Task Friction Calculator

How much activation energy does your next task require? 3 inputs. Instant score.

5
How much do you dread starting this task?
Piece of cakeExistential dread
5
How rested and focused do you feel right now?
Running on emptyAt peak performance
3
Phone visible? Tabs open? Background noise?
Monk-mode silenceTotal chaos
friction score
Task Resistance
contribution
Energy Buffer
buffer
Environment
penalty

How This Works

Based on behavioral neuroscience research, task initiation isn't about willpower — it's about activation energy. Every task has a friction cost, and your brain has a limited dopamine budget to spend on starting things.

When the friction cost exceeds your current dopamine baseline plus environmental penalties, you procrastinate. The solution isn't to "try harder" — it's to systematically lower the activation energy.

Friction Score = (Resistance × 6) + (Distractions × 4) − (Energy × 2) + 20

Based on the Activation Energy Model from behavioral economics. The formula weights task resistance most heavily, subtracts your current energy buffer, and adds penalties for environmental noise.

Want to Permanently Lower Your Friction Baseline?

The Complete Collection includes the full system for structuring your environment so low-friction execution becomes automatic.

Explore the Collection →

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📖 Also read: Frictionless Work: Why You Procrastinate and How to Stop