Are Your Task Reminders Secretly Sabotaging You?
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We've all been there: you set a task reminder thinking, "This will help me get it done!" But then… it just sites there, not getting done. Or worse, you start feeling even more stuck. Why? Because some task reminders aren't as helpful as they seem.
Here are a few ways task reminders can backfire 🔥:
• Bad Timing: Seeing a reminder when you can't act on it doesn't help--it just adds guilt and resistance. That sticky note somewhere you can't do it, that reminder at the wrong time, or the pile of overdue papers you have to step over.
• Vague Tasks: If your task doesn't pass the "4 a.m. test" (could you tell me what it means if I woke you up?), it's not clear or specific enough to be sure what to do or where to start. That's demotivating.
• Hidden Dependencies: "Paint the room" sounds simple… until you realize you don't have paint, or a plan, or the energy to start. What's the real first step?
• Hidden Follow-Up Tasks: The project is mostly done, but there are lingering details before you're comfortable checking it off. Things like removing painter's tape or cleaning up tools--those drain any remaining motivation to wrap up.
• Too Many Tasks/Notifications: Alarm fatigue is real. When reminders pile up, we shut down instead of taking action. We'll get overwhelmed with too many notifications of our tasks, but also when we get too many of any notification.
A Skit About Your Brain on Bad Task Reminders
Brittany dressed as an Imperial/First Order Officer from Star Wars, on the deck of a Star Destroyer, looking comically scared. It has the text, “Your Brain on Bad Task Reminders”
Today I wrapped up the video series on Ways Task Reminders Backfire with a skit that's been in my head since I was writing my first ADHD Conference talk back in 2019. It's a conversation between my Limbic System (stress/emotion brain region) and my Prefrontal Cortex (the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and planning, among other things). They debate how to handle a vague reminder that was delivered at the wrong time.
Because this one is pretty near-and-dear to me, here are the video links for different platforms:
It would mean a lot to me if you took a look!
