kick-start
verb

- to start or reinvigorate an activity, system, or process

(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

- to make something start to happen

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

kick-start
noun

- a metal bar that you push down forcefully with your foot to make the engine of a motorcycle start

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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WORD ORIGIN

Do you know anyone who needs two hours to wake up and get ready to leave for work in the morning? Do they need three alarm clocks to make sure they get up on time? Do they fall of out bed and crawl to the bathroom like a half-blind dog? Do they refuse to have a conversation until they've had four cups of coffee? Do they go to work with two different coloured socks at least once a week?

These are people who need to be kick-started, like a motorcycle, which is where the term comes from. The problem is figuring out how to kick-start such sleepyheads.

We asked around for advice and received a few tips, some which potentially violate Amnesty International's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, use these measures at your own risk:

-    pour Tabasco sauce on their eggs
-    serve them a Bloody Mary in a long drink glass
-    encourage the family dog to cuddle in bed with them
-    secretly turn off the water heater before you go to bed (make sure you're not the first one in the shower the next morning)
-    put on a Modern Talking CD at 6:00 a.m.
-    if you have children, especially ones who are musically inclined, have them practice an instrument first thing in the morning (drums are particularly effective)

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SYNONYMS
activate, arouse, engender, fire up, get going, impel, incite, initiate, instigate, institute, launch, light, rev up, rouse, spring, trigger, turn on

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation

"There will be resistance from some team members, so what's the best way to KICK-START the project?"