Coaching Information

How to Crack a Daunting Task!


If you have a daunting task and the mere thought of it overwhelms you, it's probably too big to implement directly and should be broken down into actionable parts. I find this happens to me frequently -- I see the big strategic goal that I want to achieve, but become paralyzed thinking about the size of the project. To accomplish my overall goal, I need to crack this task into small doable pieces. In that way, I keep it simple and focused on one thing at a time.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself to Break a Big Daunting Task into Actionable Pieces

Ask yourself the following questions and write down all the answers you come up with. It works best if you can find a quiet, peaceful, comfortable place to do this where you won't be interrupted.

1. What is the specific overall goal or task you want to achieve?

Be as clear as possible and include as many dates and or numbers as you can. If you are in business, you may have an overall task to "Create $50,000.00 of revenue from new online products within three months." You could also identify more details including information about the target market, the type of products, etc. You can also apply this to personal tasks. For example, you may have an overall objective to "Eliminate clutter in three rooms in my home within two months with processes to maintain it."

2. What information do you need first to complete your goal or task?

I often find I can't take action until I get further information, especially at the beginning of a big task. For example, if your task is to eliminate clutter and you don't really know where to start, you might need information on how to eliminate clutter and what tips the experts recommend. To gather this information you may choose to complete an Internet search or visit the local library and searching under organization or decluttering. Or you could choose to hire a professional organizer to provide some personal assistance.

3. What necessary steps do you foresee?

Again, be as specific as possible. This may seem unnecessary, but if you can write down the required steps to complete your project, it can start to feel less daunting. I often find that I end up with around five steps to complete -- each of them may take me some time to accomplish, but with only five or less steps, it's much easier to get my head around the overall task.

4. Who else should be involved, and what do you require or want them to do?

Make sure you consider both required and desired assistance. There will be times when you need support, but don't forget to also ask for help when it will make the task easier for you and or lighten your load. I find that this step very helpful because we often forget about all the contacts that we really do have -- and the contacts that these people have that they could match us up with if necessary.

5. What should be your very first step, and when do you have to take it?

The first step is always the key to getting started. Often I find this is something I have already identified as part of my response to questions two or four above.

Copyright 2004 Donna P. Lendzyk

Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to "Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results." She is the author of the multi-media "Overcome Overwhelm eProgram." To learn more about her eProgram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Gambling911.com

Hawkins hasn't changed, according to his old coaches
ESPN - 17 hours ago
DALLAS -- Tomorrow amongst the ferris wheels and corn dogs, we'll celebrate the kind of coaching rivalry that used to mark college football. In the Big Ten, ...
Red River Rivalry: Another clash of top coaches Dallas Morning News
Known for his D, Stoops has turned OU into an offensive dynamo CNN International
OU coach Stoops has uplifted Sooner Nation Houston Chronicle
The Associated Press - USA Today
all 159 news articles


Coaching decisions on deck for Yanks
MLB.com - Oct 10, 2008
... the organization has opened discussions regarding potential changes for 2009, including -- but not limited to -- the coaching staff. ...
Yankees mull coach switches New York Daily News
all 3 news articles


The Associated Press

Old friends finally get chance to face off together in the bigs
ESPN - 1 hour ago
Last season, Bruce Boudreau led the Capitals to the playoffs in his first NHL coaching campaign. Anderson nearly walked into the visitors' dressing room ...
Thrashers-Panthers Preview USA Today
Thrashers install system aimed at increasing their offensive ... Gwinnett Daily Post
Winning A Game That Last Year They Wouldn't Have Atlanta Journal Constitution
CBSSports.com - Globe and Mail
all 226 news articles


Ninemsn

Ponting praises Chappell's coaching role
AFP - 11 hours ago
SYDNEY (AFP) — Ricky Ponting has praised the coaching work of former Test great Greg Chappell in helping the Australian team adjust to the demands of ...
Ponting 1 Harbhajan 0 CricInfo.com
all 1,172 news articles


Opelika Auburn News

Coaching saga permeates game Auburn, Arkansas contest
Press-Register - al.com, AL - 8 hours ago
He returns today as head coach at Arkansas, taking his new team into an equally volatile environment. The Tigers (4-2, 2-2 SEC) and Arkansas (2-3, ...
Petrino, Tuberville coaching flap? History Memphis Commercial Appeal
Time to take a step forward Times Daily (subscription)
Petrino, Tuberville Not Focused On Controversy The Morning News
Baxter Bulletin - Florida Times-Union
all 179 news articles


MLB Notebook: Reds' Baker takes 'dream' coaching job
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Oct 9, 2008
AP This weekend, Baker will be the fill-in coach for 9-year-old son Darren's 10-and-under traveling tournament team. Baker, 59, spent his first season as ...
Dusty Baker gets fall coaching gig - his son's team Sacramento Bee
all 119 news articles


Coaching staffs will make impact in Red River Rivalry
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 12 hours ago
Staff vs. staff: From a coaching standpoint, this could be the most interesting matchup in recent memory. New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has ...


MLive.com

Albion's Turner leaving MIAA coaching fraternity
MLive.com, MI - Oct 10, 2008
For the first time, the two longtime friends, and two of the deans of NCAA Division III coaching, cried together. "We wept over the phone. ...


The watercooler: Coaching tips for managers
TrainingZone.co.uk, UK - 3 hours ago
I was recently asked to put together an article for our internal newsletter on coaching, as we invested heavily in coaching and leadership development ...


Coach on a wire
Edmonton Sun,  Canada - 7 hours ago
By JASON HILLS, SUN MEDIA The legendary Clare Drake coached the Alberta Golden Bears hockey team for 28 seasons. Billy Moores was behind the bench for 17, ...

Coaching - Google News

home | site map
© 2006