Tasks
Make a task smaller without making it vague
Updated August 2026 · 6 min read
Short version
- Small tasks name one observable action.
- Soft verbs such as handle, organize, and work on leave decisions hidden.
- If the first step still creates resistance, split it again without judgment.
Small is not the same as vague
“Do some admin” is short, but your brain still has to define it. A usable step removes that decision.
Name the object and the action: “Open the electricity bill email.”
Use visible verbs
Choose verbs you could observe another person doing.
- Open, find, place, write, send.
- Avoid manage, deal with, sort out, improve.
- Keep one verb per step when possible.
Keep shredding
If a step still feels sticky, that is information rather than a character test.
