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Welcome back to You Got a Minute by LifeAt. If you’re new here, you can get caught up by checking out our blog here!

You sit down to start your work… but first, you decide to clean up your desk. Maybe you need to find the perfect productivity playlist. Or create a detailed project plan. Or redesign your todo list until the vibes are immaculate. Before you know it, two hours have passed.. and you haven’t actually done anything…

Sound familiar? Welcome to The Prep Trap! Where we think we’re being productive, but we’re actually just avoiding the real work. Let’s talk about why this happens and how to break free from it.

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📌 What Is the Prep Trap?

The Prep Trap is when you over-prepare, over-plan, and over-optimize instead of actually taking action. It feels productive, but it’s really perfectionism in disguise.

Maybe some examples will help:

• Instead of writing, you create the perfect content calendar.

• Instead of starting your project, you spend hours researching the best tools to use.

• Instead of tackling your to-do list, you redesign your to-do list.

• The problem? Preparation is useful… until it becomes avoidance. 😥

🧐 Why We Fall Into the Prep Trap

Our brains love preparation because it gives us the illusion of progress without any of the real risk. But risk is where we find our footing and get input on our goals. How can you ever know you’re successful when you’re not sure if you’re on the right path?

• It feels productive. Planning is a low-effort way to feel like we’re accomplishing something. It can be great to get an idea of our day, but too much planning isn’t always the best solution.

• It removes discomfort. The actual doing part of a task is hard. Prepping? Not so much. Sometimes we overprep as a way of channeling our anxiety.

• It keeps us from failing. If we never start, we can’t mess up. (Spoiler: this is just fear talking. Your anxiety is not who you are.)

The reality? You don’t need to be more prepared - you can do difficult things!

🛠️ How to Escape the Prep Trap & Get Things Done

1. Use the “Action-First” Rule

If you find yourself preparing instead of doing, flip the order: take action first, plan later.

• Want to start a substack? Write the first post and schedule it to post later that week before closing your laptop.

• Need to study? Open your notes and start reading before color-coding anything (put the Mildliners down).

• Want to launch a project? Do one small task today instead of researching for hours (like creating the project proposal docs.)

🔹 The Rule: If prep takes longer than 10 minutes, stop and start doing.

2. Set a Prep Time Limit

Planning is fine! (As long as it doesn’t take over.) If you’re struggling to lock in

• ⏰ Give yourself 15-30 minutes to plan, then move into execution mode.

• ⏳ Set a timer if needed to prevent endless research spirals.

• 🎬 Use the 80/20 rule: Only 20% of your time should go into prep while 80% should be action.

3. Done Is Better Than Perfect

If you’re caught in “it’s not ready yet” thinking, remember: you can always improve later. The most important part of growing is knowing it’s okay to not be immediately perfect with something. Practice, forward momentum, and friendly feedback will shape the way your skill grows. So, if you’re able, start with:

• 📨 Sending the scary email, even if it’s not perfectly worded.

• 👀 Posting the project updates, even if they aren’t 100% refined.

• 🚀 Suggesting the idea, even if it’s not fully formed.

Most of the time, progress happens through iteration, not endless planning and stalling.

4. Ask Yourself: Am I Prepping or Avoiding?

A quick mindset shift can help break the cycle. Before diving into “prep mode,” be real and ask:

• Is this actually necessary, or am I stalling?

• Will this planning step move me forward, or is it just busywork?

• Can I start with any action right now instead?

The more honest you are with yourself, the easier it is to stop over-preparing and start executing.

5. Create Before You Consume

Instead of researching the best productivity method, focus on what actually helps you work.

• Set a daily rule: No “productivity content” (blogs, podcasts, videos) until you’ve actually completed a task.

• Limit your tool-switching. Pick a system and stick with it. Don’t keep bouncing between Notion, Todoist, and a dozen other apps.

• Work with what you have. You don’t need one more thing to be productive, you just need to start.

LifeAt: Focus with joy

LifeAt is your productivity hub, offering a Pomodoro timer, 1,000+ focus spaces, and soundboards to create your ideal work environment. Task lists, project tools, and a calendar keep you organized and on track.

Reader Spotlight ❤️

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Real or AI 🤖

Last week, we asked y’all to take a stroll through a dreamy vintage library. 87% of you were REAL sus about all the brown books in Image 2 - y’all were right! Image 1 was the REAL bookstore (and yes! it was Shakespeare & Co in Paris 🥖 🇫🇷)

This week, the sun is warm, flowers are blooming, and a cozy picnic blanket is spread across the grass. A basket filled with fresh fruit and pastries sits nearby, inviting you to relax and soak in the perfect first day of spring. It’s almost too picture-perfect… but is it real?

One of these images captures an actual spring picnic, while the other is AI’s take on the ultimate outdoor escape. Look closely and vote- can you spot the real one? 🌸☀️🍓

Perfection isn’t required. Momentum is - even if it’s slow. So let’s break free from The Prep Trap and get sh*t done.

See you in motion,

rorrie 🌱 & devin 🌎