Have you ever completed a task and thought to yourself:
“Why didn’t I just do this earlier?!”
We put things off we fear. We fear they are too difficult. We fear they are too boring, or we fear missing out on something else while we are completing the task. We make up any number of excuses to hide the fear, but almost always we will look back and thing the same:
“Why didn’t I just do this earlier?!”
Here are 25 tips to help you getting started right now:
- Decide to Start
- Create some clean working space
- Gather all things you think you will need to start analysing the task
- Scan over all the documents, items so you are aware what is there and what is missing
- Congratulate yourself for starting
- Remember what is really important in this task.
- Focus on what is important first.
- Plan how to attack the challenge
- Break it down further into mini tasks
- Consider the difference between that task being perfect or being ‘just good enough’ to fulfil the objective (being good enough is better then not being completed at all)
- Don’t let the chase of perfection hinder the momentum of the task. First ‘just be good enough’ then improve for perfection
- Break each mini task into simple action steps, like a project guide for newbies
- Focus on one mini task at a time, using the simple action steps to guide how you work
- Celebrate the completion of each mini task
- Snap back from celebration mode and start the mini task, time for a big celebration later
- Ask for help if needed, but only after you have tried first
- Know exactly what you need help with so you don’t waste your time or the time of the person helping you
- Get back to the task
- Head up, your almost there
- Don’t get sidetracked. Remember what is really important in this task.
- Keep going until you are done.
- Well done, your completed document is ‘Good Enough‘ to serve it’s purpose
- If time and energy allows, strive for perfection of your already completed project.
- Enjoy the feeling of a completed task.
- Repeat, the feeling just gets better and better each time.
Why not print these tips out and place it upon our wall or near your workspace to act as a simple reminder ever time you start to lose focus whilst working. Make it a habit to keep going and work towards that great feeling that comes when a job is complete, there is nothing better then the feeling of a job well done. So stop reading and Get Started!
