Do enough today that tomorrow does not begin from zero.

Starting from nothing is the most expensive part of any day’s work, so leaving something in place is a gift to tomorrow. Even a small amount of progress means there is a thread to pick up, a shape already there, a sense of what comes next. Coming to a blank start every morning means paying the full cost of beginning each time.

Before you stop for the day, do one more small thing that gives tomorrow a foothold. Sketch the outline, open the file, write the first sentence badly. It takes minutes and changes how the next morning feels.