Podcast Summary
Embrace the lack of choice on 'black and white' days: On days with one project, focus deeply to make progress and improve workflow for subsequent projects
Having multiple choices or options can be beneficial for productivity, but there are also days when having only one choice can be a good thing. These "black and white" days, where there's no choice but to focus on one project, can be challenging to execute, but they can also help us get into a deep work flow and make significant progress. On days when we have the flexibility to choose which project to work on, it's essential to identify the one that will give us the most momentum and tackle it first. However, when faced with a day where there's only one project to focus on, it can be helpful to embrace the lack of choice and use it to our advantage. As Henry Ford famously said, "You can have any color car you want, as long as it's black." Similarly, on these days, we may not have the luxury of choosing which project to work on, but we can still make the most of the situation by diving in and getting started. Once we've made progress on the one project, we'll often find that we're in a better work mode and can tackle subsequent projects more efficiently. Ultimately, whether we have multiple choices or just one, the key is to stay focused, be adaptable, and make the most of the opportunities in front of us.
Break down large projects into smaller tasks: Overcome initial resistance by focusing on smaller tasks in large projects, leading to steady progress and growth.
Even large and seemingly overwhelming projects can be tackled by breaking them down into smaller tasks and focusing on completing one bit at a time. Resistance may be present, but it's important to push through and not let it deter you from starting. The initial reluctance to begin can often be due to the perceived complexity of the project, but once you get started, progress can be made relatively easily. It's essential to remember that big projects are just a collection of smaller tasks and that the key to success is to focus on the process rather than the end goal. By breaking down large projects into manageable tasks, we can overcome the initial resistance and make steady progress towards completion. Additionally, it's important to remember that taking on big projects can lead to growth and learning new skills, making the effort worthwhile.
Break down large projects into smaller tasks: Starting large projects feels intimidating, but breaking them down into smaller tasks makes them more manageable and easier to start. Identify a subtask that appeals to you and start there to build momentum.
Overcoming the intimidation of large projects and the resistance to starting them can be achieved by breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This strategy makes the seemingly daunting tasks more approachable and easier to start. The resistance to starting a task is often strong but thin, meaning it takes a lot of effort to get started but once you do, it disappears. Therefore, finding a small subtask of the larger project that appeals to you and starting there can help you overcome the initial resistance and build momentum. Every large project consists of smaller subtasks, so identifying and starting with the easiest or most appealing one can help you make progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. The key is to just start and not worry too much about the overall design or strategy of the project if it's never started in the first place.
Just start to overcome initial resistance: Starting a task, no matter how small or daunting, helps build momentum and overcome initial resistance. Procrastination and overthinking can be major obstacles, but taking the first step leads to a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Starting a task, no matter how daunting it may seem, is the most important step towards finishing it. Using the analogy of farming, if you need to weed your farm plot, it's best to start with the smallest bed or the area around the perimeter. The same applies to making sales calls, writing a blog post, or working on a project. Procrastination and overthinking can be major obstacles, but once you start, momentum builds, and the initial resistance often turns out to be much thinner than anticipated. Many people fail to finish projects because they never start in the first place. So, the next time you're facing a task that seems overwhelming, remember to just start. You may find that the experience is not as bad as you thought, and the sense of accomplishment you'll feel upon completion will be worth the effort. As the famous quote goes, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." So, be nice to yourself, be thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow, and do the work.
