How to get started on boring tasks

in #productivity8 years ago

Here's one trick I sometimes use when I have trouble getting anything done. I choose a task that I'm resisting, and choose a duration, for example 5 minutes. Now the trick is this: during the 5 minutes I'm only allowed to work on the task or do nothing. This trick works for me surprisingly often, even when I'm certain at the beginning nothing will happen.

You can experiment with the time chosen. Some tasks may require a longer time to eventually make you curious about the task. Pick something that's just enough to get slightly bored, but short enough that you will actually try.