You know that 10-minute task, the mythical creature of the to-do list jungle. So small. So harmless. “Should only take 10 minutes,” you think. And then… it sits there. For days. Weeks. Sometimes long enough that it evolves into something bigger, scarier, and now definitely not a 10-minute job.
Why does this happen? Why do we put off simple tasks like sending that email, doing our self assessment or finally ironing that laundry mountain threatening to become a local landmark?
I know I am guilty of this, particularly with outside tasks that I actually enjoy like planting and yet by the time I have got through the work list for the day, at this time of the year, it’s too dark and cold to go outside; well that’s my excuse anyway…
1. Our Brains Love Drama, Not Maintenance
The human brain is a drama queen. It loves big, exciting things like launching projects, planning vacations, starting a side hustle. But everyday tasks like changing a lightbulb or booking a haircut? Boring. Tedious. I’ll do it tomorrow.
Why would our brains waste precious energy on something that won’t make us feel like we’ve just completed a half marathon? Instead, we convince ourselves it can wait… and wait… until suddenly you’re working by candlelight because that bulb blew two months ago and you didn’t go to the B&M before it shut.
2. “Future Me” Can Definitely Handle It
There’s this wildly capable version of ourselves that lives just slightly in the future. Future Me wakes up early, drinks green smoothies, and finishes tasks immediately. Future Me is a productivity machine that purrs like a Ferrari Daytona…
Sadly, Present Me is spinning multiple plates, and by the time future me arrives… she looks suspiciously like present me. The task gets pushed again. And again. Until even Future Me gives up and joins Present Me on the couch staring at this laptop.
3. We’re Terrible at Time Perception
“It’ll take ages.”
“I need a good solid chunk of time.”
“I’ll do it when I’m in the right headspace.”
Meanwhile, the task would literally take less time than feeding the pets in the morning. Maybe it’s because my brain is wired to overestimate effort for small tasks, especially ones that don’t give us instant rewards. Sending that email feels monumental because we imagine it spiraling: What if they reply? What if I have to think? What if I accidentally hit “reply all” and now I’m “that” person?
4. The Hidden Emotional Tax
Some 10-minute tasks aren’t just about time—they come with an emotional surcharge. That “quick” phone call might mean finally facing the overdue bill or awkwardly explaining to your neighbour why you still haven’t given them back the saw they left in your garden.
Avoiding that discomfort? Understandable. Until the avoidance feels worse than the task itself.
5. Because We Can
Let’s be honest — modern life allows us to procrastinate with almost zero consequences… at first. The leaves can wait to be raked one more day. The pile of ironing won’t fall quite yet. That text? They’ll survive. We’ve built entire coping systems around avoidance, including online shopping, binge-watching, and eating snacks “to fuel up” for the task (which still doesn’t get done).
So… What Do We Do About It?
Honestly? Sometimes you just laugh at yourself, get up, and do the thing before your brain invents another excuse.
Here’s a trick:
The Two-Minute Rule: If it takes less than two minutes, do it now. (And if it takes 10… lie to yourself and say it’s two. No one will know and you can reward yourself with a quick scroll on the “gainsline” fitness profile…)
Or try “Temptation Bundling” do the boring task while doing something fun. Iron while watching “Emily in Paris”. Reply to that email while sipping the fanciest coffee you can make at home (the Toffee and Nut sachet together with a large heaped teaspoon of American instant works quite nicely).
You’re not lazy. You’re human. And your brain is way too talented at turning molehills into mountains. But hey, that 10-minute task? You’ll probably knock it out faster than it took to read this blog.
How do you cope with growing items on your job list that you can’t face?
Photo by Thomas Bormans
