How I’m actually getting sh*t done.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a love-hate relationship with productivity for years. On one hand, I want to feel like I’m moving toward something, like I’m actually making progress on the million goals floating around in my head. But on the other hand… I also want to lie on the floor and scroll Pinterest in peace.

Here’s the thing no one really talks about: staying motivated is hard when you’re overwhelmed. And trying to do everything is the fastest way to end up doing absolutely nothing.

So lately, I’ve been testing out a new approach. I stripped everything back and asked myself: How do I make this feel doable, not terrifying?

Here are the 2 things that have actually helped me get things done (without the burnout spiral):

1. The “one thing a day” rule

Forget the mile-long to-do list. These days, I pick one thing each day that moves me closer to a goal. Just one.

Some days it’s sending that email I’ve been avoiding. Other days it’s writing half a blog post, or even just brainstorming for 20 minutes. The key is making it so doable that my brain doesn’t automatically resist.

It might not sound like much, but here’s the magic: one thing a day adds up fast. You build momentum without overwhelming yourself, and you don’t feel like a failure when you can’t tick off 12 tasks in 3 hours.

2. I romanticize the boring stuff

No one talks about how boring consistency can be. Showing up every day? Doing the same small tasks over and over? Snoozefest.

So I romanticize it. I light a candle. I put on a playlist that makes me feel like the main character in a movie where I get my life together. I make my workspace cute. I reward myself for showing up, even if I just crossed off one thing.

It sounds silly, but tricking your brain into enjoying the process makes a huge difference. You stop chasing motivation and start leaning into rhythm.

So if you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or straight-up exhausted by your to-do list, let this be your reminder: You don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to start, in a way that works for you.

Small wins count. Slow progress is still progress. And getting sh*t done doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your peace.

You’ve got this (and if you don’t today, there’s always tomorrow).