I stumbled on a research paper that showed that how questions in an exam are structured can determine the success rate of students. The paper sought to answer the question: should tests start with easy or hard questions?
Guess what? Ordering the questions from easiest to most difficult yields the lowest probability of abandoning the test and the highest number of correct answers.
Why did this study interest me?
We often talk about starting difficult tasks first or doing the hardest things first, but what if this approach is all wrong?
From the study, we can deduce that starting with easier challenges and gradually progressing to more challenging ones can lead to better overall performance and a lower likelihood of giving up.
Podcast: I had Oo Nwoye on The Grinders Table Podcast. For those who don’t know, Oo is one of the influential names in the African startup space. Oo shared a lot with us so I split the conversation into two episodes. Catch part 1 by clicking here
I personally think it’s the dopamine, the nice feeling you get when things seem to be progressing. Dopamine basically creates a positive momentum that carries through the rest of the task.
So, how can we apply this principle in our everyday lives? Here are a few ideas:
Break down complex projects: When faced with a daunting project, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Start with the easiest tasks first to build momentum and confidence before moving on to the more challenging aspects.
Prioritize your to-do list: Instead of automatically putting the hardest tasks at the top of your to-do list, consider ordering them from easiest to most difficult. This can help you avoid procrastination and maintain a sense of progress.
Learning new skills: When learning a new skill, start with the basics and gradually move on to more advanced concepts. This approach can prevent frustration and increase your likelihood of sticking with the learning process.
Routines: Apply this principle to your routines, e.g workouts, by starting with easier exercises and progressively increasing the intensity. This can help you maintain motivation and avoid burnout.
There will definitely be situations where tackling the most difficult tasks first is still the best approach. For example, if you have a tight deadline or if the most challenging task is a prerequisite for the easier ones. However, in many cases, starting with the easier tasks and building up to the more difficult ones has been proven to give better results and a more positive experience.
In conclusion, the way we structure our tasks and approach challenges can significantly impact our success and motivation. By starting with easier tasks and progressively increasing difficulty, we can build momentum, boost confidence, and ultimately achieve better results. So, the next time you're faced with a daunting project or a challenging goal, remember this simple principle and see how it can work for you.