Struggling to get started on a big project? Stuck at the halfway point? Perhaps it’s time for a different approach. Personal-development blogger Steve Pavlina suggests breaking a large project down into “microtasks” — small, easily accomplished action items that can be completed in under 30 minutes. Here’s the idea in a nutshell:
A microtask outline is like a recipe. When you follow a recipe, you’re able to focus on the process of doing without having to worry about how you’re going to do it. You just need to follow the steps exactly as they’re written. Similarly, when you create a microtask outline for a project, you separate planning from doing. This helps the action phase go more smoothly, and it’s easier to slide into a productive flow. You know that if you follow your outline, you’re going to get a result. It may not be perfect, but it will get done.
I couldn’t agree more. Though I don’t always start my projects with these activity-driven outlines, I’ll often turn to them when the work seems overwhelming and impossible. Then I just look at the first small item on the list, and immediately think: “Oh, I can do that.” Give microtasking a try and let us know how it goes!
