Been given a project and can’t get started! Eek

[Ahumanjellyfish]

I’ve been given a project at work. Projects aren’t a usual part of my daily schedule.

Each time I get started, I write a paragraph, then cross it out. I feel crowded overwhelmed, and keep stopping and starting. I was given it a few weeks ago, in addition to my usual day to day other work tasks, that are probably more complex but I just can’t seem to get the project done, I know I have to, and I try and break it down. Write something rubbish then stop..

I feel like I’m 15 again. Eek, help any Tips?

Hi. If you are new to projects, it can feel overwhelming but everyone starts somewhere.

An online forum is not the place for you to get project related training, coaching or mentoring.

Is there someone in your organisation who is experienced in project work - project managers or just someone who works on a lot of projects similar to the one you have been given? If so, arrange for them to be your mentor (or buddy - whatever language works for your org) while you work on this- to give you guidance. The main thing is to ask for the help you need sooner rather than later. No one will thank you for keeping quiet about struggles.

Bullet points. Then start putting in "lower" bullet points. Much more manageable and you can chip away at it.

do you have an example of a similar document that previous people have written? print it out & study it. label each paragraph for its function, e.g.

• para 1 - why this topic matters
• para 2 - defining the terms
• para 3 - outline how we approach the problem
• para 4 - approach no 1
• para 5 - pros and cons of no 1
• para 6 - approach no 2
• para 7 - pros and cons of no 2
• para 8 - overall evaluation - which is better?
• para 9 remind the reader why this matters

when you have a good idea of the previous structure, use the same structure for your document. fill in some bullet points for each section to get an idea of the overall message. if the first paragraph is too intimidating, start in the middle and get some words down on the page. you can always edit them later.

Write down every thing you can think of. Don’t worry about it making sense, or even if it’s relevant, just literally empty your head onto paper. Then start separating it out into bullet points, group similar tasks together, make a list of things to do etc. Then do a couple of things on the list, maybe choose the easiest, or the most enjoyable, or the most challenging if that’s what floats your boat, then if needed, write them up. This should lead you to the next couple of things and so on.

Could you try mind mapping to see the high level elements that you need to complete are, then all of the things that are needed to make those high level elements come together. There is online mind mapping software available but sometimes it’s easier just to get a piece of paper and a pencil and just start get some of your thoughts out of your head and then add to them as things pop into your mind so it’s no longer the big scary uneaten elephant. It doesn’t need to be paragraphs at this point, just bullet points (or titles of paragraphs) like a shopping list.

From that you can start to think about what needs to be done by whom and when.

I do 'eat the frog' when I'm procrastinating. Read up on it.

What is the purpose of the document you are trying to write? Is it a brief, a plan, a submission for funding? What do you want the reader to know or do as a result of it?

I've got a research project I have a similar issue with. It's on top of my usual work, and has an overwhelmingly large scope, so I keep panicking and procrastinating.

I've had some success with:

Make sure you are clear on the ultimate aim of the project. Keep referring back to it to ensure you haven't gone off course.

Do a skeleton structure of what each section will cover.

Gather info and just dump it in roughly.

Don't gather info for forever. Get to a point where you have a decent amount and start shaping the document. If you find you have more time you can always add in extra info. Drafting a conclusion fairly early on helped me, as I could keep referring to it to see if my mind had changed, if I needed more specific info to guide me etc,

Try and work on it at the start of the day (I am failing massively at this - leave it until after my other work, am then too tired to concentrate on it, rinse and repeat each day).

Very helpful advice - thank you very much.

Thanks again. I got stuck in a bit this am- making a bit of a structure and just getting on with it has been helpful.It’s full of bullet points.

keep going back to the aim- though that’s quite broad - ultimately information sharing really in a way others will understand as quite a specialist topic.

There isn’t a previous document like this one sadly. I will reach out to colleagues too. I’ve taken snippets from all your advice. Greenpoppy good luck with yours too- the advice to not spend too long researching was helpful and working on at the start of the days. I cheated this weekend and got stuck in - no kids and no other distractions which was helfpul too. I need to find a way to focus on it during the working day.

🙏 folks.

Well done. I'm a great believer in getting something down on paper so you have something to edit and improve on