Do you have a big project which you have always wanted to do, but somehow you always delay starting it? Or perhaps you sometimes make a start, but life gets in the way, and you run out of energy before you have completed it?
If you really do want to get something achieved, here are five tips to help you.
1 - DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO
Not what you THINK you love to do. What you ACTUALLY love to do. There's a big difference. If your project is only there because of a sense of duty, you will find it ten times harder to complete. But if it's something you love to do anyway, then you already have motivation, and each task will be much easier.
2 - BUILD YOUR DAILY TIMETABLE AROUND YOUR PROJECT, AND GIVE IT TIME!
If your usual day includes nothing of your project, then don't be surprised if you get nothing done. Many people have very busy days - the only problem is, it's busy with all the wrong things. Begin by defining an hour in the day that you will dedicate to YOUR activity. Then tell everyone who asks that you're not available at that time for anything - you have an appointment - an appointment with yourself :-) If, at first, you waste the time, don't worry - that's very common. At least you knew what you were supposed to be doing! Try harder next time. In the end, you'll develop your new routine, and then you can expand the dedicated time accordingly.
3 - CREATE A WRITTEN PLAN AND DIARIZE MANAGEABLE TASKS
Many people suffer from a mental block: they know where they want to get to, but they don't know what to do next to get closer to the goal. It all seems too much, so they give up. To avoid this, set aside specific time to do your planning, and break down your activities into achievable tasks. Make sure you start with something you can manage, and diarise it. Once your plan has an existence external to your mind, it takes the pressure off your brain to remember everything, and you can concentrate on the next task properly. Write down the future - i.e. your next few planned tasks. But also write down the past - i.e. keep a record or diary of what you have done or created so far. It will give you a sense of achievement.
4 - BUILD A SUPPORT AND INFORMATION NETWORK
The great thing about the information age is that there are usually thousands of people trying to achieve similar projects. This means that you will be able to join supportive groups of like-minded people; you will be amazed at the encouragement and pleasure you will encounter if you start sharing regular news and activities. Another advantage of the information age is the amount of advice you can find on your chosen subject. Create for yourself a little library at home; and you can also create a computer store of relevant links to useful information and discussions.
5 - KEEP ON STARTING AGAIN
Many people get discouraged by the number of times they give up. But, as long as you re-start as many times as you give up, then you're winning. Start to enjoy travelling towards your goal, even if progress is slow and steady. If you are learning to cook, for instance, treat every single day as a new opportunity to practice. If things go wrong, so much the better - you have learned something!
For more information about starting again, see:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/procrastination-get-done
