How Washing Dishes Teaches Us About Productivity

Productivity is often seen as a lofty goal, requiring carefully crafted plans, elaborate tools, and boundless energy. But sometimes, the best lessons in productivity come from the simplest tasks—like washing dishes. Believe it or not, there’s a method in the mundane that can help us improve how we tackle our day-to-day goals.

Imagine standing in front of a sink filled with a variety of dishes—a mix of small spoons, plates, cups, and large pots. It’s overwhelming at first glance. Where do you even begin? This scenario is remarkably similar to the feeling we get when staring at an overloaded to-do list.

Start Small to Build Momentum

The key to overcoming the overwhelm is to start small. Begin by washing the smallest items—the teaspoons, butter knives, and tiny saucers. These items are quick to clean and immediately reduce the pile. Each clean spoon or plate gives you a small but satisfying sense of accomplishment, which builds momentum. This mirrors the productivity strategy of tackling quick, easy tasks first to create a sense of progress.

In productivity terms, these small items could be replying to an email, organizing your workspace, or making a quick phone call. Completing these tasks gives you the energy and motivation to move on to more substantial challenges.

Gradual Progress to Bigger Tasks

Once the small items are out of the way, you naturally move on to larger dishes—the plates, bowls, and cups. These items take a bit more time but feel manageable now that you’ve made a visible dent in the workload. You’ve built confidence and rhythm, and you’re ready for slightly more effort-intensive tasks.

In your daily life, this is akin to tackling medium-sized tasks after completing the smaller ones. These could be working on a presentation, organizing a project plan, or brainstorming ideas for a long-term goal. By this point, you’re in the flow, and progress feels natural rather than forced.

Tackling the Big Challenges

Finally, with most of the smaller and medium-sized items done, you’re left with the large, daunting pots and pans. These represent the big tasks in your life—the ones that require the most time, energy, and focus. But now, they don’t seem so intimidating because you’ve built up momentum and reduced the mental clutter. You have the confidence to dive in and complete them.

This is similar to working on major projects or tasks once you’ve gained momentum through smaller achievements. Whether it’s writing a report, solving a complex problem, or launching a new initiative, these tasks feel more manageable when approached with a clear mind and a steady pace.

Embrace the Process

Washing dishes may seem like an everyday chore, but it teaches us a powerful lesson: productivity isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about starting small, building momentum, and gradually working your way toward bigger goals. By embracing this mindset, you can transform even the most overwhelming tasks into manageable, achievable steps—one dish at a time.