Applying the activation energy principle - Deepstash

Applying the activation energy principle

In chemistry, activation energy is the energy that must be supplied to result in a chemical reaction. The more energy you need, the harder it is to start the chemical reaction. A way to apply the activation energy principle is to reduce the amount of energy you need to do the action.

Ensure you have enough energy in the first place by feeling well-rested. Then break down the task into smaller chunks that need less activation energy. Once you have started, you'll often find yourself motivated enough to keep going.

153

644 reads

CURATED FROM

IDEAS CURATED BY

salma_ss

Entrepreneur and part time superhero

The idea is part of this collection:

How To Stop Wasting Time

Learn more about personaldevelopment with this collection

Creating a productive schedule

Avoiding procrastination

Prioritizing tasks effectively

Related collections

Similar ideas to Applying the activation energy principle

Activation energy

Every habit or behavior has an activation energy. The more difficult or complex a behavior, the higher the activation energy required to start it. The smaller the habit, the less energy you need to start.

Activation energy: Use catalysts

Catalysis makes it easier for a reaction to start. To motivate yourself for a task, add a personal catalyst.

  • Energetic linking. Try to link the task with an existing activity which requires low levels of activation energy. For example, to get yourself to listen t...

The Progress Principle

If we don’t see enough progress by the end of the day, it feels (to us or our superiors) like we haven’t done enough.

Apart from the completion bias, where our brain seems hardwired to wanting to finish the given tasks, we are also having another cognitive bias called the plan...

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Personalized microlearning

100+ Learning Journeys

Access to 200,000+ ideas

Access to the mobile app

Unlimited idea saving

Unlimited history

Unlimited listening to ideas

Downloading & offline access

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates