Breaking Large Projects Into Smaller Tasks

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! This silly joke may not make sense to an elephant, but it is great time management advice. Breaking large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks is the solution to that annoying human tendency - procrastination.

Both Type A and Type B women procrastinate. The reasons, however, are different. The Type A woman will put a project off until she can get it all done at once. If that project requires a particularly big chunk of time to accomplish it in its entirety, it may never get done!

The Type B woman, on the other hand, looks at a large project and whines, "It's too big. I just can't do it." The longer she procrastinates, the larger it looms in her mind until it becomes overwhelming!

While the motivation of procrastinating may be different, the answer is the same for both types of women. Take that large project and break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Using your Busy Woman's Daily Planner will make this concept work!

Let's say the project you have been putting off is the cleaning of your closet. Every time you open it you are reminded as you duck to avoid the falling box, grab what you need and quickly slam the door to avoid an avalanche. After each encounter you mutter, "I really need to clean that closet!"

Under Goals For The Month write it down. Next, divide it up between the weeks in the month. Under Goals For The Week write, "Clean three closet shelves." Now, assign cleaning one shelf to three separate days during the week, listing it on your Daily Pages under "Chores."

Now, instead of looking at the whole closet, you are only facing one measly shelf. One shelf in a closet is a cinch. You invest a little time and you're done with your "assignment" for the day. Continue this for a few weeks and your closet will be clean with little effort and no disruption to your normal schedule.

The closet is just an example. Yours may be immaculate but another project looms large in your mind. From planning weddings to cleaning closets, this concept will end procrastination and help you get things done!

©2001 Susie Glennan

Susie Glennan has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3 teenagers, and is a Home Maker, Nurturer, Teacher, Author, Professional Speaker, Toastmaster, President of The Busy Woman, Inc., DBA - The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. She teaches time management seminars, offers FREE consultations with your order, and will help you set up a schedule that's right for you. 800-848-7715 ­ www.thebusywoman.com