Time Management Tip: What to Keep in Mind When Starting a Project

Starting a project at home or work?

Wondering what you should keep in mind when it comes to time management?

Today’s post provides you with some hints to help keep you on the straight and narrow.

Think time and task.

It happens to the best of us .You start a project thinking, “Oh, I have plenty of time, the due date for this project is 35 days in the future.” Trouble is, if you keep this same thought over the course of your project, then you’re certain to run into some scheduling difficulties… the due date will be here before you know it! Practice a mindful approach towards time combined with tasks. Instead of just saying, “Oh, I have 35 days to complete the project,” reframe your statement with actionable steps. You could say, “I have 35 days to complete the project and here’s what I’m going to do today to work towards the project…” Repeat every day until the project is complete.

No project is an island.

It’s not uncommon to only think of yourself when working on a project, but chances are you will have to interact with others or deal with material items. You may need to order equipment or supplies (which takes time), speak to a colleague or expert (which takes time), conduct some research (which takes time), prepare a space or material (which takes time)…I could go on and I but think you catch my drift. It takes time for interactions of all sorts, so don’t forget to factor this into your project work.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CALENDAR.

The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management is a hands-on workbook that provides practical solutions to common, everyday time management problems.

Click here to learn more about the workbook >> 

When in doubt…act!

This is probably one of the few times in life when you should leap before you look. If you are at odds over when you should start a component of your project, then simply start. The more time you wait to do something, the more time you waste. Feeling overwhelmed? Ease into things by starting and completing a small, innocuous task. You could make a phone call, place an order, locate materials, take to someone, whatever. Just do something that is related to your project. Action begets action. Go ahead and take that first step!

Now to you…what time management blocks or problems do you have when it comes to starting a project? Let’s see if we can’t help you out. Leave a comment below and join in the conversation!

Rashelle Isip Productivity Coach and Founder of The Order Expert®

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity coach, consultant, and founder of The Order Expert®. With over 16 years of experience, she helps entrepreneurs and executives replace the "hustle and grind" mindset with one of "ease and flow." Rashelle is a former contributing columnist for Inc.com and Lifehack.org, and has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, and NPR. She is the author of four books, including The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management. When not helping clients master their schedules, she enjoys scouting for practical, well-designed office supplies. Learn more at TheOrderExpert.com.

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Productivity coaching Mindset-driven productivity Work-life balance Organization systems Productivity for entrepreneurs Time management