My Dad always dispensed that same advice whenever I had "project paralysis". One small step at a time = feeling of accomplishment.
Bryce Moore
· 2 years ago
I've made a point and habit these days of striving to get at least one "C" or "D" priority [I prioritize "A"-"D"] item off my to-do list every week. It helps keep the to-list from completely overwhelming me.
Of course, then the issue becomes having way too many "A" and "B" items for the time available!
Philip
· 2 years ago
I agree with you completely. I'll tell you what I've done to help get all the problems out of the junk drawer and out in broad daylight where I can sort through them and attack them in the best possible manner.
I bought a big wide whiteboard. Actually I bought two - and then two more for my hallway - and I wrote headers across the top. These headers suit me and my life, and yours would obviously be different, but it fits in with your small, medium, big-sized problems idea.
Mine say: Today, Need, Blog, Build, Ideas.
I find that if I tackle the little problems systematically, I have the confidence and time to tackle some of the bigger ones as well.
(don't want to hog your response area...I decided to make my full response a blog post and link back to you. Thanks for sparking my mind this morning!)
eric : gardenfork.tv
· 2 years ago
Despite all my gadgets and computers, I have an erasable whiteboard on the wall on which I write things down that have to be done. Big and Small. I pick a big or small project depending on how much time I have available.
The whiteboard makes all the 'to do' clutter much more manageable.
Marti
· 2 years ago
Excellent advice! On the credit card battle, I started sending a second payment each month...just a little bit, like ten dollars. I can do it online, so it's easy - that helps. We don't miss it, but it has sure helped get those balances down.
To Philip and eric:gardenfork.tv ~ We have a big old school blackboard and one of those big desk blotter calendars to help us keep track - as you say - it really does work!
Goldie Katsu
· 2 years ago
This is excellent advice. The only thing I would add is sometimes those "big problems" are really lots of little problems in disguise.
There is a story in the beginning of the book "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott (of which I have probably only read the first chapter). The story is about the author's brother who had a report to do on birds which he left to the last minute. He turned to his father for help, and father agreed to help. The brother asked "How will we get it all done." The answer was: "Bird by bird".
Sometimes when the tasks I have to do look too huge I sometimes take a second look and see if I can do the task "Bird by bird".
All Comments
Of course, then the issue becomes having way too many "A" and "B" items for the time available!
I bought a big wide whiteboard. Actually I bought two - and then two more for my hallway - and I wrote headers across the top. These headers suit me and my life, and yours would obviously be different, but it fits in with your small, medium, big-sized problems idea.
Mine say: Today, Need, Blog, Build, Ideas.
I find that if I tackle the little problems systematically, I have the confidence and time to tackle some of the bigger ones as well.
(don't want to hog your response area...I decided to make my full response a blog post and link back to you. Thanks for sparking my mind this morning!)
The whiteboard makes all the 'to do' clutter much more manageable.
To Philip and eric:gardenfork.tv ~ We have a big old school blackboard and one of those big desk blotter calendars to help us keep track - as you say - it really does work!
There is a story in the beginning of the book "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott (of which I have probably only read the first chapter). The story is about the author's brother who had a report to do on birds which he left to the last minute. He turned to his father for help, and father agreed to help. The brother asked "How will we get it all done." The answer was: "Bird by bird".
Sometimes when the tasks I have to do look too huge I sometimes take a second look and see if I can do the task "Bird by bird".