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Starting Strong: Task Initiation

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Lesson Plan

Starting Strong: Task Initiation

Students will be able to define task initiation, identify common barriers to starting tasks, and apply a simple strategy to overcome procrastination within a 15-minute advisory session.

Learning to initiate tasks effectively is a vital life skill that helps students manage their schoolwork, personal projects, and future responsibilities. This lesson provides practical, immediate strategies.

Audience

9th Grade Advisory Class

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, quick self-reflection, and introduction of the '3-2-1 Go!' strategy.

Materials

Starting Strong: Task Initiation Slide Deck, Warm Up: Get Started Gauge, and Cool Down: One Minute Action Plan

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm Up: Get Started Gauge (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm Up: Get Started Gauge to engage students and introduce the concept of task initiation.
    - Ask students to quickly rate how easy it is for them to start tasks and share their thoughts briefly with a partner or the class.

Step 2

What is Task Initiation? (4 minutes)

4 minutes

  • Use the Starting Strong: Task Initiation Slide Deck to define task initiation and discuss common barriers (e.g., feeling overwhelmed, perfectionism, distractions).
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion: "What makes it hard for you to start things?"

Step 3

Strategy: The 3-2-1 Go! Rule (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Introduce the '3-2-1 Go!' strategy using the Starting Strong: Task Initiation Slide Deck. Explain how counting down and immediately starting for just a few minutes can break the inertia.
    - Provide a quick example and ask students to think of one small task they need to start today.

Step 4

Cool Down: One Minute Action Plan (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Conclude with the Cool Down: One Minute Action Plan.
    - Have students write down one task they will apply the '3-2-1 Go!' rule to, and how they anticipate it will help them. Collect as an exit ticket or have them share with a partner.
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Slide Deck

Starting Strong: Task Initiation

Overcoming the "Just Can't Start" Feeling

Today, we'll explore why starting tasks can be so hard and learn a simple trick to kick things off!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that today's short session is about how to get started on tasks, which can be tough for everyone sometimes. Remind them of the Warm Up activity: Get Started Gauge.

What is Task Initiation?

It's the ability to start a task, even when you don't feel like it.

Think about it: Do you ever have something important to do, but you just... don't start? That's what we're talking about!

Ask students: "What does 'task initiation' mean to you?" Allow a few moments for responses. Then provide the definition. Emphasize that it's the first step that's often the hardest.

Why is it so hard to start?

Common Barriers:

  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Not knowing where to begin
  • Fear of failure or imperfection
  • Lack of motivation
  • Distractions (phones, friends, other interests)

Prompt students: "What are some reasons we avoid starting tasks?" (e.g., too big, don't know where to start, worried about failure, distractions, boredom). Discuss a few common barriers.

The 3-2-1 Go! Rule

A Simple Strategy to Get Started:

  1. Pick ONE task. (Make it specific!)
  2. Count down from 3. (Mentally or out loud)
  3. At "Go!" start the task for just 3-5 minutes.

The goal isn't to finish, but to simply begin and build momentum.

Introduce the 3-2-1 Go! rule. Explain it's about building momentum, not completing the whole task immediately. The goal is just to start for a short, defined period (e.g., 5 minutes).

Your Turn: Practice It!

Think of one task you've been putting off. It could be:

  • Starting homework
  • Cleaning your space
  • Reading a chapter
  • Beginning a project

How can you use the 3-2-1 Go! Rule to get started on it today?

Let's discuss it in our Cool Down!

Ask students to think of a task they can apply this to today. Encourage them to try it out. Connect to the Cool Down activity. Emphasize that it's a practice, and it gets easier.

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Warm Up

Warm Up: Get Started Gauge

Instructions: On a scale of 1 to 5, how easy is it for you to start tasks, even when you don't feel like it? (1 = Very Hard, 5 = Very Easy)




Quick Reflection: Why did you choose that number? What usually makes it hard or easy for you to get going?







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Cool Down

Cool Down: One Minute Action Plan

Instructions: Think about one specific task you need to start soon (e.g., homework, a chore, preparing for a test). How will you use the 3-2-1 Go! Rule to get started on it?

Task I will apply 3-2-1 Go! to:



How do I think this rule will help me?






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Starting Strong: Task Initiation • Lenny Learning