Subtract Until Clear

Pick a real task. Something you're supposed to be working on right now, or soon. Don't pick something finished or hypothetical — pick something that has weight on it. Hold that task in mind. Notice what comes with it. Most likely: a list. Sub-tasks, concerns, versions, contingencies. That's the instinct — when something feels unclear, add more structure to it. More options. More planning. More research. Each addition feels like progress because it feels like comprehensive coverage. It isn't. Every addition is another object your attention has to manage. Clarity doesn't come from addition. It comes from subtraction. Here's the principle: confusion is a density problem. Too much material in the frame. The fix is removal, not acquisition. Now work. Take your task and ask: what is the smallest version of this that still counts as doing it? Not the smallest version of the project. The smallest version of the next ten minutes. One sentence written. One decision made. One sketch on paper. Find that.