Simple Tips for Big Projects

Tips for a Big Project

A few tips that were helpful in packing up Bethany’s classroom (but we hope you translate it to  any big project you are working on).

• Plan: Either write down the big tasks that will move your project forward or talk through the project with a friend. This planning can help you think through the steps of the project.

• Set a Quitting Time: With larger projects especially, you can easily get sucked in to working longer hours because there is so much to be done. However, it’s important to pace yourself and take breaks so you can stay focused and strong throughout the project. Set the time you will stop working for the day or decide to stop working after a set number of smaller tasks are finished.

• Stay Focused on One Thing: When we are cleaning up or organizing a room, it is tempting to start tackling multiple spaces at once. Diving into more than one area can quickly get overwhelming. The visual clutter of having everything out can be counterproductive. Seeing the small results of focusing on one area at a time can actually propel your project forward; very similar to our 10 Day Challenge.

• Not all Questions need to be Answered Immediately: There are so many moving parts to a big project, and sometimes you are not able to make a decision until you have all the information. If you come across an item you’re unsure about, or an aspect of the project that is stumping you, it is okay to write on your to-do list, “decide about x later.” There is no reason to waste time mulling over a decision that often can be made quickly once you have moved further along in the project.

• Pay Attention to Progress: With projects, we usually focus on all the tasks still left to do rather than celebrating what you have accomplished so far. Don’t forget to pay attention to the progress you are making as you work. It is those little acknowledgments that can give you the push you need to see the project through to completion.

• Ask for Help: It is called a big project for a reason, so don’t try to do it all on your own! Asking for help could look like getting childcare for an afternoon, asking your spouse to make dinner, ordering groceries online, or calling a friend. Remember that loved ones often want to help but aren’t sure what you need unless you ask. Don’t get stuck thinking that you can or should be able to do it all.