I normally make a prioritised list and work through the items on the list. If I do not, I cannot fathom which item to do first and there is so much to keep track of that I forget to do some of the items.
So a list forces me to document what I need to do, and work through it methodically.
This approach works well for me (when I have the motivation to write the list). Breaking each task down into smaller sub-tasks is helpful too. I usually end up with a list of very simple directives that leave little room for thinking (or ruminating).
Having this allows you to concentrate on one thing at a time and avoid 'analysis paralysis', which make you more efficient at some tasks. For example:
Task: 'Clean the house'
1. Grab big garbage bag
2. Go from room to room and put garbage in bag.
3. Put garbage bag in outside bin.
4. Grab large basket.
5. First room: put items that do not belong in room into the basket.
6. Subsequent rooms: Items in basket that belong -> dump somewhere in room. Items that don't belong in room -> in the basket.
I vary with how I do lists and how extensive they are, but sometimes I do put fairly trivial stupid things on simply because it's easy to cross off, and crossing something off is proof you're past "getting started" and that's often the hardest part.
Using the parent's example, 'Clean house' is too big, 'Clean living room' may even be too big. My approach might be something like:
* Living room:
* Remove garbage
* Put dirty dishes in kitchen
* Put stuff that doesn't belong in tote
* Put everything that does belong on shelves
* Vacuum
I like each thing to be an 'accomplishment' in itself -- however trite -- because there is a meaningful result (even if no one but me cares or notices).
This is what happens for me even with shorter lists.
Or, I try to ease myself into working by starting with a list, but start feeling overwhelmed as the list grows longer.
When this happens, I more often than not end up procrastinating. It usually takes a critical deadline and an unhealthy amount of panic to break the deadlock.
Yeah that didn't work for me either. Try a really short pithy list:
* Take out the trash
Then 5 minutes later, congratulate yourself for getting your entire todo list done. If you are really ambitious, you can make a similarly pithy list for tomorrow, but do not do it until tomorrow; if you're anything like me that will lead to burn-out.
After a week or two, graduate to a list with two items on it. Don't worry about a month from now. You can reevaluate then.
So a list forces me to document what I need to do, and work through it methodically.