If you have a daunting task and the mere thought of it overwhelms you Ozzie Smith Jersey , 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 St. Louis Cardinals Jersey , 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 Ichiro Suzuki Jersey , 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 Felix Hernandez Jersey , 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 Nelson Cruz Jersey , 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
I'm almost always a calm and collected person. Or at least I think I am. Yet on rare occasions, when I least expect it, some set of circumstances, emotions Robinson Cano Jersey , or harsh words will override my calm capacity and spark a momentary surge of temper. 'Ever happen to you?
For instance, I remember a business meeting where I once felt that one individual was chopping down every idea I suggested - often before I'd finished explaining it. After a few rounds of interruptions, I retorted: "Well, if you'd let me complete an idea, it might not be as bad as you think." The tone of my remark put a hush on the meeting. Embarrassed by my response Seattle Mariners Jersey , I resolved to stay quite during the rest of the meeting. The other person didn't say much either. Actually I felt really bad about barking at that person, who probably didn't even realize they were cutting me off.
A day or two later I got up the courage to give this person a call. We both apologized and agreed that temper had gotten the best of us. Our moment of mutual contrition became a quiet pact of mutual respect. In subsequent meetings we became better listeners, especially to each other, and often supportive of each other's ideas.
Over the years I've learned a lot about tempering, and even eliminating temper or anger in my thoughts and words. It can be done! One of my favorite spirituality writers Mary Baker Eddy states this point simply: "The good in human affection must have ascendancy over the evil Madison Bumgarner Jersey , or happiness will never be won. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)"
Over the years, I think I've gained much greater control over temper and anger by cultivating the good in my human affection so it can have ascendancy over any tendency to fight evil with evil. It's like putting on a hate-proof armor when I strive to see the innate goodness in myself and others - all others. I like to think of unselfish goodness as the normal disposition of all of God's children. Striving to view others this way has, many times, prevented me from being irked by harsh words, or even malicious acts. Because siding with unconditional goodness overrides the human nature to react.
This type of approach is summed up by the profound truth Brandon Crawford Jersey , known as the Golden Rule, expressed in many beliefs and moral traditions: "Do undo others, as you would have them do unto you." Following this promotes the ascendancy of goodness. It quells temper, cools the hot buttons of hatred or revenge, and brings dominion and peace to our lives.