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Tackling a Big Project

Dec 30th, 2011 by

I just ran across these notes from a talk I attended years ago.  I feel bad that I did not write the name of the speaker to give her the credit.  There are some great points I want to pass on…

THOUGHTS BECOME ACTIONS.  CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK.

Procrastination Stoppers

  1. 80/20 Rule.  An italian economist in 1895 surmised that we spend 20% = vital few/80% = trivial many
    1. Invest 20% of your time that makes 80% of your income
    2. Tackle the 20% “vital few” first: (mine are: Quiet time, homeschool, home management)
    3. You need to sit at the feet of Jesus if you are going to minister to your children.
    4. Commit to only doing the vital few everyday.  The others come as time allows.
    5. The bigger the project, the bigger the reward.
    6. Make a list of your 20/80
    7. Create a sub-list for the “vital few”.  (Ex. my 20% for homeschool would be: Bible, math, language arts)
  2. Singularity- just do the next thing.  Don’t think of the whole project; just think of the next thing.  (How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time…)
  3. Talent -Natural or Learned: If you are really good at one think, but do another, you are not utilizing the gifts God gave you to the best.  What can you do that will most bless your family?
  4. Protect your Assets-
    1. Take care of yourself.  Take care of your children.  It might cost you more initially, but look at the long run.
    2. Know your peak and pace.  Take it slow and steady.
    3. Intercede for your family.  Instruct them, involve them, teach them.
  5. Silence- This is when God speaks to you.  Take time to disconnect from cell phones, computers, children, etc.
    1. Technology is your servant; not your master.
  6. Slice it Thin – Do a little at a time.  Break it into small projects.
    1. Don’t just “clean the living room”
      1. Fold blankets
      2. put away toys
      3. dust
      4. vacuum
  7. Time- Create chunks of time.
    1. Do the same thing everyday for an allotted amount of time.
    2. Compartmentalize.
    3. Plan out your time (Do all your calls at the same time.)

Place items on a whiteboard or notebook:

  1. collect the thoughts -action items get a checkbox
  2. if the action item is 2 minutes or less- do it now!
  3. if it is a project – break it down into steps and move ahead one step at a time.
  4. code something if you are waiting for a response, so you don’t have to read it over and over.

Posted in ORGANIZE

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