I feel like this works best for people who really value their reputation, have ego issues or don’t shoulder guilt or disappointment well.

When I was a teenager, I’d often lie for no reason. Well, it wasn’t really for no reason, I was insecure and felt more comfortable curating a different image of myself. Unfortunately, Catholic guilt goes craaaaazy and my lies would eat me up. After some Olympic level mental gymnastics, I came to the realization that the persona I had built up wouldn’t be a lie if I made it true. Then proceeded to get myself into all kinds of trouble quite literally fleshing out and bringing to life all my lies.

For example, I once tried to subtly pass off a mildly altered screenshot of a favourite character of mine as something I’d painted (I was like 13 relax). Someone obviously called me out on my bullshit, but instead of taking it down, fessing up or idk just blocking the person, I proceeded to double down and spend hours recording a step by step process of me panting a piece to the same likeness. In the end, I (unethically) beat the accusation, made the lie true and got a painting out of it that I didn’t even realize was in my skillset to create.

So, I figure this method could be intentionally weaponized for other productive pursuits:

Are you a student/researcher struggling to get your work done? Lie to your supervisor, in detail, about how you’ve finished your work and schedule a meeting to review it with them.

Are you a creative struggling with artist’s block? Lie to your peers, abundantly, about an exciting project you just finished and set a date for when you’re going to share it with them.

Are you a person that for some reason can’t find the motivation to pursue your passions or adopt new routines? Lie to a new friend or crush that you play bass guitar, run marathons, design your own clothes etc., then get your ass moving to compile that evidence, adopt that routine or develop that skill.

Hot-wiring yourself into action, might not be the most ethical way to start a car but it’ll still get you where you’re going.