Big Projects
"That some achieve success, is proof that others can achieve it as well."
Abraham Lincoln
Big projects can be daunting. Sometimes, projects can be abandoned, because they get too overwhelming. There are ways to overcome fear in the midst of big projects and become successful. For big projects, I create steps for completing big projects, know that it is okay if I make mistakes, find creative ways to work on projects, enlist help on complex projects, and learn to study and ask questions that get me closer to project success. When I put these steps into action, I am able to conquer all my tough projects.
Creating Steps
A carelessly planned project takes three times longer to complete than expected; a carelessly planned project takes only twice as long."
Unknown
Recently, I have found a new method of completing projects. When I start a project, I divide it into steps. Sometimes, a step can take five minutes. Other steps can take several hours, days, months, and years. If I can do the smaller steps first, then I can work my way up until the whole project is completed. Even house cleaning is easier when I do it this way.
Sometimes, projects can be overwhelming, so writing out steps is a way to break it down and get the project done without stressing. When I am taking a class for graduate school, I take the assignments and break them down into chunks. For instance, a big graduate paper can be broken into research, writing on the different aspects of the topic, and editing the paper. Sometimes, I divide questions that I need to answer. In my last class, I had to answer fifty questions, which can be difficult when taking care of three children, writing blogs, teaching Bible studies, and managing a home. Every day, I would work on at least five questions. There were times when I would write on more questions, but, if I didn't get more than five questions completed, it was okay.
Abandon Perfectionism
"Done is better than perfect."
Scott Allen
My workout plan is the same way. It used to frustrate me when I couldn't get in an hour of walking each day. Now, I do what I can, and don't stress over what I don't get done. Today, as I got through thirty minutes of my workout, I decided I was too tired to continue. Instead of continuing and getting over exhausted, I went half the time and went on with my day. Most of the time, I would have pushed myself on, but I was tired from the day before and I had a lot of work to get done.
There was a time that I would get upset with myself if I didn't get a project completely done. If I didn't get hours of work done, I would get irritated and depressed. This is less of an issue, now, because I see each step as a success. It also helps that I understand that mistakes are part of the learning process. Not every project will be done in a day, and not every project will be perfect.
In the past, I would wait for everything to work out perfectly before I started a project. Usually there is no such thing as a perfect time. There are usually interruptions that threaten the project. Waiting for perfection is death to every project. A few years ago, I lost my mom, and it made me realize that I was wasting my time. No one is assured tomorrow, so I needed to get busy and pursue my purpose and build my relationships without a perfectionist's attitude.
Get Creative
"Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected and stepping outside your own experience."
Masaru Ibuka
Another way to get big projects completed is to get creative. If I have to research for an article, I use colorful notebooks or pens. This helps to break the monotony. When it is time to clean the house, I bring in candles and decorations that will inspire me to clean. No one wants new candles or decorations in a dirty house. There are times, I put on music and dance around the house as I dust.
Setting up a reward system for myself is another great way to motivate me. If I have a graduate project due, I set up a reward before I start studying. This way I look forward to receiving my reward, so I continually work until the project is completed and I have my reward in hand. Although expensive rewards are okay from time to time, it is better on the finances if I set up small inexpensive rewards. These rewards are things that are important to me and will get me to finish the project as soon as possible.
Enlist Help
"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
Voltaire
There are some projects that need extra help. This is when I ask someone else to help me. There are several people that I know will help me with projects. These people are willing to give of their time, and they never put me down because I need extra help. As my children get older, they are more and more willing to help me out. Of course, some of them are limited by their age, but they do what they can and are learning how to do more as they grow older. For instance, my daughter is almost thirteen, so she is able to do more than her younger brother, Danny. Danny is seven and can do more than his two year brother, so I give them jobs according to their ages.
My husband, Brenton, is amazing when it comes to helping with my projects. This isn't just getting the project done, but also giving me moral support. When I have a block and unable to continue my project, he lends me an ear and allows me to talk about my emotions and what is blocking my success. My Aunt Ellen and sister-in-law, Teadran, helps me by watching my children when I need to get a big project done. This happened this spring when I was working on a graduate project, but needed time without any distractions. The kids love it, because they get to go to their Aunt T's house.
Study and Ask Questions
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."
Confucius
Another important part of completing projects is studying and asking questions. Sometimes, we don't complete projects, because we are scared to ask questions. It is important to ask questions, so that we can learn more about the project subject. There was a time in my life where I didn't want to ask questions, because I didn't want people to think I didn't know something. As I look back on that time, I know it is because I didn't want them to think I was stupid. Well, I am not perfect, and I have to ask questions to get smarter. It is vital that I expand my knowledge through questions, and it doesn't bother me if people think I am stupid. Everybody has to ask questions, because no one is born with all the right answers.
When I was in high school, studying was so boring, and I couldn't wait until the big breaks like summer vacation. Now, I love to study and learn new things. My love for learning started when I started dating Brenton. He knew tons of facts, but he wanted to learn more. This was puzzling to me. His love for learning rubbed off on me, and I started to research and study even when I wasn't taking a college class. Learning facts is a lot of fun and come in handy when playing trivia with Brenton (although, I still haven't beaten him at trivia, but I will continue to try). Taking graduate classes help me gain more knowledge through research.
As I learned to study for school, I realized that I also needed to study for various projects like organizing my home, raising my children, and writing a blog. For instance, when I wanted to learn more about cooking, I got books and studied them. These books included recipe books and books about different cooking techniques. Book stores have books on a multiple of subjects, so it doesn't take much time to find studying resources. The internet is also a great tool for learning how to do projects. Many stores, such as home improvement stores, have classes that teach certain decorating and remodeling skills. There is no excuse for not completing projects, because the ability to learn is at our finger tips.
Conclusion
"Well done is better than well said."
Benjamin Franklin
Projects don't have to control me, because I have the ability to control them. Each day, I try to use the steps above and get closer to completing a project. For years, I have worked on decluttering my house. Although, I am not completely done, I know that I am closer now than I was three years ago. Another project that I want to complete is my book that I have started. These steps will be applied to my book project, so I can complete my book and get it published.
This Weeks Challenge
"Accept the challenge so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."
George S. Patton
My challenge this week is to write down a project that I want to complete. This project will be one that I have struggled to get started or is half finished. Once I know what project I want to complete, I will write down all the steps I need to complete. As I work through this project, I will continually remind myself that I am not perfect, and that mistakes are a part of the process. It will also be my goal to find creative ways to work through this project, so that it does not get boring and mundane. Of course, I will also enlist the help of my friends and family. They will help me when I get stuck or need a little extra help. Finally, I will study the project subject and ask plenty of questions, because there is no such thing as a stupid question.