Have you ever avoided a project because it was so big and overwhelming? The thought of starting it stresses you out. You feel defeated before you even begin. I have had a few projects like this recently. It can really paralyze your efforts and intentions just approaching the project. I had to find a way to overcome this feeling of not wanting to begin a project because the scale of the project was intimidating.
Sometimes we take days off of work and devote a large block of time to get a project done. I find this works for projects such as staining your deck, painting rooms in your home or remodeling projects. The type of projects that most of us struggle with cannot be completed by taking a few days, work on the project and it’s done. Projects like organizing, pairing down or scanning/sorting through a lifetime of photos, cleaning out a garage or storage shed that has years of over-clutter, sorting years of accumulated paperwork and sentimental items. It becomes a vortex that sucks you in and wastes time when you do not know where to begin nor what your end game is. These type of projects can be emotionally draining and the decisions cannot be rushed. There may be emotions to deal with and facing letting go of things in order to move forward.
Decide on the goal. What is the desired end result? You don’t want to just move things around or organize better. You must identify what are you getting rid of and what are you keeping.
In these types of projects I recommend to commit to small blocks of time each day or several days per week to work on the project. If you break it down in this way, it doesn’t seem as overwhelming. Set a goal of when you would like to have it finished and work towards it. Also if you get stuck and emotional from something you can take a break and come back to it another day with a fresh perspective. It does take a longer amount of time to complete the project but a lot of the battle is getting started. Commit to one hour a day for a week and see how far you get. You will start to see progress and the reward of progress will give you motivation to continue. You do not feel paralyzed any more. It propels you forward as you feel the possibility of a complete the project.
Set a vision for what it will look and feel like when the project is complete. Create a physical reminder of this vision to keep you motivated. For example, if I want a clean, de-cluttered garage I would look through magazines or online for a photo of a clean organized space to use as a visual reminder of what I want to achieve. Print out a small copy or keep it digitally as the wallpaper on your computer or cell phone so you see it regularly.
Put your project on your calendar as a task and set a reminder on you cell phone that pops up on the days you committed to work on the project. There is something about scheduling it and making it official that makes it harder for you to back out of it.
Consider a reward for yourself when the project is complete. If there is something you have been needing or wanting, promise yourself you can have it only if you finish the project.
I have completed many projects this way and am currently working on a very large project using this technique. By doing a little bit at a time, regularly I feel good about making progress. Doing it this way also helps balance all the responsibilities that I still have going on. It is hard to completely forego all your other duties to work on a large project all day for a week or more. That causes more stress if all your other responsibilities are getting backed up.
A 5-step plan will get you going with your next project:
1 – Set a vision or goal for the project. What does it look like and feel like when it is complete. Print or save a picture to look at regularly.
2 – Commit to working on it an hour a day for a week or at least several days out of the week.
3 – Schedule it on your calendar and set a reminder that pops up on your cell phone or computer.
4 – Do the work.
5- Reward yourself.
It does not feel good to be controlled by looming projects. It is empowering to start tackling large projects that have been holding us back. Do not let it intimidate you. While they are waiting to be dealt with, it causes stress and takes up mental space that you could be using to do activities you enjoy.
Enjoy the journey and always be true to yourself!
Jen To the Zen