Plot each work session’s next move before you close the app

Ernest Hemingway believed the best way to stay productive was to stop writing when you still knew where to pick up. He’d finish work at the end of the day with a single line that pointed to what came next—what he called “building a bridge to the next morning.”

I learned this firsthand when I remade my garage into a home office. Late at night, I’d finish rearranging wiring diagrams—but instead of powering down, I’d jot a quick note about “install speakers next.” The next day, I walked right in, saw that single line, and knew exactly which drill bit to grab. That tiny moment saved me dozens of start-up delays.

This method mirrors how our brains form habits: leaving clear cues reduces friction and resistance. By scripting your first move before you stop, you transform “starting” from dread into a reflex—where you just do the next logical thing without deciding all over again.

You can try this soon: when you wrap up your current task, open your project note one last time, write the very next action you’ll take, and save. That’s your Hemingway Bridge. Tomorrow, open that note and you’ll skip straight to work without the usual startup friction. Try it tonight.