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Do you find yourself procrastinating on tasks you need to do? I would be surprised if you answered "No" to that question, as most of us do - at least some of the time. One common reason for procrastination may be that you have defined the task as too large or too unclear.

When you have many tasks to choose from, it is tempting to grab something short or easy instead of the diffuse large task - not least because you can tick it off soon.

Not always easy to divide

However, the larger tasks still need to be done. I have long known that a good way to get started on what I'm procrastinating on is to break it down into smaller steps. Yet, it may still happen that I procrastinate, because it feels laborious to do the breakdown itself.

But, you know what? You can get help with the breakdown from an AI service! I have tested it with several tasks and it works fine.

My complicated, large task

For example, I have had the task "Set SEO settings for the online courses" on my list for too long. It has yellowed a bit and become a little battered, because it has been sitting there and sitting there for so long. Every time I've seen it, I've thought, "I ought to just do it." But, it hasn't happened.

So, I turned to my ever-willing colleague ChatGPT and wrote: "I have a to-do task that I keep procrastinating on, which reads 'Set SEO settings for the online courses'. Can you help me break it down into smaller steps, so I can get started on it?" ChatGPT answered "Absolutely!" and gave me seven smaller steps in a jiffy that I can take one by one. It immediately felt more doable and I felt like getting started right away.

Here's how

Are you also tired of procrastinating on some tasks? Use ChatGPT to help you too.

1. If you don't already have one, create an account on ChatGPT.
2. Phrase your question as if you were talking to a friendly colleague (who isn't particularly touchy).
3. If the answers you receive are not good enough, ask follow-up questions and be amazed that ChatGPT understands that you have higher demands and delivers accordingly.
4. When you notice that it is more tempting to get started on the task than to procrastinate, you are ready. Thank ChatGPT for the help and get to work!

Lighter workload

If you use ChatGPT to help you when you tend to procrastinate on a task, you will get started faster. It may even be less laborious than if you were to break down the task yourself. Instead of becoming increasingly burdened by tasks hanging over you, you get going and your workload is significantly reduced.

What about you?

What have you used ChatGPT for? Please tell me, because I want all the help I can get in my job - whether it's from other people or from smart systems that happily do what I don't feel like doing.

(Speaking of procrastinating, here are my four tricks to help you prioritize important, big tasks when the short ones feel tempting!)

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