If it's any help, one of the statements that stuck with me the most about "doing the thing" is from Amy Hoy:

> You know perfectly well how to achieve things without motivation.[1]

I'll also note that I'm a firm believer in removing the mental load of fake desires: If you think you want the result, but you don't actually want to do the process to get to the result, you should free yourself and stop assuming you want the result at all. Forcing that separation frees up energy and mental space for moving towards the few things you want enough.

1: https://stackingthebricks.com/how-do-you-stay-motivated-when...

> I keep gravitating to the term, "prompt adherence", because it feels like it describes the root meta-problem I have: I can set up a system, but I can't seem to get myself to follow it for more than a few days - including especially a system to set up and maintain systems. I feel that if I could crack that, set up this "habit that monitors the process of adding habits" and actually stick to it long-term, I could brute-force my way out of every other problem.

Executive function.

For what it’s worth, I’ve fallen into the trap of building an “ideal” system that I don’t use. Whether that’s a personal knowledge db , automations for tracking habits, etc.

The thing I’ve learned is for a new habit, it should have really really minimal maintenance and minimal new skill sets above the actual habit. Start with pen and paper, and make small optimizations over time. Only once you have engrained the habit of doing the thing, should you worry about optimizing it

I've felt this way all my life. I was recently tested/diagnosed in mid-life with ADHD. It explains so much of my life experience so far.