Liminal Coaching Newsletter - February 2nd 2025 - The Antidote to Hesitation

The Power of Acting in 60 Seconds

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Feb 02, 2025

In this newsletter, we’ll look at how hesitation blocks progress and how, surprisingly, something as simple as acting within 60 seconds can break this cycle, leading to real transformation.

We explore why quick action is so powerful and how we integrate this principle into our work with Liminal Coaching clients.

You'll also find a simple tool—the Instant Shift Technique—to start applying this method today.

Why Acting in 60 Seconds Changes Everything

Hesitation is the biggest barrier to action. What’s worse, the longer we wait, the harder it becomes to start. This is particularly true when trying to shift ingrained patterns of behavior or limiting beliefs.

One of the most effective ways to bypass resistance is by acting within 60 seconds of recognizing a need for change.

Science backs this up:

🔹 Decision Fatigue – The more we delay, the harder choices feel. Quick action conserves mental energy. (thedecisionlab.com)

🔹 The Zeigarnik Effect – Our brains fixate on unfinished tasks, creating mental tension. Taking a small step reduces resistance. (en.wikipedia.org)

🔹 The Do Something Principle – Motivation follows action, not the other way around. Taking any step forward makes the next one easier.

🔹 Newton’s First Law (Applied to Habits) – Once in motion, we tend to stay in motion. Starting builds momentum. (jamesclear.com)

So, by acting within 60 seconds of recognizing a need for change, we bypass self-doubt, avoid overthinking, and make real progress. Over time, these small shifts lead to lasting transformation.

Liminal Coaching and the 60-Second Rule

Our work at Liminal Coaching is about making deep, meaningful shifts in how we think and act. Often, these shifts are not about thinking harder, but about thinking differently.

A critical part of this process is learning to take immediate action before habitual resistance takes over.

Many of our coaching clients struggle with feeling stuck in old habits, waiting for the perfect moment to take action, or overanalyzing their choices. The 60-Second Rule helps rewire these patterns by encouraging quick, low-risk action, shifting energy toward progress rather than stagnation.

(Note: the term "60-Second Rule" in productivity contexts doesn't have a clear originator, it embodies principles that have been advocated by various thought leaders to promote immediate action and reduce procrastination.)

Consider how often you’ve hesitated before making an important decision, speaking up in a meeting, or starting something new. Each time we delay, the mind generates reasons to stay still. Breaking that cycle is key to change.

By implementing guided relaxation and visualization techniques, we help clients integrate new patterns of behavior at a subconscious level, making it easier to act decisively and confidently.

A Practical Tool: The Instant Shift Technique

It’s one thing to say “take action within 60 seconds,” but often it doesn't feel that simple when you are the one taking the action.

To help you move forward, we suggest you try The Instant Shift Technique that we often share with our clients. It’s a simple three-step method to apply the principle in real time:

1️⃣ Notice the Moment of Resistance – When you catch yourself hesitating (before speaking up, making a decision, or starting something), pause and acknowledge it.

2️⃣ Commit to One Small Action – Within 60 seconds, take any step forward (e.g., write the first sentence of an email, stand up, or say the first words of a conversation).

3️⃣ Reinforce with a Micro-Commitment – Tell yourself: "I’ve already started. Now, I’ll take the next step." This builds momentum without pressure.

By incorporating these small but immediate shifts, our coaching clients begin to experience a fundamental transformation in how they engage with challenges and opportunities.

Try this today and see how it transforms the way you approach challenges.

What’s one thing you want to change, and one action you can take right now? 🚀

Bonus step: what’s one more action you can take after that?

Some “Real Talk”

You will find a lot of different versions of this idea out there. Unfortunately, they largely focus on the idea that we should be endlessly aspiring to some superhuman condition.

We acknowledge that this perspective can be exhausting when you feel stuck.

So our response is: No we shouldn’t. It’s not good for us.

At Liminal Coaching, we focus on small, intentional actions that create deep, lasting transformation over time.

Instant Shift - like all our other tools - can be used and developed from the easiest and most manageable steps onward.

Remember: Start where you are, take the next step, and trust that momentum will carry you further than you thought possible.

This approach, supported by psychological research, helps individuals and teams move past resistance, fostering growth and clarity.

Mike and Dom

P.S. As always, we're interested in your feedback. If you have questions or want to discuss any aspect of Liminal Coaching, including 1-to-1 and group coaching programs, please book a complimentary half-hour chat.

Liminal Coaching Services

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These sessions can help with many areas, including the reduction of stress and anxiety, setting boundaries, dealing with overwhelm, or accessing your natural abilities for ideation, synthesis, innovation and problem solving.

All sessions include solutions-focused cognitive coaching, followed by a customized Guided Relaxation session. You will also receive a downloadable recording of the Guided Relaxation for you to use in an ongoing practice.

If you would like to know more, please book a FREE half-hour introductory session.