5 Quick Ways to Kick Your Project into Gear
So you have a project to get done and you don’t know where to start — we’ve got you! The fear of starting a new project might be tough, but you’re tougher. Over the years, I’ve implemented some healthy and productive work habits that create an environment where I feel confident and comfortable to give every project my all. In the process of figuring out what was helpful and what was harmful, I’ve found some simple helpful tricks that have made all the difference, and I think they may help you too!
1. Change Your Scenery
The first step I take in pushing myself into a productive mindset is to physically put myself in a productive space. It may sound basic, but your surroundings play a massive role into your psychology, and having a set apart space for working is so vital.
The most productive spaces for me usually revolve around somewhere that I can have my laptop and a good cup of coffee. Coffee shops and libraries have always been safe havens for working for me, and if the weather is nice, public parks or my backyard can also do the trick. The main tip here is to get out of the place that gets you stuck. If you usually work from home, try to get outside. If you’re used to a large office setting, see if you can schedule a remote work day. Do whatever you can and whatever works for you to switch up the place that you’re used to working from.
2. Write Things Down With Pen and Paper
We live in a predominantly digital age full of shared calendars, google drives, and zoom calls. Sometimes, taking the extra time to write things down, old school style, helps get your thoughts out in a different way and gives you a great record to come back to. If you walk into our office, you’ll see piles and piles of composition notebooks and colorful spiral bound notebooks that look like they could supply a middle school classroom for years. These notebooks are full of ideas, sketches, lists, and schedules that were drafted on paper before being set in stone on our digital workspaces. Each of these notebooks are worth their weight in gold for how much they’ve contributed to our projects, and how much value they added to our work by us being able to brainstorm trains of thought and follow where they led. Putting down your thoughts to paper is also a great opportunity for you to establish your goals for the project and brainstorm ways to work towards them!
3. Make A List, Then Break It Down
I. Love. Lists. Seriously, I could not possibly advocate for them any more. Lists are an amazing way to organize your thoughts and lay out all of your responsibilities. Take some time to write down an itemized list of what you need to get done in your project. Start with an end in mind and work your way towards it -- you can work backwards by beginning with the finished project and then figuring out what steps you need to get there, allowing for room for edits as you work through the specifics. Usually, these lists can get long and overwhelming, and that’s alright -- you then have the chance to break down that list into small tasks that can easily be achieved. There are few things in the world that feel as good as checking something off of a to-do list, and productivity is sort of a chain reaction. Having small, specific tasks not only helps make goals more attainable, but the more productive you feel, the more productive you’ll be!
4. Create Accountability for Yourself
Getting the ball rolling on that big project is great, but now you need to keep it moving! Project specific outlets for accountability will ensure that you keep putting in the legwork and get that project done. Depending on the type of work you’re doing, this could either be a digital planner that lets you set deadlines and sends you reminders, or you could have a team member, partner, or friend check in on you and the work that you’re doing. The key here is to be honest in your work and progress. Don’t try to cut corners or sell yourself short, because the only person that you’re cheating is yourself! Set real, achievable checkpoints for your project, and do all that you can to go above and beyond your goals.
5. Reward Yourself for Your Progress
Congratulations! The hardest part is now over! You dug yourself out of that rut, pushed open the door, and got your project in gear! The biggest hurdle in starting a project can often be placed there ourselves, and you just got passed that! We’re so proud of you, and you should be too. Now, it’s time to reward yourself for your hard work. Whether it’s a night of self-care, ordering your favorite takeout, or getting the extra fancy coffee the next time you’re out, do something nice for yourself at the end of each checkpoint to motivate you to keep working and celebrate what you just did.
Pro tip: Establishing what your reward is before you reach it can be a great motivator, but feel free to leave some wiggle room for whatever you might be feeling in the moment!
Now go out and start that project! You’re going to crush it.