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Why Small Tasks Feel Harder Than Big Ones

Why Small Tasks Feel Harder Than Big Ones

Illustration showing a person avoiding a small task while easily handling a large one

Replying to an email. Folding laundry. Making a short phone call.

Small tasks should be easy— yet they often feel harder than big projects.

The Brain Measures Effort, Not Size

Your brain doesn’t evaluate tasks by importance.

It evaluates them by mental effort required to start.

Starting cost matters more than task size.

Small tasks often lack structure. No clear beginning. No momentum.

Why Big Tasks Feel Easier

Large tasks come with clear expectations.

They justify effort. They trigger focus and preparation.

Small tasks feel ambiguous— and ambiguity increases mental resistance.

Procrastination Isn’t Laziness

Avoiding small tasks doesn’t mean lack of motivation.

It means the brain sees too much friction for too little perceived reward.

Resistance is a signal, not a character flaw.

The Takeaway

If a task feels harder than it should,

break the starting point— not the task itself.


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