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Why Can't I Just Start?

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Genesis Utz

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Unlocking Task Initiation

Students will identify common psychological barriers to task initiation and explore practical strategies to overcome procrastination.

Understanding why we procrastinate is the first step to overcoming it. This lesson provides students with self-awareness and initial tools to tackle challenging tasks and improve their executive function skills.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and strategy application.

Materials

The Procrastination Puzzle (slide-deck), Brain Freeze Challenge (warm-up), My Starting Line Stories (discussion), and Barrier Buster Blueprint (worksheet)

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Unlocking Task Initiation Lesson Plan, The Procrastination Puzzle Slide Deck, Brain Freeze Challenge Warm-Up, My Starting Line Stories Discussion, and Barrier Buster Blueprint Worksheet.
    - Ensure access to a projector or interactive whiteboard for the slide deck.
    - Prepare any necessary writing materials for students (pens/pencils, paper).

Step 1

Warm-Up: Brain Freeze Challenge

10 minutes

  1. Begin with the Brain Freeze Challenge Warm-Up to get students thinking about common challenges in starting tasks.
    2. Facilitate a brief discussion based on their responses, connecting it to the idea of 'brain freeze' when faced with something new or difficult.
    3. Introduce the lesson's objective: to understand why starting tasks can be hard and learn ways to make it easier. (Refer to The Procrastination Puzzle Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Step 2

Understanding the 'Why': The Procrastination Puzzle

15 minutes

  1. Present The Procrastination Puzzle Slide Deck (Slides 2-5) to explain common psychological barriers to task initiation (e.g., fear of failure, perfectionism, overwhelm).
    2. Use relatable examples and ask guiding questions to encourage student participation and self-reflection.
    3. Emphasize that these feelings are normal and common.

Step 3

Share & Connect: My Starting Line Stories

15 minutes

  1. Transition to the My Starting Line Stories Discussion.
    2. Divide students into small groups or facilitate a whole-class discussion, allowing them to share personal experiences with task initiation barriers.
    3. Guide them to connect their experiences with the psychological barriers discussed in the slide deck.

Step 4

Strategy Spotlight: Barrier Buster Blueprint

10 minutes

  1. Introduce practical strategies to overcome task initiation barriers, using The Procrastination Puzzle Slide Deck (Slides 6-8). Examples include: breaking tasks down, setting small goals, using the 5-minute rule, removing distractions.
    2. Distribute the Barrier Buster Blueprint Worksheet.
    3. Students will work individually on the worksheet to apply a strategy to a personal task they've been avoiding.
    4. Conclude by reinforcing the idea that consistent practice of these strategies can lead to improved task initiation.
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Slide Deck

The Procrastination Puzzle

Why is it so hard to get started?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them if they ever feel 'stuck' when trying to start something.

Brain Freeze: What Is It?

It's that feeling when you know you need to do something, but you just can't seem to make yourself start. It's like your brain freezes up!

Explain that procrastination isn't always about laziness. Often, there are deeper reasons. Introduce 'Brain Freeze' as a common feeling.

Barrier 1: Fear of Failure/Perfectionism

• "What if I mess up?"
• "It has to be perfect, or it's not worth starting."
• This worry can stop us before we even begin.

Discuss fear of failure or not being perfect. Ask students if they've ever avoided starting because they were worried about the outcome.

Barrier 2: Feeling Overwhelmed

• "There's too much to do!"
• "Where do I even begin?"
• When a task feels too big, we often just avoid it.

Talk about feeling overwhelmed by a big task. Emphasize that it's normal to feel this way and the task seems too big.

Barrier 3: Lack of Clarity

• "I don't know what the first step is."
• "I'm not sure what to do next."
• Confusion about the process can prevent us from initiating.

Introduce the idea of lack of clarity. If students don't know how to start, it's easy to not start at all. Ask for examples of tasks where they felt unsure how to begin.

Strategy 1: Break It Down!

• Big tasks can feel scary. Break them into smaller, manageable steps.
• Example: Instead of "Write Essay," think "Brainstorm," "Outline," "Write Intro."

Introduce the first strategy: breaking down tasks. Use a simple analogy like eating an elephant one bite at a time. Provide examples.

Strategy 2: The 5-Minute Rule

• Tell yourself you only have to work on the task for 5 minutes.
• Often, once you start, you'll want to keep going!
• It's all about tricking your brain into getting started.

Explain the 5-minute rule. It's about building momentum. Ask students to think of a task they could start for just 5 minutes.

Strategy 3: Create Your Launchpad

• Minimize distractions: put away your phone, close unnecessary tabs.
• Set up your workspace so everything you need is ready.
• A clear space often leads to a clear mind for starting.

Discuss removing distractions and creating a conducive environment. Ask students what their biggest distractions are.

You've Got This!

• Recognizing why you delay is powerful.
• Trying new strategies takes practice.
• Small steps lead to big progress!

Conclude by encouraging students to try these strategies and to be patient with themselves. Reiterate that practice makes progress.

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Warm Up

Brain Freeze Challenge

Instructions: Think about a time when you knew you needed to start a task (homework, chores, a project), but you just couldn't bring yourself to do it. It felt like your brain just froze up!

Write down your answers to the questions below.


  1. What was the task you were trying to start?






  2. What was the first thought that came into your head when you realized you had to do it?






  3. What did that "brain freeze" feeling feel like? (e.g., overwhelming, confusing, scary, boring)






  4. What did you do instead of starting the task?






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Discussion

My Starting Line Stories

Instructions: In small groups or as a class, discuss the following questions. Be ready to share your thoughts and experiences.

  1. Thinking about the "Brain Freeze Challenge" warm-up, how many of you have felt that exact feeling when trying to start a task? What kind of tasks usually trigger it for you?





  2. We just talked about different psychological barriers like fear of failure, feeling overwhelmed, or lack of clarity. Can you think of a time when one of these barriers specifically stopped you from starting something? Share your "starting line story" with your group.










  3. When you feel a "brain freeze" coming on, what's your immediate reaction or what do you tend to do? (e.g., distract yourself, complain, try to force it, give up)





  4. Based on what we've discussed, what's one thing you've realized about why it's hard for you to start tasks that you hadn't considered before?





  5. How might understanding these barriers help you approach a difficult task differently next time?





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Worksheet

Barrier Buster Blueprint

Instructions: Think of one task you've been putting off or find difficult to start. Use this worksheet to plan how you'll overcome the "brain freeze" and get started!

My Challenging Task:



  1. What specific psychological barrier(s) are stopping you from starting this task? (Check all that apply and explain briefly)

    • Fear of Failure/Perfectionism:


    • Feeling Overwhelmed:


    • Lack of Clarity:


    • Other (Please explain):





  2. Choose ONE strategy from our lesson today that you think will be most helpful for this task. (Circle one)

    • Break It Down!
    • The 5-Minute Rule
    • Create Your Launchpad (Remove distractions/prepare workspace)






  3. Now, create your "Barrier Buster Blueprint" using the strategy you chose:

    • If you chose "Break It Down!": List at least 3 smaller, super-easy-to-start steps for your task.













    • If you chose "The 5-Minute Rule": What is the very first thing you will do for just 5 minutes? How will you set a timer and remind yourself it's only 5 minutes?











    • If you chose "Create Your Launchpad": What specific distractions will you remove? How will you organize your space to make starting easier?











  4. When will you try out your Barrier Buster Blueprint? (Set a specific day and time)



  5. What is one positive feeling or outcome you hope to experience by successfully initiating this task?






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