Have you ever found yourself waiting for the "right time" to tackle a difficult task?

It may be a complex conversation you need to have with a partner, a looming deadline, or simply opening an envelope from the tax people that you have moved from one side of the desk to the other for a week.

We often tell ourselves that we are waiting for motivation. We are waiting to feel ready, energised, or confident before we begin.

But behavioural science suggests we might have the equation backwards. We often assume that feeling good leads to doing good. However, more often than not, it is the doing that leads to the feeling!

THE TRAP OF WAITING

When we feel low, anxious, or simply overwhelmed by the noise of modern life, our natural instinct is to retreat. We pull back to conserve energy. We tell ourselves we will look at the financial plan or book that family trip "once things settle down".

The trouble is that avoidance tends to feed itself. By avoiding the things that bring us mastery or connection, we cut ourselves off from the very sources of energy we need to feel better.

There is a concept in psychology called "behavioural activation". While it sounds technical, the premise is beautifully simple: do not wait for your mood to dictate your actions.

Instead, use your actions to shift your mood.

Structure and small habits can nudge us toward flourishing, even when we don't quite feel like it yet.

HERE’S HOW THIS CAN HELP:

In your financial life

Anxiety often thrives in ambiguity. When we don't know the full picture of our finances, our imagination tends to fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.

If you have been avoiding a specific money task, try scheduling a brief, non-negotiable appointment with yourself. It doesn't need to be a marathon session. Just 10 minutes to organise your documents, review your spending, or read that update from your planner.

Action can be the antidote to anxiety. Peace of mind is a return worth investing in, and often the price of admission is simply getting started.

In your relationships

True wealth is rarely found on a spreadsheet; it is found in the quality of our connections. Yet when we are busy or stressed, our social world is often the first thing to shrink. We rely on text messages or likes on social media, which are superficially efficient but rarely deeply nourishing.

Try to put something real in the diary this week. A walk, a coffee, or a phone call with no agenda other than to connect. Do it even if you feel tired. The energy you get back from genuine human connection is almost always greater than the energy required to show up.

In your personal growth

We talk a lot about "retirement planning", but we prefer to think of it as "life planning". What are you actually retiring to?

A life of flourishing requires a sense of purpose and mastery. This is a great time to start a tiny habit related to a skill you have always wanted to learn. Pick up the guitar, plant a garden, or write the first page of the journal.

This isn't about becoming a professional or monetising a hobby. It is about the feeling of competence and growth. It is about reminding yourself that you are capable of learning and doing new things.

Permission to be imperfect

Please remember that this is a permission slip, not a punishment note. You do not need to overhaul your entire life by Monday. Strong financial plans are not perfect. They’re personal. And the same goes for our daily habits.

If you are feeling stuck or if the path ahead looks a little foggy, you don't need to see the whole map. You just need to take one small, purposeful step.

Usually, that is enough to let the light in.