Compliments of Sarah Murray via Flickr

Have you ever been overwhelmed at starting an extremely large project? Overcome with a sense of dread that you might not get things done, not know where to begin, and as a result thrust hamstrung into a state of inaction?

Delineating large endeavors into “baby steps” is helpful in eliminating mental clutter, and the feeling that you will never finish. As the saying goes, “The journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step.” Have you considered an old fashioned outline, or for the tech savvy, organizational tools like MindMap or SmartDraw?

A comprehensive visual of respective parts puts you in the driver’s seat. The most important first step is simply putting one foot in front of the other – efforts that may not be the finished product, but enough achievement each day to make you feel like you’re accomplishing something. Sustained effort is key. On your day planner or electronic calendar, have you blocked off dedicated time to keep you on track? Do you unequivocally honor these commitments, no matter what occurs?

It’s easy to get sidetracked if we make excuses, and likely for us to fall off and lose our momentum if we catch that favorite show – instead of putting our nose to the respective grindstone. Eliminate distraction at the outset. You may even take the radical step of storing your remote control in an inaccessible location (at least while you’re working).

The twenty second rule suggests that small activities (which take that long to complete) prompt redirection. For the greater good, could you hide your Xbox, SMART phone, video game, or sundry electronic diversion? Delayed gratification (and a temporary loss of short term pleasure) is necessary to fulfill our long term destiny.

How to eat a smorgasbord? One bite at a time.