Set attainable goals

A lengthy to-do list may be so weighty that you’d rather do nothing. Instead of compiling a long list of tasks, consider setting one or two smaller goals.

For example:

• Don’t clean the house; take the trash out.
• Don’t do all the laundry that’s piled up; just sort the piles by color.
• Don’t clear out your entire email inbox; just address any time-sensitive messages.