Finding Time to Start Your Project

The Time Finder with Paula Eder

The way you use your time is the way you live your life.

Finding Time to Start Your Project

Posted on September 25, 2009, under Finding Time E-zine Articles, Time Management Skills.

This Friday we are sharing another adapted article from our Finding Time E-zine. Today’s focus? Getting started on a project.

When faced with a new project, do you find yourself stuck before you begin? Whether you stall out or rush in, you’ll find these tips about preparation extremely helpful.

You benefit in a number of ways by engaging in thoughtful mental and physical action steps prior to starting your project. You maintain your motivation and momentum, and you establish a physical environment conducive to productivity.

For example, have you ever sat down at your desk to begin working on your project, only to realize that you need to immediately get up and get something you need? Whenever this type of break in the action occurs, momentum is lost and the motivation is diminished.

Instead of encountering this familiar and frustrating situation, prepare in advance. Avoid ‘timing difficulties’ by maintaining commitment and focus. We will explore two key elements in your preparation today.

The first is mental preparation. We are all familiar with the process of world-class athletes, and experienced public speakers, going through a mental rehearsal as an important first step in preparing for success. This same cognitive process brings equally beneficial results when used prior to beginning your project.

Get into the habit of opening your imagination to ideas about your intended activity. For several days or several weeks, encourage yourself to creatively think about the desired outcome of your project. That way, ideas emerge and frameworks begin to develop over the course of your everyday thoughts.

Also, carry a small notebook. Any time intriguing ideas and other components relevant to your project surface, make a quick note to yourself. By harvesting the best of your ideas in advance, you begin your project enriched by several pages of thoughts, questions and conclusions to build upon.

Second, mentally prepare your physical landscape. Envision your ideal setting, where everything you need to maintain your focus is right at your fingertips. Concretize these items by jotting them down in your notebook. What supplies and resource materials will you want close at hand? Some necessary items to include might be:

A computer
Several blank lined tablets
A paper calendar on which you can make notes
Several pens or sharpened pencils, depending on your preference
A clock
Sticky pads of different colors, shapes and sizes
Resource materials
Green tea, water, and even aspirin.

This list, compiled over time as you think of the different items you need, will enable you to set up your environment quickly, and ensure that it is uniquely suited to your preferred working style.

Your mental and physical preparation should prevent the two most common obstacles to achievement: a blank page with no ideas to jump-start your thinking, and frustration over the limitations of your working environment.

How do YOU prepare for projects? Are there other barriers that you’d like to see discussed here? Please feel invited to drop me a line – I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

What if you could find another hour every day? You can! You are invited to sign up and download The New Finding Time Boundary Template. It’s FREE, and when you sign up you will also receive (if you don’t already) my FREE, weekly Finding Time Tips and my FREE, monthly Award-Winning Finding Time E-zine!

Let’s explore time together …

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