Avoidance
Task Deconstruction Planner for Overwhelming Projects
This template helps a client break down a large avoided task into small non-threatening steps.
Your client may present as ‘stuck’ on a critical task, whether it’s a major work deliverable or a personal life transition. They understand the goal’s importance, but its magnitude creates a persistent state of inertia. The more they avoid it, the larger and more intimidating the project seems, creating a feedback loop of procrastination and anxiety that can be difficult to interrupt.
This directive helps the client re-scale the task, translating a daunting objective into a series of manageable pieces. They will walk away with a tangible starting point and a clear sequence for what comes next, replacing the feeling of being overwhelmed with a sense of control and forward movement.
Task Deconstruction Planner for Overwhelming Projects
State the single project you are avoiding. Write it on the line below.
Break this project into smaller parts. For each part, identify only the first physical action required to begin. This is not the entire task, but the first observable movement you must make. Examples: open the laptop, pick up the phone, find a specific file, walk into the garage. Then, estimate how many minutes that single action will take.
Use the table below. Do not plan beyond the first physical action for each component part.
| Project Component | First Physical Action | Time Estimate (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
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