My sister, June, is on a diet. So, naturally, she does not eat chocolate cake.
But when she is invited to a party and there is a cake on the buffet, she looks at it carefully.
One thing she hates is to see a crooked cake. That is one where the guest has taken a slice and left it uneven.
She doesn’t eat cake. She refers to herself as a “cake straightener.” It is a service to the hostess to keep things looking neat on the table.
Sometimes, the cake is crooked on both sides. An additional obligation. And she watches carefully during the evening to make sure she does her job of slicing the edges to keep the cake straight.
Of course, she thinks she is sticking to her diet. The family has teased her about this for years.
Sometimes, we have to fool ourselves to get a job done. We dutifully have made our list for the day. We do all the easy stuff right away but find ourselves putting off the big project. We are waiting for a big slot of time to get it done.
That seldom happens. It must be done and it is bothering you so which is worse – doing it or not doing it?
Start with the easiest part first. That will give you a jump start. Even if it is the end of the project. Or perhaps, just an outline.
While you are taking these first baby steps, don’t answer the phone or check your email. Turn off the television or the radio. Close your office door. Eliminate distractions.
The trick is to do the job in tiny segments. Slivers. Start with putting it in order - “straighten the cake.” One little piece at a time.
Most jobs do not have to be done in one swoop. It’s like getting your records together for your accountant at tax time. We hate this. But, the beginning is assembling and sorting records and checks we have thrown in a folder during the year.
Okay, now that you have started, do a little on your project while you are waiting for the dentist. Make a few notes while you are hanging on the phone for tech support, tied up in traffic or when a boring friend is going on and on and you feel obligated to listen. Most of these people just want your ear, not your attention.
Try not to set a deadline unless it is urgent. The trick is to keep taking little bites out of the big project and surprise! All of a sudden it comes together and it no longer requires a “big slot of time” to complete.
Of course, once you learn how to do this, you will no longer have an excuse to straighten the chocolate cake. You might have to stick to your diet and keep things organized.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite part of this article is where you accomplish projects in “bite-sizes.” That’s how I wrote the manuscript of my book (which has yet been published) and that’s how I came to do my first video. One small step at a time. Timeless advice.
So, Stephen -
Now that you have accomplished so much -
Is it time to go forward with your book. One small step at a time?
We are waiting for it. Put me down to buy the first copy!
Great post Corinne, I also love how we can have huge todo lists, but if we just tune in and ask, “What is one small thing I can do today that will lead me closer to my goal?” then, magically, a small step happens which may not even be on the todo list!
Good, strong advice that I learned years ago and that has served my business. But what I do is — always — I do the ugly one first. Then I can get on with my day.
One step at a time, definitely. It’s also best to get the steps out of the way that you DON’T want to do. When working on projects, that’s usually my first step, finish the hard boring stuff first (and do it well) so that it is done with and I don’t have to revisit it later. Then I can just work on the fun parts of the project.
Did you ever hear about asking for the “Center cut”. That’s me,and the cake. I’ll do the hardest job first and let the others take their turn. Unfortunately some turns never come up –
unless I get so annoyed seeing something lying around tobe done that I do “do it”. It’s a great life. Jerry