Growth Instigators Hotline

#484 A Couch: Inertia

• Aaron Havens • Season 5 • Episode 484

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Ever notice how a couch can feel like quicksand? One minute you’re pausing to breathe, and the next you’ve negotiated “just one more episode” into an entire evening. We unpack that sticky pull of inertia—why getting up feels harder than it should—and share practical ways to turn comfort into forward motion without shaming rest.

I open up about being wired for movement, the long task lists, and the swing that happens when I finally stop. That pendulum effect is real: the effort it takes to sit down can mirror the effort it takes to stand back up. Rather than glorifying hustle or guilt-tripping relaxation, we talk about calibrated transitions that honor health and purpose. You’ll hear simple tools like setting pre-commitments before you rest, creating five-minute activation steps, and using visual cues so the couch becomes a prompt for choice, not a trap.

We also explore identity—how detaching worth from sheer output helps you choose actions that serve your life and leadership. Two guiding questions frame the conversation: where is inertia helping you, and where is it hurting you? From consistent routines that run on autopilot to sneaky habits that keep you coasting, you’ll learn how to edit your loops and reclaim momentum. Along the way, I invite you to get an extra set of eyes on your patterns, because sometimes change begins when someone else helps you see clearly.

If this resonates, subscribe and share it with a friend who might need a nudge. And if you want support redirecting inertia in your life and leadership, reach out at aaron at growth instigators.com. Your minutes carry meaning—let’s choose where they go.

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SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to message 484 of the Growth Instigators Hotline where we examine an everyday normal object and assign it a deeper meaning. I'm Aaron Havens, your host and growth coach. What can a couch remind us of today? So here's the picture. You totally relaxed on the couch. Yep. You just watched one more episode and you're contemplating just watching one more episode. You know you need to do something else, you're just having a hard time getting to it. So here's the truth: getting up is the hardest part. Not because it's complicated, but because inertia is comfortable. I move a lot, I work a lot, my body seems to be in perpetual motion, and my task list is always long. I'm wired like that. I've learned to find health in that. That's not my identity. I've done a lot of internal work to determine what is healthy and what is not. Sometimes I will admit I'm working too much and I'll pull back as soon as possible. So when I finally do sit on a couch or let down enough to get comfortable, all momentum stops. And like a pendulum swing, I swing in the opposite direction. I contemplate never moving again and making that my forever spot. Not because it's complicated, but because inertia is comfortable. I'm already in motion or lack of motion, so getting up takes a ton of effort. Just like stopping took a ton of effort just to sit down. What about you, friends? Where is inertia helping or hurting you today? What is an aspect of your life where you know it's time to stop the inertia and you're just waiting for enough motivation to change the reality? As you look at a couch today, may it be an inspiration to control the controllables. Do what you can to put meaning behind your minutes that you live today. Whatever that looks like for you. If you need help changing inertia in your life and leadership, I can help. Your life is too valuable to just coast along. Sometimes we just need another set of ears or eyes on something to help growth happen. Shoot me a text or send me an email at aaron at growth instigators.com if that's you. Here's to creating and redirecting inertia today. Here's to growth.