Let's Do the Weird Stuff First

You know that thing you’ve been putting off? The one that’s small but weirdly sticky?

Maybe it’s canceling that subscription, mailing something, or putting away the bag of last year's tax documents.

These are “low-hanging brain thorns.” They’re not huge. They’re not urgent. But they quietly sap mental energy every time you remember them — and then push them off again. Left untouched, they build quiet executive shame inside you: the weight of knowing you're capable, but still… not doing it.

Here’s what’s strange: we don’t always procrastinate because something is big. Sometimes we procrastinate because it’s awkward, or vague, or emotionally itchy. It feels beneath your radar, but not beneath your attention. That’s why the usual advice — “just block time” or “just prioritize” — can fall flat.

So here’s a trick I give to clients (and use myself): start your week by doing the weird stuff first. Not the hardest thing. Not the biggest. Just one of the small, annoying things that clings to the edge of your to-do list like a burr.

When you knock that out, you free up more mental bandwidth than you expect. You start the day — or the week — with a clean win. And you reinforce a powerful message to your brain: I can act, even when it’s awkward. I don’t have to wait until it feels perfect.

If this kind of executive clutter is your everyday life, you’re not lazy — your brain just runs on a different platform. I work with professionals who live in that space all the time. You're not alone — and your systems/APIs can be adapted.

If you’ve ever wondered whether ADHD might be part of the picture, here’s how I evaluate and support adults navigating those questions.