One thing at a time.

As a Certified Scrum Master, we are taught how vital it is to work on one thing at a time.  In our world today, we are constantly expected to multitask but our brains work much better when we focus on ONE thing at a time.  Taking something, completing it,and moving on allows us to make progress.  If you stop mid-stream for something else, there is serious recovery time needed for you to get back into the groove.

Analogy: Imagine your task is to fill water cups for a group of 10 people.  You could put a small drop of water in each cup, go round and round, and eventually fill all 10.  Or, you could fill each cup individually.  The latter allows those first people to gain the benefit of the water and also allows you to completely move on to the next cup.

Break complex goals into tasks.

The GTD methodology works well here. 

  1. Write down your project’s purpose and desired outcome. 
  2. Then list out the very next actions that will get you there.
    • Next actions are not high level (like put up Christmas lights), they are specific and highlight the next physical action (drive to Menards, buy new LED lights, grab ladder from garage, install lights). 

This distinction in task building is crucial and avoids the trap of nebulous, unattainable tasks.

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