We all know that feeling: you sit down to start something challenging, and suddenly, everything else feels more appealing. Your phone, a snack, even cleaning out your sock drawer. Anything to avoid the hard thing in front of you.
But here’s the truth: being able to do hard things is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
In this episode, I’m sharing seven practical strategies to help you move forward when something feels impossible. These aren’t vague “push through it” tips—they’re real, actionable techniques that help you break tasks down, shift your mindset, and get started even when your brain is screaming NOPE.
You’ll also hear how procrastination, overwhelm, and cognitive distortions get in the way—and how to outsmart them.
Hard things don’t have to take you out at the knees. Let’s do this.
Never stop learning.
🎙️Other Episodes + Resources Mentioned
- Episode website (with transcript)
- Episode 36: How to Stop Procrastinating
- Episode 38: How to Be a Resourceful Person Who Can Figure Things Out
- Episode 52: Episode 52: SOPs and Workflows
- ⭐Enroll in SchoolHabits University
Get my free parent training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama.
Get my free parent training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama.
Get my FREE Parent Training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama
→ Get it right here ←
Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.
Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!
LET'S CONNECT
Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.
For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.
Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com