It's an idea that spawned out of my swimming days when I was younger. Back then, I would only count every 4th lap or every 100m as a lap, and by doing so, turn a 160 lap 4km session into a 40 lap session. Now yes, this doesn't change the actual output required for the session, but it does make it far more manageable. Which allowed me to show up confident and ready, rather than anxious and overwhelmed, which lead to more sessions, and less self doubt.
Nowadays I use this same strategy in my business, creative and personal life, by creating small "sprints" for myself, tricking my brain into believing that a new behaviour is only a temporary change, just long enough for that behaviour to become a habit.