Getting started

So there it is, it just sits there ‘on the back burner’, present in your mind but nothing is actually happening. There is a saying that goes ‘The best way to eat an Elephant is one mouthful at a time’ but just where do you start? If this hits a chord with you then here is one neat way of becoming clearer about some of the bite size actions needed and in particular how to get clear on that all important first step. It involves asking yourself two questions which you repeat until your Elephant is in ‘bite’ size chunks and importantly you have clarity about the first mouthful!

The two questions to ask of your ‘big project’ are firstly “Can I do that today?” (The answer will probably be NO because we are talking big projects.) So next ask the second question which is “So what do I have to do first?” Take your answer to this second question and repeat your first question. Keep this cycle of questions going until your answers create a pathway of clear steps with a starting step that is something ‘you can actually do today’ and take this as your way of getting started – the first mouthful! To illustrate how this works I have chosen one of my big projects that hasn’t got started. For some time now I have had in mind that I want to write and publish a Children’s book, not just an engaging and readable book but one that would sow the seeds for all kinds of valuable life skills for the future. However in spite of my great intentions I just haven’t got started! So here are the questions applied to my Elephant (I have kept the answers brief and they don’t show the full picture so pay more attention to the process than the answers!)

So my ‘big project’ is – To write and publish a Children’s Book.

QUESTION? “Can I write and publish the book today?” ANSWER. ‘NO’
QUESTION? “What would I have to do first?” ANSWER. “Find a Publisher”
QUESTION? “Can I do that today?” ANSWER. ‘NO’
QUESTION? “What would I have to do first?” ANSWER. “Write a summary of the chapters”
QUESTION? “Can I do that today?” ANSWER. ‘NO’
QUESTION? “What would I have to do first?” ANSWER. “Decide on a theme”
QUESTION? “Can I do that today?” ANSWER. ‘NO’
QUESTION? “What would I have to do first?” ANSWER. “Choose a title”
QUESTION? “Can I do that today?” ANSWER. ‘NO’
QUESTION? “What would I have to do first?” ANSWER. “Brainstorm some ideas to choose from”
QUESTION? “Can I do that today?” ANSWER. ‘YES’.

So by repeating the two questions I have arrived at what looks like a realistic first step that I can actually do today. In fact this has stimulated my thinking and I have made a start on this already and jotted down a few ideas. How about this for a possible title ‘Biskit the well sorted bear’ - what do you think? I also now have a pathway of steps that are the beginnings of a project plan. You may well find that as you do this it opens up a number of parallel pathways all leading to the same goal, this happened for me but I have only mentioned one pathway for simplicity. Many people find it useful to map their answers out on to a mind map or flow chart and also to put in timescales. The important thing is that all pathways to your goal now become clearer and the first step you have identified is quick and simple enough to do TODAY! Once your first step is completed you can use the same principle to re-set your plan and define further actions as and when you need to. This simple process can be applied to a wide range of areas from losing weight and getting fitter to moving house or changing career. It can also be a great tool in business, imagine for example a business meeting discussing a project that just doesn’t seem to be getting off the drawing board and where nobody seems able to make or even define a start. These are simple but powerful questions that can focus minds. So Elephants Beware!

I hope you have enjoyed this tip and will find it valuable for yourself or for others. If you have any questions or comments please do feel free to email me at info@betterbalance.co.uk
and many other people can also benefit from this information by simply adding their email to the box on www.betterbalance.co.uk

Best wishes Jeff Gill ICF Credentialed Coach




Getting started - To learn more about this author, visit Jeff Gill's Website.

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