Paint the room is not a task. Fill the holes, tape the edges, buy the rollers, do one wall. That is four tasks, and each one ends.

What the research says

A meta-analysis of randomised trials looked at which behaviour change techniques improve a daily habit in young adults, testing the ingredients rather than assuming any programme works. The general approach of using defined techniques has support behind it. Those trials were about diet in a particular age group, so breaking up a decorating job is an extension of the idea rather than a tested case.

Strength of evidence: one line of research. A single study, or a theoretical account.