by Dr. Christine Li

Have you ever found yourself resisting something important? Maybe it’s that pile of papers you need to sort through, a looming deadline, or that closet that has been calling for a decluttering session for far too long. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We all experience resistance from time to time. But the good news is, there’s a simple way to start breaking through resistance and get things done.

In my work as a psychologist and procrastination coach, I’ve used a five-step framework for breaking through resistance for years to help my clients—and myself—move past resistance and into action. Today, I want to share this powerful method with you, using decluttering as an example to illustrate just how transformative this process can be.

Step 1: Identify What Needs to Be Tackled

The first step is simple: pinpoint the area that you want to address. This is likely something you’ve been avoiding, feeling stuck in, or making excuses to put off. It could be your kitchen counters, your workspace, or a long to-do list.

When I recently led a live decluttering session inside my Simply Productive group coaching program, my clients chose a variety of areas to focus on—some tackled their closets, others worked on kitchen spaces, and some focused on small but nagging piles of clutter. The key here is to pick one area and commit to it. No judgment, no overthinking. Just choose a starting point.

Step 2: Identify Your Resistance

Before we take action, we need to understand what’s holding us back. Ask yourself: What is stopping me from doing this? Common barriers include:

• Lack of time – “I just don’t have enough hours in the day.”
• Lack of energy – “I feel too drained to tackle this.”
• Overwhelm – “It feels like too much, so I end up doing nothing.”

These are all understandable feelings, but they don’t have to define your actions. Recognizing them is the first step toward breaking through them.

Step 3: Envision Your Desired Outcome

Instead of staying stuck in resistance, shift your focus to what success looks and feels like. Imagine the outcome: a clean, peaceful kitchen, an organized workspace, or a completed project that no longer weighs on you.

When my clients engaged in this visualization exercise, they reported feelings of freedom, accomplishment, and energy—all powerful motivators. And here’s the best part: what we desire is often a reflection of what we value most. If you crave a clutter-free space, you likely value clarity and efficiency. If you want to finish a project, you may value competence and progress. Identifying these core values helps you stay motivated.

Step 4: Take Action—Even If It’s Small

Here’s where momentum starts to build. Now that you know what’s holding you back and what success looks like, it’s time to take action. Even the smallest step can make a difference.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and start. Pick up five things to donate. Clear just one surface. Progress doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just has to start.

One of my favorite productivity hacks? Doing things alongside others. When we take action in a group—whether in person or virtually—we feel more accountable and motivated. That’s why the Simply Productive group decluttering session was so powerful. Clients left feeling like their work was not only possible but enjoyable.

Step 5: Reflect, Celebrate, and Plan Your Next Step

Once you’ve taken action, take a moment to acknowledge your progress. Ask yourself:

• How do I feel now compared to before?
• What would I rate my success on a scale of 1 to 10?
• What did I learn about myself in the process?

Most people are surprised by how much better they feel. Many even want to keep going! The final piece of this framework is planning your next step. Maybe you commit to another 10-minute session tomorrow. Maybe you schedule a weekly decluttering habit. Keep the momentum alive.

The Action Framework for Breaking Through Resistance

This framework is simple but effective—and it works for anything you’re resisting, not just decluttering. The next time you feel stuck, remember these five steps:

1. Identify what needs to be tackled.
2. Identify your resistance.
3. Envision your desired outcome.
4. Take action, even a small step.
5. Reflect, celebrate, and plan your next step.

I encourage you to take action today—pick one small thing and get it done. And then, let me know how it went! You can always send me a direct message on Instagram (@procrastinationcoach) and share your wins.

Let’s break through resistance and celebrate success together!