The Ultimate Trick will Ultimately Fail
The trouble with these approaches, is not that they don’t work.
It’s that sometimes they do.
The seeds of system’s destruction are sown in the beginning of these approaches where we trick ourselves.
Why Tricks and Hacks Fall Short
Relying on hacks can subtly reinforce the message – our own intentions aren’t trustworthy on their own. Over time, this erodes our relationship with ourselves, making it harder to show up with confidence and care.
When we try to “fake it till we make it,” we’re not building true confidence—we’re telling ourselves we’re not enough unless we’re being someone else. Confidence can’t be forced, only fostered.
The Quiet Power of Practice and Gentle Risk
So, how do we learn to trust ourselves to make a decision and then engage? How can we approach something, something we may not want to do, for example, in a way that feels genuine?
We might have hope that we can develop that trust. We might hope for that ability and that confidence. Now, the answer, a pithy answer, but still the ultimate answer is practice.
When we experience something, particularly regularly, we create direct experiences, experiences we can feel, where genuine confidence is nurtured.
A simple daily visit, where you do not have to act, where you can simply be, begins a path of practice, not only with the material, but with a sense that you can follow through.
- Kourosh
PS – Check out the podcast version of today’s post at Captivate, Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify.
Join the Weekly Wind Down Newsletter
Get a weekly letter about getting to play and meaningful work. Start getting where you want to be with calm focus. You’ll receive free samples of:
- Creating Flow with OmniFocus
- Taking Smart Notes with DEVONthink
- Workflow Mastery
- PDF on beating deadlines with ease using the Touching the Keys Technique
Recent Posts
Force-Based Systems and the Fickle Fuel of Fear
Stuck Those of us who feel like we cannot work unless we are interested in something or are fueled by some impending deadline, can simply feel stuck. We can neither fake interest, nor can we fake deadlines. So, what do we do? Unfortunately, feelings of helplessness...
The Pain of Potential
I could do this! I can do that! But, I need to this! But, but... I really want to do that! One of the powers and frustrations of a wandering mind is the number of things that we can do at any one time. What’s even more frustrating is fully knowing that if we committed...
The Vital Need for Play in Work
When feeling dependent on deadlines, feeling that we can only things we are interested in, Forcing ourselves to work by some means can seem to be the only choice. However, it might be only have been a default choice. It may have never occurred to you that alternative...
David Sparks’ Productivity Field Guide Released
My pal, David Sparks, has done it again and released his latest Productivity Field Guide (Standard Edition|Plus Edition) (limited time 10% launch discount PFGLAUNCH). I do love his intro: “Productivity has become a dirty word... The real solution isn’t about doing...
Podcast appearance – The Omni Show!
The Omni Group, makers of my beloved OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, and OmniOutliner, had me join their Omni Show podcast where I got to discuss my use of OmniFocus. Have a listen here. It's the second time I've been on the show, and I've really enjoyed my conversations with...
Resolving the New Year’s Resolution
The answer is to managing New Year’s or other types of resolutions is not willpower.
How Do You Know if You Are Using a “Force-Based” System of Working?
Many of can fall into Force-based systems of work without even realizing it. Consider a few signs that might help you know…
Forcing Work – When the Report is Due on Friday
Many of us can inadvertently fall prey to force-based systems of work.
Relying on a deadline to kick us into gear is a good example.
How easy is it to fall into such systems?
OmniFocus 4 and the Horizon
Many of you have come to this site through my writings on OmniFocus (Here, Here, here and here). It's been years since I've written much about it. OmniFocus 4 has just been released by the Omni Group, and I'm super excited for it. As far as task management goes, it is...







