reframes motivation entirely. The hardest part of change isn’t effort—it’s initiation. Contrary to popular belief, motivation doesn’t come first. Action does.

You’ll learn:

• Why procrastination is less about laziness and more about emotional avoidance
• How dread, uncertainty, boredom, and discomfort quietly keep us stuck
• Why “action precedes motivation” is one of the most important mindset shifts for performance
• How Nike’s Just Do It captures the psychology of hesitation better than any research paper
• Why the smallest first step creates momentum that carries you forward

Whether you’re staring at a blank page, avoiding the gym, putting off a difficult conversation, or leaving oatmeal in the sink, this episode offers a simple but powerful reminder:

You don’t need to feel ready to begin. You need to begin in order to feel ready.

Because once something is in motion, everything changes.

Key takeaway: Action is the spark. Motivation is the fire.

Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records