Practically all endeavors fluctuate between two phases: expansion and contraction. In the former phase, the number of inputs associated with an endeavor increases. In the latter phase, unnecessary inputs are discarded. For example, consider the process of writing a research paper. 

The researcher first expands the scope of their project by surveying a large quantity of sources that may lend itself to their research. After determining that no more inputs are necessary, the researcher contracts the scope of their project by eliminating sources that are unlikely to bolster the thesis of the forthcoming paper. This process repeats itself during the writing of the research paper as well.

The first phase of the writing process involves prioritizing quantity over quality. Once the paper has expanded enough to constitute a complete draft, it is contracted via the revision process.

As many tasks feature these two contrasting phases, it stands to reason that these two phases can be anticipated; consequently, in a broad sense, you have the power to accurately predict what is required to complete almost any task. This power is significant in the context of productivity because one of the hardest parts of completing a task is getting started and one of the hardest parts of getting started is not knowing how to start.

Original Date: October 9, 2022