Race Isn’t Won Till It’s Over
It all started when I saw a video on a cup race between two people.
This got me thinking and reflecting on an approach I’ve seen in my teams and myself where we tackle the easy work first. Is this the right approach?
📘 Summary of Do the Hard Things First by Scott Allan
Main Idea:
The book emphasizes building the habit of tackling your most difficult, high-value tasks first—before distractions, easy wins, or procrastination derail your productivity.
🔑 Core Concepts:
Procrastination Is a Habit—So Is Action
You procrastinate not because you're lazy, but because you've trained yourself to avoid discomfort.
You can train the opposite habit: consistently starting with the “hard” tasks.
Do the Hard Thing First
Identify your highest-impact work—the thing you resist most.
Do it at the beginning of your day, before your willpower fades.
Build a “Bulletproof Routine”
Start small: 5–15 minutes of focused work on your hard task.
Use routines and rituals to automate action, not motivation.
Eliminate Decision Fatigue
Reduce mental clutter (too many choices = paralysis).
Plan tasks the night before or use time blocking.
Discomfort = Growth
Lean into hard things as opportunities for growth, not threats.
Embrace discomfort as a sign you’re doing meaningful work.
Systems Beat Willpower
Set up your environment, schedule, and habits to reduce friction.
Rely on systems, not mood, to follow through consistently.
💥 Practical Tools Included:
Morning routine builder
Daily habit tracker
“Hard Task First” planner
Mental scripts for avoiding distraction
🧠 Key Takeaway:
"Success belongs to those who face the hardest parts of life head-on. Train yourself to take on challenges, not avoid them."
