“Motivation often follows action, not the other way around.” — Charles Duhigg
We’ve all been there.
You want to get in shape, write a book, start a business, or clean the garage—but the task feels too big, too far away, too something. So you wait. You plan. You overthink.
And nothing happens.
But what if the problem isn’t you?
What if the real problem is that you’re trying to do too much up front?
The Power of the Minimum Viable Effort (MVE)
In the world of startups, there’s a concept called the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—the simplest version of a product that still delivers value. It’s how innovative companies avoid wasting years building something nobody wants.
There’s an equivalent for personal change: the Minimum Viable Effort.
This is the smallest, most doable action that still moves you meaningfully toward your goal. It’s not a shortcut—it’s a smart entry point. It creates momentum without overwhelm.
And it’s backed by science.
Cue–Routine–Reward: What Duhigg Taught Us
In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg breaks down how habits form using the cue–routine–reward loop. His research reveals something profound: most people don’t fail to build habits because they’re lazy—they fail because they try to do too much, too soon, with no apparent trigger or payoff.
Here’s how the loop works:
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Cue: A trigger that prompts your brain to enter automatic mode.
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Routine: The behavior itself.
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Reward: A payoff that helps the brain decide if the habit is worth keeping.
Want to build a writing habit? Don’t commit to 2 hours a day. Instead:
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Cue: Pour your morning coffee.
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Routine: Write one sentence.
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Reward: Check it off your list.
Duhigg found that small, consistent wins reinforce identity: I’m someone who writes. I’m someone who moves. I’m someone who follows through. And that identity shift fuels motivation.
Why the Smallest Step Is Often the Smartest
Consider this: every time you face a goal, your brain performs a risk-reward calculation.
Big effort? High risk of failure. High emotional resistance.
Small effort? Low risk. Low resistance. Easy to say yes.
Once you get started, your brain tends to keep going. That’s the Zeigarnik effect in action: we’re wired to want to complete what we begin. So the real win is starting—not finishing.
Real-Life Applications of MVE
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Fitness: Don’t aim for an hour at the gym. Do one push-up. One.
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Writing: Don’t start with a chapter. Write one messy paragraph.
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Decluttering: Don’t clean the whole garage. Toss one box.
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Budgeting: Don’t overhaul your finances. Move $5 to savings.
These aren’t gimmicks. They’re catalysts.
Each tiny win tells your brain: I did something. That builds the confidence and momentum to do more tomorrow.
The Hidden Gift: Emotional Proof
Here’s the magic: taking action, however small, creates emotional evidence.
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You stop waiting for motivation and start creating it.
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You stop feeling stuck and start feeling capable.
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You shift from procrastination to progress.
That shift changes everything.
How to Apply the Minimum Viable Effort Rule
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Name the outcome: What do you want? Be specific.
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Break it down: What’s the smallest helpful step forward?
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Make it obvious: Link it to an existing cue (after coffee, before email, etc.).
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Make it rewarding: Track it, celebrate it, or feel the win.
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Repeat tomorrow: Consistency > intensity.
It’s Not About Lowering the Bar
This isn’t about doing less forever. It’s about doing something today.
Once you act, you’re in motion. And once you’re in motion, you can correct, improve, and grow. But until you take that first step, you’re stuck.
Final Thought: Big Goals Need Small Beginnings
Duhigg’s work reminds us that change doesn’t begin with massive effort—it starts with small, strategic actions that feel so doable you can’t say no.
So if you want to write the book, launch the podcast, start the habit, or change your life…
Don’t ask: What’s the most significant step I can take?
Ask: What’s the smallest helpful step I will actually take today?
And take it.
