Friday, I wrote a blog post about focusing on one BIG thing when formulating your 2009 marketing plan - that by biting off more than you can chew - you can jeopardize your entire program.
Feedback indicated there are some people out there even intimidated by doing one BIG thing, and that you should encourage breaking down BIG projects into smaller, manageable steps. I agree. I refer to it as thinking BIG, planning SMALL.
Every person has varying degrees of skill managing large tasks/projects. Some can see the whole picture, others are weak in managing substantive tasks. I consider myself solid at marketing myself and getting new projects - but my most important goal for 2009 is strengthening my project management abilities.
But I can tell you that planning small is the key. This is as obvious as it sounds: breaking down one large task by listing many small tasks/steps that will - one step at a time - enable you to complete the BIG thing. I am not telling you anything new here.
But why do most people not do this? This phenomenon explains procrastination - this explains all-nighters - this explains missed deadlines - and this explains pressure, which is defined as the angst and stress you feel when not prepared for something.
I think I suffer from the typical small businessperson/entrepreneurial burden of wearing too many hats. But at least I have acknowledged this - and can take steps to improve on it.
I can tell you that when I break a large project down into small tasks, I find the project easy to complete. But I don't always do it. And I have no explanation. Perhaps human nature?
I think it comes down to discipline - forcing yourself to make the time to plan small. What are your tricks to accomplishing this? Share with us how you achieve this. Do you use project management software? I have walled off my basement office with whiteboard, and so I list the dozens (or more) of steps required on a board and erase when completed.
Help me share ideas and tips with others - so that we all can do BIG things in 2009!
Todd Schnick. Be Intrepid. www.intrepid-llc.com
Added bonus, Tim Ferris video about how he thinks big and plans small: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/10/06/two-short-videos-how-and-why-to-be-unreasonable-the-art-of-tweaking/#more-658
Posted in General Marketing Strategy, Intrepid Video Series