There’s that one task for everyone. You see it. You skip it. You promise tomorrow. But tomorrow never shows up. What if getting started isn’t about more discipline? What if it’s about… making friends with gnawing rats?

In this episode, we explore how to make dreaded tasks feel more accessible to get started or lingering projects to get completed.

What kind of ceiling height is better suited for what kind of tasks? Could a tomato-shaped kitchen timer give you the burst of energy to start that long dreaded project? And what does a pre-lunch setup ritual that only takes one minute have to do with momentum? We’re unpacking all of it—and more—in this episode.

If your to-do list has a stale, shame-tinted leftover, this one’s for you. Come sit with the rats. You might be surprised what happens next.

Links from the Show!

The Influence of Ceiling Height https://assets.csom.umn.edu/assets/71190.pdf

Temperature and productivity https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark%3A/67531/metadc882029/

Time Surfing - Reference to gnawing rats https://www.timesurfing.uk/#book

Hawthorne Works Experiment - Note: most writeups of this experiment attribute the results to the participants being observed rather than the environment changes. Blame either the shifting sands of research or Alex’s faulty memory! https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/the-hawthorne-effect

Boomerang for Gmail boomeranggmail.com

Boomerang for Outlook boomerangoutlook.com

Got todos? Get GQueues gqueues.com

Ever feel buried under a mountain of urgent tasks, unsure of what to tackle first—or how to avoid tasks that don’t really matter? You're not alone! In this episode, Moah and Alex dive into the art and science of prioritization.

Join them as they unpack powerful methods like the Eisenhower Matrix, flexible time blocking, and the Ivy Lee method. Hear why some strategies work great (and others don't) through real-life stories about snack-order debates, and Google’s API changes. You’ll learn how to decide what's truly important, what you can safely ignore, and how to adapt when your carefully planned day falls apart.

Leave with practical, easy-to-try tips, and finally start prioritizing the tasks that genuinely move the needle—without feeling overwhelmed.

Links from the Show!

Ivy Lee Story https://jamesclear.com/ivy-lee

MoSCoW Method https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoSCoW_method

Eisenhower Matrix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management#Eisenhower_method

GQueues Eisenhower Template https://www.gqueues.com/templates/eisenhower-method

Boomerang for Gmail boomeranggmail.com

Boomerang for Outlook boomerangoutlook.com

Got todos? Get GQueues gqueues.com

Struggling to switch off at night because unfinished tasks keep buzzing around your brain? It turns out there's an intriguing psychological explanation behind this phenomenon—and it's quietly sabotaging your productivity.

In the first episode of Less Busy Lab, Moah and Alex kick off their three-part series, “3 Pillars of Productivity,” starting with the crucial topic: “Where is My Stuff?” They explore the mysterious Zeigarnik Effect, revealing why our minds obsess over unfinished tasks and how this impacts our daily lives. Can a simple tweak to your nightly routine help you sleep better and significantly reduce anxiety?

Links from the Show!

Boomerang for Gmail

Boomerang for Outlook

Got todos? Get GQueues

Atlassian Survey

Zeigarnik Effect

Mis-En-Place Trello Template

Remarkable

Bullet Journal Template for Remarkable

Bullet Journal System

Scullin Paper on writing down unfinished tasks before bed time