Notice how runners seem to put out an extra effort when they see the finish line? There is something about seeing the goal that gives extra energy for the project.
But it isn’t just runners. Just about every task earns an extra spurt of energy when you can see a completion point. The sense of finishing, the sense of impending accomplishment, leads to extra productivity and satisfaction. It can also lead to energy to start the next day, or the next week. It adds to a willingness to dive back in. Engagement.
The exact opposite effect comes from lack of seeing the end result. When the workload becomes so heavy that there is no way to complete it, motivation decreases. If you cannot finish, there is no reason to put in the extra push. When the task is endless, there is no reason to rush through it. Eventually just getting up in the morning can seem a drag. Everything can slow to a crawl.
This is why it is important to break tasks up into pieces — to get the sense of accomplishment that encourages greater effort. And to avoid the sense of endless drudgery. Disengagement.
At The Rainbow 