At its base this can be physics: a lower inclination ramp over a longer distance is less efficient in terms of distance travelled (and as such might not be feasible in all situations), but it's much easier for, say, a human to push something up.
This also applies for doing a larger project: split tasks into their smallest actionable components, and then do each atomic action over time rather than cramming it in at the end.
The same goes for saving: it's easier to put away $10 a month for a year than $120.