How to Get a Big Project Done Faster
© 2007 - 2009 Kendall SummerHawk
I'm patient with people and animals but one thing I am NOT patient with is the time it takes to get stuff done. So when I had to get my new website written I knew I had to do something to make the project fast, fun, and simple.
Writing an entire website from scratch in just 6 working days (and no, I didn't work over the weekend) is no mean feat to accomplish. And it's not like I had all day, every day to do it either. I had coaching clients, teleclasses, email to take care of. You know, the usual demands any business likes to make of us.
What I didn't do is put it off, tell myself I couldn't do it, or lose sight of my goal. My new website was going live NO MATTER WHAT!
Before I share with you the five actions I took to get a big project done quickly and easily, let me ask you a question:
What is a project you have on your desk right now?
How great would it feel to have it finished?
So, here are the 5 actions I took to make starting—and finishing—my project possible. They'll work for your project too if you just say "yes" and don't let any excuse stand in your way!
Action #1 Decide
I'm not talking about the wimpy kind of decision that sounds something
like, "Sure, I'd like to get three speaking gigs lined up soon."
That isn't a decision. It's just wishful thinking.
The kind of decision I'm talking about sounds like, "I have three new speaking gigs at the end of the week!"
Action #2 Attention
Since this project is a priority you give it attention. What amazes
me is that it doesn't take much time, it just takes attention to get
what you want accomplished.
I gave my website project attention every day. No slacking, no excuses. I just did it. I didn't work on it full time because I didn't have full time. It still got done.
Action #3 Aim
Being a perfectionist, I embraced this project as the perfect opportunity
to aim for a different goal. Completion, not perfection. What a relief!
I knew if I fiddled with each page until it was perfect I would never
meet my goal. So up those pages went. Perfectly, wonderfully, imperfect.
Now that the project is done I can fiddle with the pages all I want.
Or not.
Action #4 Focus
Big projects have lots of little steps. I was not about to let overwhelm
sneak in and sabotage my progress. So I made a list of each step,
down to the last nitty-gritty detail. Then I worked the list. It kept
me on track and made it easy to celebrate success as each item was
checked off.
Action #5 Team
I started my project last Thursday. By Monday (about half way) I said,
"Why am I doing this all alone?" and promptly emailed a
long list of items to my trusty virtual assistant.
She plunged in and had a blast blazing her way through her assignment.
I felt relieved. She was cheering me on. And her help ensured my success.
Now it's your turn! Pick a project that's been hanging around too long and follow the same simple steps I use. Then let me know about your success and I'll send you a personalized congratulations email!
About the author:
Kendall SummerHawk, Million Dollar Marketing Coach, delivers smart, savvy ways entrepreneurs can turn their hectic business into a smooth-running, fun, 6-figure money-making dream. To learn more about her book, Brilliance Unbridled, and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.kendallsummerhawk.com
NOTE: You are welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end). I would also appreciate a copy of your reprint sent to kendall@kendallsummerhawk.com