241: The Momentum Stack Method: How to Build a Productivity Chain Reaction (Task Stacking for Entrepreneurs)

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The Momentum Stack Method: How to Build a Productivity Chain Reaction (Task Stacking for Entrepreneurs)

How to use the task stacking method to build a productivity chain reaction. Cindy Gordon shares the Momentum Stack Method for overwhelmed entrepreneurs who know what to do but can't get started.

In this episode of The Overwhelmed Entrepreneur, business coach Cindy Gordon introduces the Momentum Stack Method - a way to turn small wins into unstoppable business momentum, even when you're feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

Most entrepreneurs know what they need to do but can't get started. You're paralyzed by your to-do list, everything feels urgent, and you end the day exhausted without making real progress. Task stacking changes that by helping you build work momentum from tiny wins into major accomplishments.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What the task stacking method is (and how it's different from habit stacking for personal routines)
• The psychology of why task stacking creates momentum when you're overwhelmed and frozen
• How to choose your first micro-task that's so small your brain can't resist it (the chain reaction starter)
• The 3 types of tasks that stack best for entrepreneurs (quick wins, momentum builders, completion chains)
• Real task stacking examples for business owners: content creation stack, client momentum stack, and business development stack
• How to create productivity chains that build on themselves
• What to do when your task stack gets interrupted (it's more flexible than you think)
• Why one 5-minute task can create unstoppable momentum for your entire day

Perfect for: Overwhelmed entrepreneurs and small business owners who know what they need to do but feel paralyzed and can't get started, especially those with ADHD or who struggle with motivation on tough days.

Episode Highlights: "Overwhelmed entrepreneurs don't have a productivity problem. They have a momentum problem."

"Task stacking isn't about doing more - it's about building momentum from the smallest possible win."

"When everything feels urgent, the Momentum Stack Method helps you create a chain reaction on what's actually important."

"One small task creates energy for the next. That's how you go from stuck to unstoppable."

"You're not lazy, you're not broken. You just haven't learned how to build momentum from a single tiny task."

Take Action: Ready to build work momentum with task stacking? Look at your to-do list right now. Pick one task that takes 5 minutes or less. Do it immediat

🎯 You don't have to figure this out alone! The Growth Collective is your $1/day business support community with weekly office hours, strategic frameworks, and entrepreneurs who get it. Less than your coffee, more than a mastermind. Details at https://exclusivelycindy.thrivecart.com/the-growth-collective/

💡 Don't forget to subscribe for more quick productivity tips for overwhelmed business owners and female entrepreneurs!

💌 Join 1,400+ entrepreneurs getting exclusive overwhelm solutions and productivity strategies straight to their inbox - sign up now! https://cindygordon.myflodesk.com/countmein

Connect with Cindy Gordon - Reality Check Method Coach for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs:

• Website: ExclusivelyCindy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exclusivelycindy/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cindygordon

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
overwhelmed.
Entrepreneurs don't have aproductivity problem.
They usually have a momentumproblem.
You know exactly what you needto do.
Your tasks are clear, but you'restuck.
You stare at your to-do list,feeling paralyzed, unable to
start, and by the end of theday, you've done nothing except
feel guilty about doing nothing.

(00:20):
Here's what I want you tounderstand.
You are not broken.
You don't need anotherproductivity system.
You need to learn the taskstacking method and how to build
a productivity chain reaction.
Hi, I'm Cindy Gordon, aself-made entrepreneur, busy mom
and execution coach.
I built and sold multipledigital businesses ranging from

(00:41):
five to six figure successes.
And one of the most powerfultechniques that I still use
today to break through theoverwhelm is the momentum stack
method.
And before we dive in, if youare not getting my weekly
productivity tips, grab them.
Using the link in the shownotes, you'll join over 1500
other entrepreneurs who are onmy special email list.

(01:02):
I share behind the scenessystems that I use to stay
productive while running mybusiness.
In the next six minutes or so,I'm breaking down the exact
system I use to build workmomentum from a single tiny
task.
I hear from a lot of clientsthat.
They're not confused about whatthey need to do.
They know that they should sendthat proposal or create that

(01:24):
offer or reach out to thoseleads, but they just can't seem
to make themselves start.
The overwhelm is just sointense.
They're completely frozen, sothey scroll.
Social media, reorganize.
Their desk, check their emailfor the 15th time, you know, do
anything except the actual workthat would move the business

(01:46):
forward.
And then by 4:00 PM exhaustionfrom doing nothing all day long.
Frustrated and convince there'ssomething wrong with them.
But the reality check is there'snothing wrong.
They just haven't learned how touse.
Task stacking to create momentumwhen they're stuck, here's what

(02:06):
most productivity advice getswrong.
It assumes that you can juststart working, but sometimes
when you're super overwhelmed,you just can't start.
Your brain is paralyzed by thesize of.
What's in front of you?
Completing even one tiny taskreleases dopamine, the same
chemical that makes you feelaccomplished and motivated.

(02:28):
The small win creates energy andconfidence, and that energy
makes the next task feel easierto start.
And that's why task stacking isso powerful for overwhelmed
entrepreneurs.
One task doesn't just getcompleted, it creates momentum
for the next task, and thatmomentum builds upon itself.

(02:48):
Small win leads to.
Confidence.
Confidence leads to starting thenext task.
That task gets done creatingeven more momentum, and before
you know it, you have created aproductivity chain reaction.
This is completely differentfrom habit stacking, which is
about personal routines, likeexercising after your morning

(03:10):
coffee Task stacking is aboutbusiness momentum.
It's strategically choosingtasks that build upon each
other.
So that completing one naturallyleads you into the next.
So let me show you the Momentumstack method and how to build a
productivity chain reaction,even when you're feeling stuck

(03:31):
and overwhelmed.
As always, you are gonna startwith a reality check of your
current state if you'reparalyzed and can't start.
You don't begin with yourbiggest task.
You begin with the tiniestpossible task.
Something that takes fiveminutes or less and is so small
that your brain can't resist it.
This is your momentum starter.

(03:53):
Then you need to understand thethree types of tasks that stack
best for entrepreneurs.
Type one is quick wins, so tasksthat take five to 10 minutes and
create immediate visibleprogress.
Type two is a momentum builder.
These tasks naturally lead tothe next action.
Type three is a completionchain.

(04:15):
These are related tasks thatkeep you in the same mental
space.
And then here's the gamechanger.
You stack these intentionally.
After you complete your tinyfive minute starter task, you
immediately move to the nexttask while the dopamine and
momentum are still active andalive.
So no checking email, noscrolling.

(04:37):
Instagram, you ride that wave ofenergy straight into task number
two.
I know what you might bethinking, but Cindy, what if I
get interrupted in the middle ofmy task stack?
And that's the beauty of thismethod.
Unlike rigid time blocking task,stacking is flexible.
If you get interrupted, you juststart again with another.

(04:59):
Tiny task.
I want you to make your startertask embarrassingly small, so
not write a blog post.
Instead, it would be somethinglike.
Open the document and write onesentence, so we're not gonna
put, create an entire salespage.
Instead, we're gonna say, writethe headline to my sales page.
Your only job is to get moving.

(05:21):
Then you're gonna plan yourstack before you need it.
Don't wait until you'reparalyzed to figure out what
task to start with.
During your power hour, and ifyou're not sure what that is,
reference episode two 40.
identify three tasks thatnaturally connect.
Write them down.
Task A is five minutes thatleads to task B, which is about

(05:43):
15 minutes.
Then that leads to task C, whichis about 30 minutes when that
overwhelm hits.
You already know your stack,then you're gonna protect your
momentum.
This is critical between thetasks in your stack.
Do not check email.
Do not look at your phone, anddo not just quickly do anything

(06:05):
else.
The momentum that you've builtis fragile.
One distraction can actuallykill it.
Move immediately from one taskto the next in your stack while
the energy.
Is still alive.
Let me give you a coupleexamples of how I have.
Use this in the last week in myown business.
So the first example is acontent creation stack.

(06:28):
So what I did is I opened mynotes app.
I wrote down one content idea,so that was about two minutes.
Then I stacked it with writingthe outline for that content.
That's about 10 minutes.
Then my next part of my stackwas, I wrote the first paragraph
that was about 15 minutes.
So that totaled a 27 minutechain from getting stuck to

(06:51):
actually getting the contentdrafted.
Another example of how I've usedthis in my business is a
business development type ofstack.
So first I started with onesentence of a pitch email that
took me about three minutes.
Then I stacked it with finishand send that email.
That was 10 minutes.
My third part of the stack was Iidentified the next person to

(07:15):
reach out to, so that took meabout five minutes.
Fourth piece to this stack,which I drafted the email
opening, which was about fiveminutes.
So I went from frozen to havingtwo outreach messages handled
task stacking isn't about doingmore, it's about building
momentum with the smallest.

(07:35):
Possible win.
This method helps you create achain reaction on what's
actually important when you arefeeling the most overwhelmed.
One small task creates energyfor the next, and that's how you
go from stuck to unstoppable.
If you want daily reminders.
To start small and buildmomentum and lots of other

(07:57):
business and productivity tipsand tricks, please be sure to
follow me on Instagram atexclusively.
Cindy, your goal today is totake a look at your to-do list.
Pick the tiniest possible task,something that takes about five
minutes or less.
Then do Do it right now.
Then immediately do one moretask and watch how that momentum

(08:19):
builds.
That's the power of strategictask stacking, and remember,
you've got this,

Speaker (08:26):
Thanks for spending these few minutes with me today.
Remember, overwhelm isn'tpermanent.
It's simply your brain's way ofsaying pause and take a little
reality check.
If this was helpful, you'll lovemy weekly email tips where I
share the systems that keep meand hundreds of other
entrepreneurs on Track Link inthe show notes.
If you got value in today'sepisode, please share it with

(08:48):
another entrepreneur who needsthat reminder.
If you're loving the show, I'dbe so grateful if you could
leave me a quick review.
It helps other overwhelmedentrepreneurs find us.
Make sure you hit subscribe soyou never miss your weekly dose
of clarity.
For more resources and toconnect with me, visit
exclusively cindy.com.
Until next time, remember you'vegot this.