Task Initiation Strategies

Task Initiation Strategies

Prepare your space

Try keeping your space free of distractions. Put your phone in another room, unplug your gaming system, put away the items that distract you. Sometimes straightening up can help, too. A clean space might help you clear your mind. If you are able to have a space that is just for learning, that helps. It's hard to work in your bed when you associate that with rest!

KISS

Keep It Super Simple (KISS). Find the simplest part of the task and start there. This could be changing the name of the file to include your name, answering one question of a quiz you definitely know, or opening the assignment. Great! Now look for the next simplest part. Keep going! A mountain doesn't get climeb in one step.

Use Music

Listening to music tiggers the brain to release dopamine (the happy chemical). Try making a 3-4 song playlist and work the whole time it's playing. Choose song that make you feel good. Try swaying along or dancing as well.

Plan a Reward

Plan reward for yourself. This could be a treat, some scrolling time, a break, whatever you need. Decide how long you will work to get your reward (could be an amount of time or number of questions). Make sure what you pick is realistic. Don't pick 20 minutes if you know you cannot work that long.

Do it differently

Switch up your normal routine for starting a task. Try working on an assignment in a different place. Use a fun colored pen to write your to-do list. Wear your favorite outfit while you work. Get out that fun notebookyou've never used. Pick a fun color font to type in. Change your pointer to a fun icon.

Add Exercise

If you have a treadmill or walking pad available, try using it while you work. Put your computer on the kitchen table and stand while you work. Do squats or twists between questions. Try dancing while working on something challenging. Even some stretching will help with focus and attention.

Body doubling

Some people are able to focus when they are working near someone else. This is called body doubling. Work in the same room (physical or virtual) as another person. You do not have to be working together or talking to each other. Just seeing the other person focused can trick your brain into stayin on task.

Set goals/ make a list

Set goals when you start for how much you ar going to get done. Maybe you want to finish that math quiz and that history assignment today. Put them on a list (make them as fun as you want) and check them off as you go. This helps your brain feel more accomplished!