Real focus feels slow for the first ten minutes. That’s the toll, not a sign you’re doing it wrong.

Getting into deep attention has an entry cost, and that cost arrives as dullness, restlessness and a strong sense that this is not working. People quit inside that window, decide they cannot concentrate, and go and find something faster. The slowness is the price of admission rather than evidence of failure. Past it, the work starts moving on its own.

Promise yourself the full ten minutes this week before you are allowed to judge a session. Set a timer, do not stop for anything inside it, and write down afterwards what was happening at minute twelve. After a few goes you will stop believing the early boredom.