[FrancesL]

Hey there pianoperformer. I have exactly the same problem. Two things have helped.

The first thing you've already done, which is to realise that you have a problem starting, and that once you start you will be fine. This insight is actually really important. You know what the problem is now. It's not the activity itself, it's just the getting started. The more you remind yourself of this fact, the easier it gets to start. Try looking back at a piece of work you have accomplished and remembering how you felt before you started on it. You probably thought you couldn't do it. Or that you didn't really feel like doing it. Or that you didn't know how to do it. And yet, there it is!

The second thing that helps is find some small, easy-to-do action that is the first step in the process of doing whatever activity or task it is you need to do, and then focus on just doing that. 'I need to start this task' is not specific enough. It seems really vague and therefore difficult to imagine doing. You need something small and concrete.

I will give you an example. I like to try and go running two or three times a week, but very often it doesn't happen. I think about running and then somehow I never get around to it - I put it off - I check my email instead, or start to read a book, or make some food... You know how it goes.

So what I do is: I get changed. Seriously. That's all I have to do. Everything follows on naturally from that. Once I have my running clothes and shoes on I just go and do it. It would be far too much effort to get changed again. Getting changed and tying your shoes isn't hard, is it?

Many a time I have thought about running and then never done it. But I tell you what - I have never put my running gear on and then not gone for a run.