Getting Started Is the Hard Part (And AI Can Help)
Photo by Luke Southern on Unsplash.
Join the Project of the Week Community!
Every Thursday, I share a simple yet powerful action, habit, or project to help you boost your health, happiness, and overall well-being.
If you’ve been enjoying the Project of the Week newsletter, I’d love your help in spreading the word! Invite your friends and family to join us on this journey—just click HERE to sign up.
Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and growth!
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
This may be the first post in a series about using AI to support everyday productivity, but I want to start with something very simple, and very real:
For so many people, getting started is the hardest part.
This comes up all the time in my work with clients. It’s not that they don’t care. It’s not that they don’t know the task matters. It’s that the blank page, the unanswered email, the undefined starting point feels overwhelming. Sometimes paralyzing.
And this is one place where I’ve found AI can be genuinely helpful, not as a replacement for your thinking, but as a way to get over that initial hump.
Getting Started
Let’s start with emails.
Have you ever needed to write an email but just didn’t know what to say, or how to say it? Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe it feels emotional. Maybe you’re worried about the tone. Instead of staring at the screen, try this: open ChatGPT (or whatever tool you prefer) and just dump your thoughts.
Type everything you’re thinking. Or, if typing feels like too much, use voice-to-text and just say it out loud. Messy is fine. Rambling is fine. Then add a little guidance: “Help me rewrite this in a warm but professional tone,” or “Make this clear and concise.”
Chances are, you’ll get a solid starting point, and once you have that, sending the email suddenly feels doable.
Presentations are another big one.
If you need to create a presentation and don’t know where to begin, try opening your favorite AI tool and explaining what the presentation is about. What’s the goal? Who’s the audience? What topics do you want to cover? You don’t need to have it perfectly organized. Just get it out.
You can even say, “Help me outline this presentation,” or “Help me organize these ideas into a logical flow.” Having a structure as a starting point is often all it takes to move forward.
This can also work for activities or exercises you need to design. You can describe what you’re trying to create and ask the system to help lay it out. Again, you’re not handing over control. You’re creating a starting place.
For students, this is where I want to pause and add an important note.
If you’re in school, you need to be thoughtful and ethical about how you use AI. Always check your school’s policies, and when in doubt, ask your teacher or professor. That said, in my opinion, using AI to help generate an outline or clarify how to approach an assignment can sometimes be an okay way to get started, as long as you’re not using it to write the paper for you.
For example, if you’re stuck on an essay question and don’t know how to structure your response, you might ask for an outline or even for questions you could research and answer yourself. You could paste in the assignment and ask, “What questions should I be thinking about as I approach this?”
That still keeps the thinking, and the writing, yours.
If you’re unsure whether this is allowed, please ask first. That matters.
What I’ve seen again and again is this: once people know how to start, they’re far more likely to finish. The resistance softens. The task feels less intimidating. Momentum builds.
AI can’t do the work for you, but it can sit beside you and help you take the first step. And sometimes, that first step is everything.
I’m curious! Where has AI helped you get started?
And where do you still feel stuck?
This is just the beginning of the conversation.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're feeling excited about putting this strategy into action and could use a little extra accountability and support, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak is here to help! Designed to set you up for success, it’s the perfect tool to keep you on track and moving forward.
Let’s make progress together—because great results start with great planning!
A Note from Happy Spaces
Our goal is simple: to add value to your life. If you think this project will be helpful, here are some steps to set yourself up for success:
Estimate how long it will take—then double it. Giving yourself extra time helps reduce stress.
Schedule it on your calendar for the week ahead. Setting a specific date increases follow-through.
Break it up if it will take more than an hour. Tackling it in smaller steps makes it more manageable.
Make a list of every action needed before you start. A clear plan helps keep you on track.
Do what works for you—you don’t have to complete every part, just what adds value to your life.
Find an Accountability Partner—having support makes it easier to stay committed.
We understand that building new habits and systems can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. For additional support, visit HappySpacesBySarah.com and let’s make organizing and planning easier together.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
As the oldest of nine kids with two working parents, I grew up juggling many responsibilities at home. Organization and time management became my lifeline amidst the chaos.
I attended the Cornell Hotel School and pursued my childhood dream of working in the hospitality industry. In 2016, I launched Happy Spaces, combining my passion for structure and efficiency with helping others.
I love working with students to develop essential organizational, time management, and study skills. These skills empower them to reach their full potential, build confidence, and create a future they feel good about.