Tackling Hard Tasks
- Details
- Written by Leo Babauta

Generally we avoid hard tasks, putting them off while we either do easier tasks or distract ourselves. This is understandable, as a hard task might feel daunting or overwhelming, but spending our hours on urgent but easy tasks vs. difficult but important tasks is generally a costly choice.
So let’s talk for a minute about hard tasks. If we can focus on them and get them done, we can have a greater impact in a fraction the time.
The reason we tend to avoid hard tasks is usually because they are daunting — filled with uncertainty and filled with lots of sub-tasks to the point of being overwhelming. We also fear failing at them.
So what I’ve found to help are things people know but often dismiss:
- Do a small bit of the bigger task. People dismiss this but underestimate how powerful it can be. Have a big report to do? Just do the first 2 paragraphs. It increases your ability to tackle the hard task by a hundred fold, because you’re much much more likely to start, and once you start, you’re much much more likely to take on the next small bit.
- Get into the practice of choosing and trusting. If a decision freezes you up, you’ll likely stop doing the hard task. So don’t let yourself freeze up — just choose, and trust that you made a decent choice, or that you’ll be able to deal with whatever comes. This becomes a freeing practice, because you can just choose, choose, choose, and trust yourself without fretting too much. Choose quickly, move on, repeat.
- Think of “failing” as “learning.” When we think of the possibility of failing at something, we usually make that to mean something bad about us — we are inadequate, stupid, unworthy. But what if we frame it as part of the learning process, meaning nothing about us and everything about what we might learn? Let this free us.
These take practice. Start with the first item, and get into the practice of focusing on hard tasks in small bits. The amount of hard but important tasks you’re going to start crushing will be staggering.
© 2021 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved.
Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!
Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below!
Latest Articles
Dive into the Mystical World of the Crystal Wind Oracle Deck!
Get All the Enchanting Details Now!
NEW Expanded Boxed Edition!
Now with 58 Cards for Richer Wisdom!
Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!
Epilepsy - Finding A Cure
Your donation can make a difference!
Help us find a cure – donate now!
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Quake Watch
Follow Us!
Who is Online Now
We have 38573 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
Bright Beltane Blessings!
The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as May Day, ushering in summer in the... Read more
The Seven Chakras and their Meanings
If you could imagine chakras as circles of energy, flowing all the way throu... Read more
The Time of No Time: Beltane!
Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more
Frogs Return Moon
Beaver – Chrysocolla - Blue Camas – Blue April 20 – May 20 The Frogs Retur... Read more
The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck
The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more
Cartomancy - Fortune Telling Using Playing C…
Cartomancy is the act of divining using cards. Divining means to find out by... Read more
Sun in Taurus
Sun in Taurus April 21 through May 21 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristi... Read more
Taurus Mythology
The Taurus Myth The story of Taurus is most vividly tied to the tale of Zeu... Read more