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Why Do I Get Stuck Before I Even Start?

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Lesson Plan

Unlocking Task Initiation Mysteries

Participants will identify common psychological and practical barriers to task initiation and begin to develop self-awareness regarding their personal "stuck points."

Understanding why we get stuck is the first step towards overcoming procrastination and improving productivity. This lesson provides a foundation for developing effective strategies and fosters empathy for oneself and others facing similar challenges.

Audience

Adults

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and exploration of common barriers.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, The Start Line Standoff Slide Deck, One Word Task Feelings Warm-Up, and My Task Initiation Story Circle Discussion Guide

Prep

Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: One Word Task Feelings

10 minutes

  1. Begin with the One Word Task Feelings Warm-Up.
    2. Ask participants to share one word that describes how they feel when they anticipate starting a task.
    3. Briefly discuss common themes that emerge.

Step 2

Introduction: The Start Line Standoff

10 minutes

  1. Present the The Start Line Standoff Slide Deck, slides 1-3.
    2. Introduce the concept of task initiation and the feeling of being "stuck."
    3. Facilitate a brief open discussion on personal experiences with task initiation struggles.

Step 3

Exploring Barriers

20 minutes

  1. Continue with The Start Line Standoff Slide Deck, slides 4-8, which cover common psychological and practical barriers (e.g., fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of clarity, overwhelm).
    2. For each barrier, ask participants to reflect on whether they experience this barrier and how it manifests.
    3. Encourage participants to share examples in small groups or as a whole class, as they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Discussion: My Task Initiation Story Circle

15 minutes

  1. Transition to the My Task Initiation Story Circle Discussion Guide.
    2. Divide participants into small groups.
    3. Instruct groups to share their "task initiation stories" using the prompts provided in the discussion guide.
    4. Encourage active listening and empathy within groups.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways

5 minutes

  1. Bring the groups back together.
    2. Ask participants to share one new insight or realization they gained from the lesson.
    3. Briefly reiterate that understanding these barriers is the first step towards developing effective strategies, which will be explored in future sessions.
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Slide Deck

The Start Line Standoff

Why do we get stuck before we even begin?

Welcome participants and introduce the day's topic. Ask a rhetorical question to get them thinking.

What is Task Initiation?

It's the act of starting a task.

Sounds simple, right? But often, it's the hardest part.

We all face it – that invisible wall, that feeling of being stuck.

Explain what task initiation is and how common the struggle can be. Validate their feelings.

The Invisible Barriers

What stops us from taking that first step?

It's rarely about wanting to do the task.

It's about the hidden forces that hold us back.

Transition to the core problem we'll be exploring: the barriers. Encourage a moment of silent reflection.

Barrier 1: Fear of Failure

What if I mess up?

  • The pressure to be perfect
  • The fear of judgment
  • Avoiding the task protects us from potential failure

Introduce the first common psychological barrier. Ask participants to consider if this resonates with them.

Barrier 2: Perfectionism

If it's not perfect, why bother?

  • Setting impossibly high standards
  • Believing the first step must be flawless
  • Leads to endless planning, no doing

Discuss perfectionism as a specific manifestation of fear of failure or a barrier in its own right.

Barrier 3: Lack of Clarity

Where do I even start?

  • The task feels vague or undefined
  • No clear first step
  • Uncertainty paralyzes action

Shift to a more practical barrier. Ask if they've ever felt this sense of not knowing where to begin.

Barrier 4: Overwhelm

It's too much!

  • The task seems enormous
  • Too many steps, too many unknowns
  • Feeling flooded and shutting down

Address the feeling of being overwhelmed by large tasks. Emphasize that this is a common human response.

Recognizing Your Roadblocks

These barriers are common, and you're not alone.

Identifying what is stopping you is the key to moving forward.

Self-awareness is your superpower!

Summarize that these barriers are normal and the first step is recognizing them. Look for signs of understanding.

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Discussion

My Task Initiation Story Circle

Objective: To share personal experiences with task initiation barriers in a supportive group setting, fostering empathy and shared understanding.

Instructions:

  1. Form small groups (3-4 participants). Designate a timekeeper for your group to ensure everyone has a chance to share.
  2. Each person will take a turn sharing their "Task Initiation Story." Use the prompts below to guide your sharing. Listen actively and offer empathy, but avoid offering advice or solutions during this sharing phase.

Prompts for Sharing (choose one or more that resonate with you):

  • Think about a time recently when you felt stuck before starting a task. What was the task, and what thoughts or feelings were present for you at that moment?
  • Which of the barriers discussed today (Fear of Failure, Perfectionism, Lack of Clarity, Overwhelm) do you most often encounter when trying to start something new?
  • Describe a task you've put off. What do you imagine is the hardest part about starting it?
  • Have you ever surprised yourself by just starting a task you dreaded? What happened?

Group Reflection (after everyone has shared):

  • What common themes or feelings emerged in your group's stories?
  • Did hearing others' experiences make you feel differently about your own struggles with task initiation?
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Warm Up

One Word Task Feelings

Instructions:

When you think about starting a task, what is one word that describes how you feel?

Write your word down in the space below, or be ready to share it with the class.




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