# 403. How to do hard things (using psychology) Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology.md Podcast: [The Psychology of your 20s](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262) Published: 2026-04-04T16:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://omny.fm/shows/the-psychology-of-your-20-s/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/f842d9/podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/bc44988a-a82a-4291-ab8b-afdd01187fa8/47069124-b255-4083-9c97-b42100593ce7/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=39e2f432-53df-43b8-a7b9-afdd01187fc4 Processing state: processed JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262/episodes/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology Duration seconds: 2081 ## Resource The best things in life aren't always the easiest and it's often this exertion and extra effort that holds us back from diving in or fully committing. Whether it's a new routine, an ambitious study schedule or workout plan, knowing how we can use psychology and neuroscience to make hard tasks easier is incredibly valuable. In today's episode we discuss: • The 5 minute rule • The power of a persona • Using mental imagery and visualisation to do hard things • The power of learned industriousness • The 3 forms of motivation to know and implement This episode will make all the hard things you've been putting off infinitely easier. Listen now! Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @ thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262/episodes/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-psychology-of-your-20s-4434262/403-how-to-do-hard-things-using-psychology.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.