When there are 15 projects going on simultaneously, hundreds of emails and calls piled up (unanswered) and a constant lineup of people in the office doorway (where's the "take a number" system when you need it!?) it's easy to want to shrivel up and crawl under the floor. Progress seems overwhelming and impossible!
How to make real progress, then?
2) Once you have gained momentum by finishing one task, pick another one and JUST DO IT again.... and again. After many tiny steps, you will eventually see noticeable progress.
3) Break very large projects down into smaller steps. Create several "milestones" or mini-accomplishments, maybe 5 to 10 of them. Then put milestones in sequential order and start working on the first one. Viewing big projects in smaller chunks makes them seem more feasible and less overwhelming.
- delegate smaller parts of the job to others
- create a list and sort into A, B, C priority (always do A priorities first)
- apply the 30-second rule: if you can finish something in 30 seconds, JUST DO IT
5) Find and maintain support systems:
- utilize a work buddy where you can ask for help or with whom you can bounce ideas around,
- find someone to help review/reprioritize your total workload strategically at the "50,000 foot level"
- exercise regularly (walk, run, do yoga, play sports) to offload the mental stress
Progress will come in waves -- it will seem like nothing happens for days or weeks, but you may be surprised at the traction and progress when you look back over a period of time. Don't forget what you have already accomplished -- shift your expectations to smaller chunks of achievement, and you will be more positively motivated toward future success!
