I cannot tell you how deeply I think this is true. It is advice I spew at the children who work in my office all the time. Don’t just think of the goal.
Think about the plan. The steps.
I also cannot tell you how often I fail at this very very good advice.
Today was one of those days. I had a plan for the Pantry. What would would happen in what order.
I didn’t have a plan for the chaos that now exists and so every time my timer goes off I just sort of faff about without accomplishing much. For example I just threw a bunch of dusty tupperware into soapy water. I want to use it for the all the pasta I have accumulated but which is all in different sizes boxes and it looks crappy and it’s harder to store efficiently.
This is actually NOT addressing chaos. This is fine tuning the already done Pantry. I’m doing this because I don’t have a step by step on dealing with the chaos, so I’m not doing it.
Admitting it is the first step – so, there. It’s done. Admitted.
Now we must create a plan. What will happen everytime the timer goes off. Small 5 minute tasks that can get done every 20 minutes or so. If you are looking at cleaning out a closet or corner or room, I suggest this method. I do it for everything in my life, but for normal adjusted people it helps with overwhelming projects. You don’t exhaust yourself, you don’t overwhelm yourself with one task. All of it is doable. And usually transferable. If you don’t get it all done today, the list of tasks remains and can be continued one at a time later.
In my case, there is no reason not get it all done today. It’s not that big a problem. Even without labels. Which I think we all realize is the real barrier to finishing this project.
It's a Thought 