How to Crack a Daunting Task!

If you have a daunting task and the mere thought of it overwhelms you, it's probably too big to implement directly and should be broken down into actionable parts. I find this happens to me frequently -- I see the big strategic goal that I want to achieve, but become paralyzed thinking about the size of the project. To accomplish my overall goal, I need to crack this task into small doable pieces. In that way, I keep it simple and focused on one thing at a time.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself to Break a Big Daunting Task into Actionable Pieces

Ask yourself the following questions and write down all the answers you come up with. It works best if you can find a quiet, peaceful, comfortable place to do this where you won't be interrupted.

1. What is the specific overall goal or task you want to achieve?

Be as clear as possible and include as many dates and or numbers as you can. If you are in business, you may have an overall task to "Create $50,000.00 of revenue from new online products within three months." You could also identify more details including information about the target market, the type of products, etc. You can also apply this to personal tasks. For example, you may have an overall objective to "Eliminate clutter in three rooms in my home within two months with processes to maintain it."

2. What information do you need first to complete your goal or task?

I often find I can't take action until I get further information, especially at the beginning of a big task. For example, if your task is to eliminate clutter and you don't really know where to start, you might need information on how to eliminate clutter and what tips the experts recommend. To gather this information you may choose to complete an Internet search or visit the local library and searching under organization or decluttering. Or you could choose to hire a professional organizer to provide some personal assistance.

3. What necessary steps do you foresee?

Again, be as specific as possible. This may seem unnecessary, but if you can write down the required steps to complete your project, it can start to feel less daunting. I often find that I end up with around five steps to complete -- each of them may take me some time to accomplish, but with only five or less steps, it's much easier to get my head around the overall task.

4. Who else should be involved, and what do you require or want them to do?

Make sure you consider both required and desired assistance. There will be times when you need support, but don't forget to also ask for help when it will make the task easier for you and or lighten your load. I find that this step very helpful because we often forget about all the contacts that we really do have -- and the contacts that these people have that they could match us up with if necessary.

5. What should be your very first step, and when do you have to take it?

The first step is always the key to getting started. Often I find this is something I have already identified as part of my response to questions two or four above.

Copyright 2004 Donna P. Lendzyk

Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to "Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results." She is the author of the multi-media "Overcome Overwhelm eProgram." To learn more about her eProgram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com

---

Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation

With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More

Corporate Coaching - Why Coach? C(5)+ED

Is it possible to make a strong "business case for... Read More

Theres Always Enough Time!

I thought I'd begin this article by stimulating your mind... Read More

How to Turn Around A Sinking Conversation - 7 Tips

When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More

Do You Trust Your Mentor(s)?

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it,... Read More

Greasing the Path to Success: Finding the Confidence to Step Up to Key Moments

Whether it's making a prospecting call to a promising business... Read More

New Developments Make Christian Life Coaching ?The? Career Choice for Work-At-Home Professionals

I have watched for a couple years now, as my... Read More

How Stella (Laurie) Got Her Groove Back!

Being a Life Strategy Coach doesn't mean I'm always on... Read More

Home For The Holidays

In my husband's family, family members send Christmas cards to... Read More

7 Effective Ways To Boost Your Self Esteem

1. Get a life purpose statement.A well thought out life... Read More

Good, Good, Good, Good Intentions

I always do a lot of thinking about good intentions... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More

The Rewards and Risks Of Personal Freedom

We all need to decide whether to "play it safe"... Read More

HR Professional in New Avtaar: HR as a Coach and Mentor

IntroductionThese days in corporate sector, everybody is talking about the... Read More

Resolving Conflicts Effectively

Every relationship has conflicts. In some relationships, conflict is a... Read More

The American Dream ? Are We Really Free?

The promises of THE AMERICAN DREAM (to have it all... Read More

4 Underused Hot Spots for Your Personal Branding Iron

I'll never forget what my mentor told me: "Don't communicate... Read More

The Benefits of Coaching

When I was first introduced to the profession of personal... Read More

Mind the Gap

The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More

The Difference Between Approval and Appreciation

Having worked with individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More

Why Therapy Fails Sometimes

I saw a couple for marriage counseling this week, and... Read More

THE Step to Working Smarter (Japanese Style)

Remember that Coke contest from the 80s? If you collected... Read More

Time Travel

Let me quote something you wrote. "When you reach the... Read More

Is Coaching For You?

More and more people have less and less time, but... Read More

Training is Not the Same Thing as Exercising

What it takes to GROW!In almost every workshop we deliver,... Read More

What I Would Include In A Coaching Book

A coach is an essential figure in providing direction and... Read More

Difficult Challenges? -- What If?

Sometimes life can seem like one long series of unsolvable... Read More

Just Listen, Please!

When did you last do that? When did you last... Read More

The Incredible Human Psyche

The intriguing Human psyche - more complex than the metamorphosing... Read More

Do You Make These Common Mistakes When Talking to People?

Many moons ago. Talking to people was something I avoided... Read More

4 Amazing Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone

Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More

The Amazing Secret To Ridding Yourself Of Self Consciousness

One of the biggest challenges to developing superior communication skills... Read More

Business Career, Executive Coaching Article - Leadership: Understanding the Human Condition

"Nothing is more practical than for people to deepen themselves.... Read More