The Dishwasher as a Productivity Booster: How Small Tasks Can Boost Your Motivation

For weeks, it had been on my to-do list: writing a contribution for my doctoral advisor’s commemorative publication. A task that truly mattered to me, yet I kept finding myself engaged in other activities. Then, during a particularly unproductive moment, I simply got up and emptied the dishwasher. If I wasn’t writing, at least I could do something productive, I thought. And as I was sorting the cutlery, ideas suddenly started flowing… When I sat back down at my desk, I was focused and productive, accomplishing more in a short time than I had in days. What had happened?

Small Tasks as a Gateway

What does emptying a dishwasher have to do with tackling larger, more complex tasks? Research shows that overcoming a small hurdle can often be the key to getting into action.

Andrew Huberman, a professor at Stanford University, explains in his podcast that simple, completed actions activate our brains in a unique way. Every conscious effort—even a small one like emptying the dishwasher—releases neurotransmitters that motivate us for further tasks. These small successes gradually increase our overall motivation.

This creates positive momentum: Completing small tasks makes it easier to tackle larger ones because we’re already in “action mode” and have overcome resistance.

Three Practical Strategies to Get Started

But how can you use this effect for your own work? Here are three methods you can try:

The Two-Minute Method

This method is perfect for acute motivation blocks and moments when you just can’t seem to get going. It activates our reward system through short, intentional actions and creates a gentle transition to the actual task. Inspired by Huberman’s insights, this method is easy to implement:

1. Choose a simple, physical mini-task (e.g., organizing pens, making coffee, watering plants).
2. Perform it attentively for about two minutes.
3. Take a short pause, take a deep breath, and tell yourself: “I’ve accomplished this.” Afterward, you can move directly to Method 2 or continue with your regular tasks.

The “Small Wins” Strategy

Psychologist Teresa Amabile found that daily small wins have a greater impact on our emotional resilience and problem-solving ability than rare, large projects:

• Break complex projects into minimal units (e.g., making a phone call, answering an email, writing a paragraph).
• Set a five-minute time limit for the initial task.
• Acknowledge these small achievements consciously.

The Procrastination Ladder

If the previous two methods don’t work for you, try this structured approach. This method is particularly suitable for strong mental blocks when you feel stuck and overwhelmed. Unlike the Two-Minute Method, it provides a well-defined, multi-step process and starts with conscious relaxation. It also leverages the power of decision-making between alternatives, further lowering the action barrier. The starting tasks here are even more low-threshold: getting a glass of water, wiping crumbs off your desk, sharpening a pencil, or cleaning a window—truly minimal actions that require almost no effort.

The Procrastination Ladder combines several psychological mechanisms: Breathing exercises initially reduce stress reactions and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The micro-decision between two simple options gives you back a sense of control and bypasses “decision paralysis.” The minimal action then creates a first small success, showing you: “I can take action.” This step-by-step process gently builds a bridge from inaction to action.

The steps are:

1. Preparation: Take three deep breaths.
2. Small Decision: Choose between two simple tasks (e.g., get a glass of water vs. sharpen a pencil).
3. Execution: Spend a maximum of two minutes on the chosen task.
4. Transition: Immediately start a small part of your main challenge (e.g., a small win from Method 2).

Where Can You Apply These Methods in Everyday Life?

• When writing academic texts: After organizing your literature, insert a single quote into your text or formulate a heading.
• When analyzing data: After tidying up your lab desk, define a first variable or label a single diagram.
• When working on complex research proposals: After sorting your notes, clarify a single project goal.
• When dealing with peer review feedback: After cleaning up your email inbox, read through a single comment and jot down an initial thought.
• When preparing for teaching duties: After setting up your presentation equipment, formulate a single learning objective.
• When conducting literature research: After organizing your desk, define a single search term.

These practical examples show: With the right starting method, you can take the infamous “first step” almost effortlessly. Small tasks act as a gentle nudge that gets the ball rolling—without feeling like a major effort. The trick is to lower the threshold so much that our brain’s resistance is overcome.

Avoiding Pitfalls

Be careful: Small starter tasks should not become a form of procrastination themselves! Those who tend to distract themselves with household chores or other trivial tasks know the problem: Sometimes, we feel busy and productive (e.g., through hours of cleaning or endless email sorting) but fail to tackle the real priorities.

This pseudo-productivity is a particularly sneaky form of avoidance—it gives us the good feeling of having accomplished something while we are actually dodging the real challenge.

A proven tip: After a maximum of three small tasks, immediately switch to an important activity. The small tasks should be a springboard, not the goal itself.

Conclusion: Action Before Motivation

Research confirms what Huberman aptly states: “Action precedes motivation, not the other way around.” The key to overcoming procrastination is not waiting for motivation but realizing that even small, seemingly insignificant actions can put us in the right state to tackle bigger tasks.

So, the next time you hit a motivational block, it might be the perfect moment to tidy up your desk—or, as in my case, simply empty the dishwasher. Our brains will thank us when we then turn to our more important tasks.

Have you had similar experiences? What small tasks help you get into a productive flow? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Sources:

• Huberman, A. (Moderator). (2021, September 27). Controlling Your Dopamine for Motivation, Focus and Satisfaction [Audio-Podcast-Episode]. In Huberman Lab. https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/controlling-your-dopamine-for-motivation-focus-and-satisfaction
• HealthyGamerGG: https://wiki.healthygamer.gg/en/Motivation
• Amabile, T., & Kramer, S. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Review Press.

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