Khaberni - When we face a task that requires focus, such as dealing with a long article of thousands of words or a complex presentation, or even a work submission deadline, we are often put under pressure and stress or make the decision to procrastinate. However, the problem often does not lie in the difficulty of the task as much as in its enormity.
Here appears a simple but effective productivity trick that can be implemented using artificial intelligence tools like "ChatGPT", and some call it "the motivator" or "speed prompter", according to the site "Thomas Guide".
What is "the motivator"?
The idea of a "pace motivator" depends on changing the way of interacting with artificial intelligence. Instead of requesting a complete plan or a long to-do list, a single request is made, such as: "Act as a running partner, give me just the first step, and do not give me anything else until I say: done", and after executing this simple step, the user writes the word "done", then receives the next step, and so on.. step by step.
This method is not only applicable to "Chat GPT", but also works with the same efficiency with other platforms such as "Cloud" and "Gemini".
Why does this method work?
Large tasks do not overwhelm us because they are complex, but because they are presented to us all at once, and thinking about everything that needs to be done from the beginning generates psychological pressure that hinders liftoff.
The matter is like running a long distance; the hardest step is not covering the miles, but putting on the shoes and starting, i.e., focusing only on the first step eases the mental burden and breaks the initial barrier.
By forcing artificial intelligence to provide one clear and actionable step, the focus shifts from "all that needs to be done" to "what I will do now only".
The "pace motivator" not only delegates planning but also helps gradually build momentum, as each small step completed opens the door to the next, without the feeling of pressure or helplessness.
It's akin to running behind a pace runner: "Don't think about the full distance, just focus on the rhythm of the next step".
Why do we write the word "done"?
Writing the word "done" after each step gives a sense of accomplishment, even if it's simple, this feeling generates a small psychological boost - a dose of dopamine - that makes continuing easier than stopping or procrastinating, and instead of fleeing from the task or feeling overwhelmed, work turns into a series of small successive achievements.
When is this method useful?
The "pace motivator" can be used in:
- Writing long articles and reports
- Complex creative projects
- Multi-part presentations
- Unstructured or unclear tasks
- Any work postponed due to fatigue or hesitation
It does not reduce the amount of work, but it makes it manageable to start, and that is often the real hurdle.
