There are times when working on a project that you just feel stuck. It feels like you are trying to run through waist deep water.
If you want to unstick that project, step away from it for a while and do an analysis of what is working and what is not working.
What can you control and what is non-negotiable? Acknowledge what is non-negotiable and focus on what you can control.
What can you control?
· Amount of time you spend
Think about how much time you spend overall or at any given work session. Sometimes when you are working, ideas just keep coming and you want to spend as much time as you can on a work session. Other times you feel like nothing is working right. That’s when you want to set your timer for 10 or 20 minutes just to keep the project open and then switch tasks and work on a different task.
· Time of day you work
Choose a time a day to work on your project where you tend to be productive. I’m a morning person so I like to knock out creative work then. I don’t do well if I am hungry, so I avoid times right before meals. It’s important to listen to your body and if you are trying to work when you are tired or hungry you will not make good progress.
· The number of resources you use
When looking for information for your project it is easy to spend way too much time. It’s easy to get stuck on your project by over researching. Set time limits and allow yourself to say, “good enough” and use the resources you already have found. The project does not have to be perfect. It just has to be workable. You can always tweak it later.
· Plowing on alone or asking for assistance
If you are stuck on your project and have tried all that you can think of to get unstuck, call on someone to give you some assistance. Maybe all you need is to have someone listen to what difficulties you are having. A brainstorming session with a colleague can help you see the project differently. Even turning over a part of the project to someone else will help you concentrate on what is working for you.
· Your attitude
Your attitude greatly affects your success with your projects. If you are stuck on a project, you may be allowing negative self-talk.
A favorite quote usually attributed to Henry Ford is, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re usually right.”
If you tell yourself that the project is too difficult or that it is beyond your skillset, then you will allow yourself to become stuck.
If you tell yourself that although this project is difficult you are strengthening some of your skillsets and having an opportunity to grow, then you will become unstuck.
Making a list of all that has been accomplished and then celebrating those wins can help you move forward again. Pull out a notebook or your journal and write down everything that you have done on this project and previous projects that have worked for you. Keep this list bookmarked and refer to it anytime things slow down.
In conclusion:
If your project is going nowhere and you feel stuck, stop thinking about what is wrong and concentrate on what you can do to make some changes.
If you want some assistance on your project join Diane Quintina and me for one of our support groups. We can help you with next steps to complete your project.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.
We've all been there - stuck in that waist-deep water. Your suggestions are so effective. I can see using them all or selecting a specific one depending on which aspect your stuck on.
One of the things I often see is an expectation that a project needs to be accomplished all at once. That's never possible, but that wishful thinking can derail us. Recognizing that projects have stages is important. But equally important is recognizing when you feel stuck at a specific stage. Things might have been swimming along famously and then stop. Being able to identify what's going on is the first step in taking an action to move you forward.
As you said, that might mean asking for…