Why Small Tasks Might Be the Real Barrier to Your Big Goals
When you think about growing your dental practice or achieving a major goal, it’s easy to focus on the big things. Expanding your patient base. Improving your team culture. Streamlining your systems. But according to speaker, author, and pastor Gerald Robison, the small things you’re ignoring might actually be the real roadblocks.
I recently had Gerald on the Practice Growth HQ podcast, and we dug into a surprisingly simple idea that could transform the way you use your time. His approach is not about cramming more into your day but about using the time you already have better.
The 30 Second Secret to Better Time Use
Gerald’s book, 30 Seconds That Can Change Your Life, highlights a powerful insight: most of the small, nagging tasks that weigh you down actually take 30 seconds or less. These are the little jobs we avoid because we think they’ll take too long or disrupt our flow, but in reality, they’re quick wins that can clear your mind and free up time for bigger goals.
For example, Gerald shared that he once bought a stopwatch and started timing the tasks he’d usually put off, like grabbing the mail or clearing a desk. He found that most of these jobs took under 30 seconds, yet he’d been letting them pile up, adding unnecessary mental weight.
The ‘Backpack Effect’ of Small Tasks
Gerald explained that small, undone tasks are like a heavy backpack. You carry them around in your mind, weighing you down and stopping you from moving quickly on the big stuff. Clearing these tasks out can create more mental space and give you the momentum you need to take on larger challenges.
Time Isn’t the Problem
One of the most powerful points Gerald made is that you don’t need more time. You need to use the time you already have better. You can’t save time. You can’t stop it. But you can redeem it by being smarter with your micro-moments.
Practical Tips to Start Using Your Time Better
Here are a few ideas from our chat that you can try today:
- Clear out your car or workspace in 30 second bursts.
- Use waiting time (like commercial breaks or coffee brewing time) to knock out small jobs.
- Make a list of 30 second tasks you can tick off throughout the day.
- Try Gerald’s Post-it Note trick. Write a single task on a sticky note and commit to removing it only once it’s done.
Listen to the full episode with Gerald Robison on
Practice Growth HQ: EP 159: The 30 Second Strategy That Can Change Your Life with Gerald Robison – Practice Growth HQ
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42rpDPf
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3EoZbKI