Activation Energy
Activation energy is defined as the amount of energy it takes to start a chemical reaction. However, we can see this concept even outside chemistry; it applies to tasks we perform every day. It’s the reason that sitting down, opening up a textbook or a slideshow, and focusing is so hard. It’s also the reason that continuing to study after thirty minutes can sometimes feel effortless even though starting is so difficult.
But why do the effort and willpower required start at a ridiculously high spike? Why does it level off after a while? And most importantly, how can we take advantage of this to be more productive?
Force
Completing a task is somewhat akin to pushing a ball along a flat surface with non-negligible friction. When the ball is at rest, a force must be applied to it, and work must be done on the ball. To get the ball into motion, a change in energy is required, analogous to activation energy. One must overcome inertia for the ball to start rolling. However, once the ball is already in motion, the applied force need only be strong enough to counteract rolling friction and air resistance (not static friction, however, because if the ball rolls without slipping, then no energy is lost due to static friction). This “rolling ball” analogy is a nice analogy to completing tasks and provides a physical representation as to why getting started is harder.
That’s why it’s so much harder to get the ball rolling than it is to keep the ball rolling.
Uncertainty
Everything comes with a risk. Creating a club at your school, starting a nonprofit, or becoming an entrepreneur require a lot of work that could otherwise be avoided, and the gain isn’t guaranteed. The fact that there’s only a chance to succeed, even if the potential gain is massive, causes many people to shy away from taking the risk and getting started. It’s so much easier to slide into an existing club than it is to start your own and have it gain a significant membership. It’s much easier to apply for existing positions than it is to create your own and handle the logistics of managing applicants. But getting started is crucial because:
"The beginning is the most important part of the work." --Plato
And even though it’s not easy, maybe it’s better to take the risk, venture into the cloud of uncertainty, and seize the potential gain or fail. Because the disappointment of failure will ultimately be dwarfed by the regret of indecision, of never trying.
Excuses
But what about tasks and responsibilities? There’s nothing being created, no risk being taken, just something that needs to be done. In that case, why is the activation energy still so high, even when the risk factor is removed?
Sometimes, when I sit at my desk with the intention to study, I notice a bit of resistance from my brain. A few familiar feelings flood my mind, and the same thoughts pop up. “This isn’t the right time to study. You’re not going to be productive.” Or it might take the form of “You could be doing something more entertaining than studying.” Either way, my brain tries its hardest to come up with whatever excuse it can manage. Regardless of the effort required to perform the task, the brain puts up resistance.
I’ve found that, even though it still remains a problem or an inconvenience at the very least, ignoring my thoughts seems to work to a surprising extent. This is because once my mind is occupied, there’s no room to overthink. There’s no room to hesitate or question yourself. Additionally, in some scenarios like writing essays or completing a research paper, for example, the pressure to finish what you start can paralyze you. The mentality where “If I start, I have to do X amount of work” is just another excuse the brain comes up with to avoid work. However, this is where the advice that’s commonly thrown around comes into play: “Break the task down into smaller, more manageable parts.” Detaching the actual task from the act of starting makes it slightly easier to initiate. Yes, it’s a bit cliche, but if you can successfully apply it to your life, then it matters not.
And maybe, we should take initiative and start what needs to be started, lest we forget the ease that comes after overcoming the activation energy.
Life Update!
These past few days have been relatively uneventful. I'm jealous of my siblings in China because they're able to visit family, eat good food, and see the many attractions that China has to offer. But that's alright, because at home, things are going alright. My summer camps are inching closer and after a relatively busy few weeks, it feels like I finally have a moment of respite. However, it will soon disappear as I pack and head off to summer camps, and as I start to prepare my college application packages. We'll just have to see how it goes.
Have fun!
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