Screener Survey Results

72%

are avoiders

Put it off or switch to something easier when faced with an overwhelming task.

64%

dump + accumulate + avoid

The full overwhelmed-dumper trifecta: burst capture, stale backlog, active avoidance.

77%

have 3+ tasks sitting > 1 week

Backlog rot is the norm, not the exception.

Only18%

self-decompose tasks

The rest need external help to break work down and get started.

Which tasks would you start today?

Simple vs. complex task pick rates from screener

Buy toothpaste

59%

Simple

Text Sarah back

45%

Simple

Organise closet

40%

Complex

Trip research

36%

Complex

Email to boss

31%

Simple

Monthly budget

27%

Complex

Return package

27%

Simple

Health insurance

18%

Complex

Key finding

"Organise closet" (high effort) was picked 40% of the time.

"Health insurance" (high ambiguity) only 18%. Ambiguity, not effort, drives avoidance.

When a task feels overwhelming…

What people actually do

40%

Put it off for later

31%

Switch to something easier

18%

Break into smaller steps

Ask someone to help

How people track tasks

The real competition is paper, not Todoist

72%

Paper / notebook

63%

Notes app

45%

Calendar app

31%

Try to remember

13%

Task app (Todoist etc.)

Persona match score distribution

0–7 scale across 35 respondents

01234567

Not persona (0–2)

Decent (3–4)

Strong match (5–7)

Validation

80% of respondents (score 3+) match the overwhelmed-dumper persona.

This is not a niche. It is the majority behaviour pattern.

Persona validation

80% of respondents (score 3+) match the overwhelmed-dumper persona.