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Why So Hard To Start?

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Lesson Plan

Unlocking Task Initiation Lesson

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

Fosters self-awareness and provides universal tools for all students to manage their work effectively.

Audience

7th Grade Class

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided reflection, and practical strategy brainstorming.

Materials

Small whiteboards or paper for students, Markers or pens, The Starting Line Slide Deck, My Starting Struggles Circle, and Brainstorming My Start Strategies

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: The 'Start' Struggle (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "Raise your hand if you've ever had trouble starting a task, even when you know you need to do it." (Almost everyone will raise their hand.)
  • Say: "Today, we're going to talk about 'task initiation' – that's a fancy way of saying 'starting our work.' We'll explore why it's so hard sometimes and what we can do about it."
  • Project The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 1.

Step 2

Introduction to Task Initiation (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Display The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Task Initiation?
  • Lead a brief discussion using the prompts from the slide.
  • Display The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 3: Common Barriers.
  • Explain each barrier (e.g., overwhelming tasks, fear of failure, distractions, lack of interest) and ask students for quick examples (e.g., "What makes a task feel overwhelming?").
  • Transition to the next activity by saying: "Now that we've seen some common reasons, let's think about our own experiences."

Step 3

My Starting Struggles Circle Discussion (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute whiteboards/paper and markers.
  • Explain the activity using My Starting Struggles Circle.
  • Guide students through the prompts, encouraging them to share their thoughts and listen actively to their peers. Emphasize that this is a safe space for sharing common challenges.
  • Ensure that students are rotating and discussing with different peers as instructed in the My Starting Struggles Circle material.
  • Facilitate a brief whole-class share-out of common themes or surprising discoveries.

Step 4

Brainstorming My Start Strategies (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of strategies to overcome these barriers.
  • Display The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 4: Simple Strategies.
  • Explain and briefly discuss each strategy (e.g., breaking it down, setting a timer, removing distractions, finding a hook).
  • Distribute the Brainstorming My Start Strategies worksheet.
  • Instruct students to work individually to complete the worksheet, applying the strategies to their own

Step 5

Warm-Up Review (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Ask a few students to share their personal 'struggles' with the class. Create a quick, informal list on the board.
  • Affirm that these struggles are common and that everyone experiences them.
  • Project The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 5: You're Not Alone!

Step 6

Closing and Reflection (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display The Starting Line Slide Deck - Slide 6: Your Starting Line.
  • Have students complete an exit ticket: "One new barrier I understand about task initiation is..." and "One strategy I will try this week to start my work is..."
  • Collect exit tickets. Reiterate the importance of trying these strategies and that practice makes progress. Say: "Remember, the hardest part is often just taking that first step. You've got this!"
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Slide Deck

The Starting Line: Getting Started

Ever stare at a blank page or a big assignment and just... can't start? You're not alone! Today, we're talking about 'task initiation' – the art of getting started. Let's conquer procrastination together!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of task initiation. Connect it to their personal experiences.

What is Task Initiation?

It's simply the act of beginning a task or activity.

Why is it often the hardest part?

  • What comes to mind when you hear 'task initiation'?
  • When have you felt really stuck trying to start something?

Define task initiation clearly. Ask students for their initial thoughts on why starting can be hard.

Common Barriers to Starting

What stops us from taking that first step?

  • Overwhelm: The task feels too big or complex.
  • Fear of Failure/Perfectionism: What if I mess up?
  • Lack of Interest: It's just... boring.
  • Distractions: So many other interesting things to do!
  • Unclear Instructions: Not sure where to begin.
  • Low Energy/Motivation: Just don't feel like it.

Present common barriers. For each, give a quick example or ask students for examples to make it relatable.

Simple Strategies to Start Strong

Small steps lead to big progress!

  • Break It Down: Turn a big task into tiny, manageable steps.
  • Set a Timer: Work for 5-10 minutes, then take a short break.
  • Remove Distractions: Put your phone away, close extra tabs.
  • Find a Hook: How can you make it interesting or connect it to something you care about?
  • Just Start (Anywhere!): Don't aim for perfect, just aim for done (the first step).
  • Reward Yourself: Plan a small treat after you start.

Introduce simple strategies. Emphasize that these are tools to try, not instant fixes.

You're Not Alone!

Everyone struggles with task initiation sometimes.

  • It's a common challenge, not a personal failing.
  • The goal is to build a toolkit of strategies that work for YOU.
  • Practice makes progress!

Reiterate that these struggles are universal and it's okay to need help.

Your Starting Line

What's one thing you'll try today or this week to start your work?

  • Think about a task you've been putting off.
  • Choose ONE strategy from today's discussion.
  • Commit to taking that first small step!

Let's get started!

Encourage students to commit to trying at least one strategy. Use the exit ticket idea from the lesson plan.

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Discussion

My Starting Struggles Circle

Objective: To share personal experiences with task initiation challenges and realize that these struggles are common.

Instructions:

  1. Form Groups: You will start in small groups of 3-4 students.
  2. Round 1: Share a Struggle (3 minutes per person)
    • Each person in the group will take a turn sharing one specific task (e.g., homework, chores, a project) that they often find hard to start.
    • Briefly explain why it's hard to start that particular task.
    • Example: "I find it really hard to start my math homework because the problems look overwhelming, and I'm not sure where to begin."
  3. Round 2: Listen & Relate (2 minutes per person)
    • Rotate to a new group (your teacher will give instructions).
    • In your new group, one person shares their biggest struggle from the previous round.
    • Others in the group share if they have ever felt a similar struggle and why.
  4. Round 3: Common Themes (5 minutes)
    • Rotate to a final new group.
    • Discuss: "What were some common reasons you heard or shared about why it's hard to start tasks?"
    • "Was there anything surprising you heard?"













Reflection Questions (for personal thought or quick share-out):

  • How did it feel to hear that others share similar struggles?


  • Did anything you heard change your perspective on why tasks are hard to start?


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Worksheet

Brainstorming My Start Strategies

Objective: To identify personal tasks that are difficult to start and apply strategies to overcome those challenges.

Instructions:

  1. Identify Your Task: Think of one specific task (schoolwork, chore, personal goal) that you often find difficult to start.

    My difficult task is:





  2. Why is it hard to start? Check all that apply for your chosen task, and add your own reasons if needed.

    • It feels overwhelming / too big
    • I'm afraid I'll fail or make mistakes
    • It's boring or I'm not interested
    • I get easily distracted
    • I don't know exactly where to begin
    • I just don't have the energy or motivation
    • Other:


  3. Choose Your Strategies: Look at the strategies we discussed (Break It Down, Set a Timer, Remove Distractions, Find a Hook, Just Start, Reward Yourself). Choose at least two strategies that you think would help you start your difficult task.

    Strategy 1:


    How I will use Strategy 1 for my task:





    Strategy 2:


    How I will use Strategy 2 for my task:





  4. First Step: What is the absolute first, tiniest step you can take to begin this task? Make it so small it feels impossible to say no to.

    My first tiny step:





  5. Reflection: How do you feel about your task after planning these strategies and identifying your first tiny step?


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Why So Hard To Start? • Lenny Learning