“The antidote is something I like to call “puddle theory”—a way to divide overwhelming tasks and take things smallest step by smallest step. Instead of contemplating the insurmountable sea, we can create tiny puddles that we don’t fear stepping into, making it easier to begin. For example, instead of focusing on a disorderly garage we want to tidy, we can take the task item by item. Puddle theory allows us to take on right-sized tasks and even move between them—splashing about in one puddle may lead us unexpectedly to another. This is a helpful reminder that often it doesn’t matter much where we start—what’s important”