Do short tasks first when the to-do list is long
Datum: 2025-06-16 08:24
Do you usually begin by doing the short, simple tasks you have on your to-do list when the list of tasks is long and you have a lot to do? I do, and if you do as well, we are both on the right track if we want to be efficient according to the study ”Task Selection and Workload: A Focus on Completing Easy Tasks Hurts Performance” by the researchers Singh, Staats, Kouchaki, and Gino.
For you who prefer listening to reading, this post is also available as an episode of the “Done!” podcast:
The researchers noticed that the participants tended to select short, simple tasks when they had a lot to do — a phenomenon the researchers chose to call “Task Completion Bias” (TCB). They found that being able to tick items off the list quickly increased the sense of wellbeing in the participants, which in turn resulted in that they got more done — meaning, they actually became more efficient.
But, the researchers also found a negative aspect of this bias towards doing simple tasks first which explains the contradiction in the title of the study. If we only choose to do simple things, we will miss out on the experience and learning we gain when doing things we find difficult or that are new to us. Our long-term efficiency would suffer if we only do what comes easy. Therefore, as always, we are wise to do everything in moderation.
Bearing that in mind, we can still make use of the results from the study when we are overloaded with work and need to get some encouragement in terms of making progress.
Do this
When you are up to your neck in work and the to-do list is long, begin by doing some simple, short tasks.
If you want to make it easy to find the right tasks to get started with, categorize or label your tasks with the time you estimate they will take to complete. Perhaps you have heard me say that I label my own to-do tasks with ”5”, ”15”, ”30”, and ”60”, which represents how long I think they will take to do.
When you want to find simple, short tasks to do at once, allow your digital to-do list to show you only today’s 5‑minute tasks (or look for the tasks labeled with “5” in the list if you keep it on regular paper).
Easy does it — but in moderation
If you start yourself and your day off with a few simple and short tasks when you have a lot in front of you that needs to get done, you will both be and feel more productive and efficient (at least short-term) according to the study mentioned above. I am sure you will not abuse this trick, and at times when you can or need to will continue to put your energy into more challenging tasks so that you keep learning and gain experience. That, as opposed to only doing what is easy, will do your efficiency good in the long run.
What’s your way?
How do you tackle a long and daunting to-do list? I’d love to hear your best tip! Feel free to email me and share your thoughts.
(Do you know why you shouldn’t mix ideas and to-do-tasks on the same list?)
There's more!
If you want more tips on how to create good structure at work, there are many ways to get that from me - in podcasts, videos, books, talks and other formats.
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